Canada will launch a new permanent resident pathway in 2025. This new program will build on the experience of the current Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), which has connected skilled refugees and displaced people with Canadian employers since 2018.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot was originally introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to help employers find talent while offering a durable solution for skilled refugees to resettle and contribute to the Canadian workforce. In 2023, IRCC announced that the pilot would transition to a permanent program, and the 2025-2026 Departmental Plan now confirms that this new pathway will launch before the pilot expires on December 31, 2025.
What Is The EMPP?
The EMPP has become an important route for refugees and displaced persons who want to build a life in Canada while filling critical labour gaps. The pilot allows eligible individuals to immigrate permanently through existing economic programs, creating new job opportunities for employers who struggle to find workers locally.
Since the EMPP’s launch, Canada has welcomed over 970 people through this pathway, based on the latest data covering 2019 to March 2025.
At present, the EMPP has two main options: a federal stream and a regional stream linked to other immigration programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To be eligible for either stream, applicants must prove their refugee or displaced status by providing one of five recognized documents or an assessment or referral letter from an IRCC-approved partner organization.
No matter which option they choose, applicants must submit their application while living outside Canada.
Federal EMPP
The federal version of the EMPP includes two streams—each with a set annual cap:
| Federal EMPP Streams | Annual Intake Cap |
| Job offer stream | 950 applications |
| No job offer stream | 150 applications |
Job Offer Stream: To qualify, candidates must have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer, plus at least one year of full-time work experience. They also need to meet certain education and language requirements, which vary based on the TEER category of the offered job.
No Job Offer Stream: This stream requires candidates to have at least one year of full-time work experience within the last three years in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. They must also hold a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent and prove they meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in all four language abilities.
Additionally, applicants must show proof of settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members. Note that this stream is currently closed.
It is also vital to note that Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system sorts jobs into six TEER levels, from 0 to 5, based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. TEER 0 includes the highest-skilled jobs.
Regional EMPP
Applicants who choose the regional EMPP must first be eligible for a participating AIP or PNP stream.
Basic requirements include:
- A full-time, valid job offer from a Canadian employer
- Proof of sufficient English or French language skills
- Relevant education, training, and work experience, as required by the specific program or province.
When applying through the Atlantic Immigration Program, some rules are more flexible. For example, applicants don’t need to submit an education credential assessment or specific proof of hours worked within a set time frame. They can also apply for a loan to meet settlement fund requirements.
Additional Support For EMPP Applicants
Canada will launch a new permanent resident pathway in 2025. Well, one of the big advantages of the EMPP is the extra support provided by IRCC. EMPP applicants and their dependents benefit from waived application and biometric fees, and the government covers the cost of required medical exams.
There is also dedicated settlement help for EMPP families, plus financial support for travel expenses and the right of permanent residence fee.
About Canada’s Immigration Pilots
In Canada, immigration pilots are temporary by design, usually lasting about five years. These pilots allow the federal government to test new pathways and strategies for welcoming immigrants in ways that meet Canada’s changing needs.
During the pilot period, eligible foreign nationals can apply directly for permanent residence until the pilot’s annual intake limit is reached. If a pilot is successful, as the EMPP has proven to be, it can pave the way for a permanent program, thus offering more certainty for future applicants and employers alike.
With the EMPP set to wrap up at the end of 2025, the upcoming launch of a permanent program will ensure that Canada continues to welcome skilled refugees and displaced people through a reliable, long-term pathway that strengthens communities and supports employers nationwide.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
