Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

Program Status: Ended December 31, 2025

IRCC states that the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot ended on December 31, 2025, and no new applications are accepted. Complete applications accepted into processing on or before that date continue to be processed. The federal intake caps had been 950 principal applicants for the Job Offer stream and 150 for the No Job Offer stream. As of November 6, 2026, no successor pathway has been announced.

Program Overview

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) combines refugee resettlement with economic immigration. It was designed for skilled refugees and other qualified displaced individuals who wanted to move to Canada permanently. The pilot has ended, and the sections below are kept as a historical reference.

The pilot recognized the skills of refugees and helped them immigrate through existing economic programs or specifically designed federal streams, often with adapted administrative requirements.

A Humanitarian-Economic Approach

Unlike traditional refugee resettlement, the EMPP assessed refugees as skilled workers for economic immigration to Canada.

Who Could Apply? (historical)

1. Refugee / Displaced Person Status

Applicants had to be a refugee or displaced person living outside Canada and their country of persecution. They needed one of the following:

Positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the UNHCR or a hosting state
Proof of registration as a person of concern with the UNHCR
Refugee certificate from UNRWA
Trusted Partner Referral Letter (if you don't have the above documents)

2. Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada (medical, criminal, and security checks)
Must not pose a security risk

Federal EMPP Streams

Job Offer Stream

Full-time, non-seasonal job offer in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 occupation
1 year of work experience (1,560 hours)
CLB 5 (for TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (for TEER 4-5)
Canadian high school diploma or equivalent (ECA)

No Job Offer Stream

1 year of work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
CLB 7 or higher in all 4 language skills
Canadian high school diploma or equivalent (ECA)
Proof of settlement funds

Program Features (While Open)

Existing Applications

Complete applications accepted on or before December 31, 2025 continue to be processed

No New Applications

The pilot ended on December 31, 2025 and IRCC accepts no new EMPP applications

Loan Eligibility

Applicants could access the Immigration Loans Program (ILP) for travel and settlement

Medical Coverage

Pre-departure medical services were covered by the IFHP

Trusted Partner Organizations

Applicants without official UNHCR documentation could be referred by a Trusted Partner organization. These included:

TalentLift Impact - Connects refugees with Canadian employers
Talent Beyond Boundaries - Global refugee employment platform
RefugePoint - Identifies skilled refugees for resettlement
HIAS - Jewish humanitarian organization supporting refugees
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) - Student refugee sponsorship

Alternative Pathways

The EMPP has ended. Skilled refugees may also explore:

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) - Some provinces have specific refugee streams
Express Entry - If you meet CRS requirements
Private Sponsorship - Through Groups of Five or SAH organizations
Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) - Traditional UNHCR referral process

Begin Your Global Journey Today

Ready to explore your immigration options? Our expert team in Vadodara is here to guide you every step of the way. Get a free eligibility assessment and take the first step towards your dream destination.

Get Free Assessment