Maple News reports that Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) program is offering a groundbreaking immigration route for skilled refugees and displaced people to gain permanent residency through economic immigration streams. The EMPP represents a fusion of Canada’s humanitarian commitments with its labour market strategies, enabling employers to access a global talent pool while providing life-changing opportunities to vulnerable populations.
Launched to bridge the gap between refugee resettlement and economic migration, the EMPP provides two main federal streams—the Job Offer Stream and the No Job Offer Stream—and a regional pathway through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or select Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
As of January 16, 2025, the program has paused new applications. However, its structure and benefits reflect the future direction of Canada’s inclusive immigration strategy. The EMPP simplifies processes by waiving application and biometric fees, covering medical exams, capping processing times at six months, and offering loans for travel and settlement costs. These features significantly lower barriers for both applicants and employers.
The Federal EMPP Job Offer Stream requires applicants to have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer in NOC 2021 TEER categories 0 to 5 and at least one year of paid work experience, including self-employment. Education and language requirements vary depending on job category. The No Job Offer Stream is capped at 150 applicants annually and is designed for highly skilled individuals with at least one year of paid experience in the past three years (excluding self-employment), higher language benchmarks (CLB/NCLC 7), and proof of settlement funds.
For the EMPP’s regional stream, candidates can immigrate via the Atlantic Immigration Program or PNPs if they have a job offer and meet standard education and language requirements. Notably, AIP participants are granted special exemptions, such as leniency on education credential assessments and settlement fund criteria—a flexibility not available through PNPs.
To qualify as an EMPP applicant, individuals must be recognized as refugees or displaced persons. This requires documentation such as a positive Refugee Status Determination from UNHCR or a host country, UNHCR or UNRWA registration, Temporary Protected Status with proof, or a referral from an authorized EMPP partner organization.
Employers in Canada gain not only access to a previously untapped talent pool but also extensive support from EMPP partner organizations. These NGOs—including Talent Beyond Boundaries, Jumpstart Refugee Talent, and TalentLift—assist with recruitment, immigration procedures, and post-arrival settlement, easing integration for both employers and candidates.
Although temporarily paused, the EMPP is expected to play a significant role in future immigration plans, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to compassionate yet strategic immigration policies. For many refugees and displaced individuals, the program offers more than legal status—it offers stability, purpose, and a pathway to rebuild their lives.
Maple News will continue monitoring developments around the EMPP and similar initiatives as Canada evolves its immigration landscape to meet both humanitarian and economic goals.