Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) offers skilled refugees and displaced people a unique opportunity to immigrate permanently through economic immigration programs. By connecting Canadian employers with a global pool of qualified candidates, the EMPP supports both humanitarian goals and labour market needs. The pilot simplifies processes, waives fees, and shortens processing times – making it an important innovation in Canada’s immigration system.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- How the EMPP supports skilled refugee immigration
- Federal and regional EMPP stream details and eligibility
- Benefits for applicants and employers
- Requirements for work experience, education, and language
- Frequently asked questions about Canada’s EMPP
What Is the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot?
The EMPP enables skilled refugees and displaced individuals to immigrate to Canada through existing economic immigration streams. It offers two pathways:
- Federal EMPP, which includes a Job Offer stream and a No Job Offer stream
- Regional EMPP, which allows applications through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The EMPP is not a resettlement program. It is an economic immigration pathway for individuals who meet refugee or displaced person status and can contribute to Canada’s workforce.
Key Benefits of the EMPP
Applicants and their families benefit from several cost-saving and fast-track provisions:
- Waived application and biometric fees
- Government-covered medical exam costs
- Six-month processing target
- Access to loans for travel, settlement costs, and the permanent residence fee
- Special Canadian Orientation Abroad support
- Assistance from non-governmental partners at every stage
Federal EMPP Streams
Job Offer Stream
To qualify, applicants must have:
- A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in a job under NOC 2021 TEER categories 0 to 5
- At least one year of paid, full-time experience (1,560 hours), including self-employment
- Language scores of CLB/NCLC 5 (TEER 0–3) or CLB/NCLC 4 (TEER 4–5)
- Education aligned with the TEER level of the job offer, from secondary school to university level, depending on the occupation
No Job Offer Stream
This stream, capped at 150 applications per year, requires:
- At least one year of full-time, paid experience in TEER 0–3 within the last 3 years (excluding self-employment)
- Language scores of CLB/NCLC 7 in all abilities
- A Canadian secondary school credential or a foreign equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment
- Proof of settlement funds, which can include loans, gifts, or income
Regional EMPP Streams
Applicants can also qualify through the Atlantic Immigration Program or a Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates must:
- Be eligible for the respective program (AIP or PNP)
- Hold a job offer
- Demonstrate language ability and education matching job requirements
AIP applicants under EMPP benefit from exemptions, including:
- No need for an Educational Credential Assessment
- Relaxed work hour timelines
- Ability to use loans for settlement funds
Note: These exemptions do not apply to PNP applicants, as provinces and territories set their own requirements.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be refugees or displaced individuals living outside Canada and must provide one of the following:
- A positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from UNHCR or a host state
- UNHCR or UNRWA registration documents
- Temporary Protected Status with supporting documentation
- A referral letter from an approved EMPP partner organisation
EMPP Partner Organisations
Non-governmental organisations support candidates and employers throughout the process. Key partners include:
- Talent Beyond Boundaries
- TalentLift
- Jumpstart Refugee Talent
- RefugePoint
- HIAS
- Focus Humanitarian Assistance
- World University Service of Canada
- International Rescue Committee
These organisations help identify talent, match them with Canadian employers, guide the immigration process, and assist with post-arrival settlement.
For Employers
Employers benefit from:
- Access to a new pool of global talent
- Help from NGOs for recruitment and onboarding
- Expedited six-month application processing
- Support in navigating the hiring and settlement process
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)?
The EMPP is a Canadian immigration pathway for skilled refugees and displaced people. It allows them to apply for permanent residence through economic immigration programs with simplified requirements and support from partner organisations.
Do I need a job offer to apply under the EMPP?
Not always. The federal EMPP has a No Job Offer stream capped at 150 applications per year. However, most EMPP streams require a full-time, non-seasonal Canadian job offer.
What are the main benefits of applying through the EMPP?
Applicants benefit from waived fees, fast processing (6 months or less), government-covered medical exams, and access to loans for travel, settlement, and the permanent residence fee.
Can Canadian employers hire through the EMPP?
Yes. Employers can hire skilled refugees and displaced persons through the EMPP and receive support from NGOs to recruit, onboard, and settle their new hires in Canada.
Who qualifies as a refugee or displaced person under the EMPP?
To qualify, applicants must prove their refugee or displaced status through UNHCR, UNRWA, or a trusted EMPP partner organisation. They must also be living outside of Canada at the time of application.
