Immigrate to Canada as a Healthcare Aide
Home support workers, healthcare aides and related occupations (NOC 33102) are TEER 3 and have featured in healthcare category Express Entry draws, plus LMIA and PNP routes.
Healthcare aides, orderlies and related support workers fall under NOC 33102 (TEER 3). TEER 3 rules out the Federal Skilled Worker Program directly, but this occupation has appeared in healthcare category-based Express Entry draws, and many aides pathway through an LMIA-supported caregiving or long-term-care job offer, provincial nominee streams, or the Canadian Experience Class after gaining Canadian work experience.
Key facts
| NOC code | 33102 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 3 — not FSW-eligible |
| Main routes | LMIA work permit, PNP healthcare streams, CEC after Canadian experience |
| Category draws | Healthcare occupations have been targeted — verify current category list |
| Licensing | Not licensed as a regulated profession, but employer/facility certification requirements vary |
Who may qualify?
- Personal support workers and healthcare aides with documented paid experience
- Applicants with a genuine long-term-care or home-support job offer
- Workers already in Canada on a caregiver or healthcare work permit applying under CEC
- Applicants targeting provinces with dedicated healthcare worker nominee streams
Eligibility requirements
- Documented experience matching NOC 33102 duties
- Approved language test results at the level required for the chosen route
- Relevant training or certificate where required by the employer or province
- Employer support and, where applicable, an LMIA
How it works: step by step
- 1
Confirm the correct NOC
Healthcare aide duties can sometimes overlap with nursing-adjacent codes; the reference letter must match 33102 duties precisely.
- 2
Secure a genuine employer
Long-term-care facilities and home-care agencies are the most common LMIA sponsors for this occupation.
- 3
Check category-based eligibility
Confirm whether healthcare aides are included in the current round before relying on Express Entry alone.
- 4
Consider a provincial healthcare stream
Several provinces prioritize care workers given ongoing labour shortages.
Expert insight
This occupation moves fastest with a real employer attached. Applicants who wait for an Express Entry category draw without an employer or provincial connection often wait far longer than those who pursue an LMIA-backed offer first.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.