Canada Shuts Two Key Immigration Pathways

Canada Shuts Two Key Immigration Pathways: What Home Care Workers and Entrepreneurs Must Know for 2026

Canada has announced two major immigration policy changes that will significantly impact future permanent residence applicants. In a move that signals a broader reshaping of its immigration system, the federal government has confirmed the long-term closure of home care worker PR pilots and the winding down of the Start-Up Visa Program for entrepreneurs.

These changes affect two very different groups – caregivers and business founders – but together they reflect Canada’s shift toward tighter, more targeted immigration pathways starting in 2026.

Also Read Canada Resets Its Immigration Strategy: Caregiver PR Routes and Start-Up Visas Phased Out

Home Care Worker PR Pilots Officially Closed Until 2030

One of the most impactful announcements concerns the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, which were expected by many to reopen in 2026. Canada has now confirmed that this will not happen.

According to newly issued Ministerial Instructions published in the Canada Gazette, the government will not accept any new applications under these pilots from March 31, 2026, through March 30, 2030.

What Were These Programs?

The Home Care Worker pilots included two separate streams:

• Home Child Care Provider Pilot
  
• Home Support Worker Pilot
  

These programs were launched in March 2025 to provide a direct pathway to permanent residence for caregivers working in private households.

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Why This Is a Major Shift

The pilots were originally designed to run for one year and were expected to reopen after their initial intake period. However, demand far exceeded expectations.

Both programs reached their application caps within hours of opening on the first day, leaving thousands of eligible workers unable to apply.

These pathways required applicants to have:

• A valid job offer in home care or childcare
  
• Minimum education credentials
  
• Basic English or French language proficiency
  
• Relevant work experience or training
  

Because applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis, many qualified candidates missed out despite meeting all criteria.

With the pilots now closed well beyond 2026, caregivers planning to immigrate to Canada will need to explore alternative pathways, such as:

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  
• Employer-driven work permits that may later lead to PR
  
• Any future caregiver-specific programs introduced by IRCC
  

At present, no replacement caregiver PR program has been announced.

Canada Closes the Start-Up Visa Program to New Applicants

The second major update directly affects entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and business immigrants.

Canada has confirmed that it is closing the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program to new applications, marking a significant shift in business immigration policy.

What’s Changing for the Start-Up Visa?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced:

• No new Start-Up Visa work permit applications will be accepted, except extensions for applicants already in Canada
  
• New Start-Up Visa PR applications will stop after December 31
  
• Applicants who already received a valid commitment certificate from a designated organisation in 2025 can still apply for PR—but only until June 30, 2026
  

In addition, Canada is continuing its pause on the Self-Employed Persons Program, which has remained closed since April 2024.

Why Canada Is Phasing Out These Business Pathways

The federal government has stated that these closures are part of a broader transition toward a new, more focused entrepreneur immigration pilot, expected to be announced sometime in 2026.

The decision follows widespread criticism of the Start-Up Visa Program, particularly in 2025, when processing backlogs became severe. In some cases, applicants were facing waiting periods of up to 10 years for permanent residence.

According to IRCC, the changes aim to:

• Reduce long-standing application backlogs
  
• Modernise Canada’s business immigration framework
  
• Align immigration policy with Canada’s Talent Attraction Strategy
  
• Better support economic priorities under the latest Immigration Levels Plan
  

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What These Closures Mean for Future PR Applicants

Together, these two announcements indicate a clear direction: Canada is moving away from broad, high-volume pilot programs and toward more selective, targeted immigration pathways.

For affected applicants:

• Home care workers will need to plan for alternative routes, likely through provincial or employer-supported programs
  
• Entrepreneurs and founders should closely watch for the launch of the new entrepreneur pilot in 2026 and reassess their current business immigration strategies
  

Staying informed and adapting early will be critical, especially as Canada continues to recalibrate its immigration system amid labour shortages, housing pressures, and economic priorities.

Final Takeaway

Canada’s immigration landscape is undergoing significant change. The closure of home care worker PR pilots and the Start-Up Visa Program marks the end of two well-known pathways – but also signals the arrival of new, redesigned programs in the near future.

For those planning to move to Canada, 2026 will be a pivotal year. Understanding these changes now can help applicants prepare smarter, faster, and more strategically for what comes next.