To strengthen its economic immigration framework, Canada will introduce a new permanent pathway to residency in 2025, building on the foundation of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), according to a report by CIC News. The initiative aims to offer displaced individuals and skilled refugees a stable route to live and work in the country.
The announcement is part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Departmental Plan for 2025–2026. While details about eligibility criteria and program structure are still awaited, the government has confirmed that the new program will be launched before the EMPP expires on December 31, 2025.
What is the EMPP?
Launched in 2018, the EMPP links skilled refugees and displaced persons with Canadian employers through economic immigration programs. To date, nearly 970 individuals have settled in Canada under this initiative, according to official data from 2019 to March 2025.
Currently, the EMPP offers both federal and regional streams. The regional pathway works through either the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or Provincial Nominee Program ( PNP), while the federal stream operates through two tracks: a job offer stream and a no job offer stream.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate their refugee or displaced status via approved documentation or referrals from IRCC-recognized partners. All applications must be submitted from outside Canada.
Federal EMPP streams
The job offer stream allows applicants with full-time employment offers from Canadian employers to apply, provided they have at least one year of work experience, as well as sufficient education and language proficiency based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories.
The no job offer stream is targeted at individuals with high-skilled work experience (TEER 0–3) and adequate educational qualifications, in addition to meeting Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 standards in all four language skills. This stream is currently closed.
Regional EMPP requirements
Applicants must first meet provincial or territorial eligibility under AIP or PNP and then apply through the EMPP. Requirements include a full-time job offer, language proficiency in English or French, and adequate educational or professional background. Certain flexibilities exist under AIP, for example, waivers on credential assessments and work-hour specifics, along with access to loans for settlement funds.
Support and waivers
To reduce barriers, IRCC covers application and biometric fees for EMPP applicants and their dependents. Costs for medical exams are also covered. The federal government further assists with travel costs and settlement services, including a waiver for the right of permanent residence fee.
From pilot to permanent
Immigration pilots like the EMPP are time-limited programs, generally designed to operate over five years. They serve as testing grounds for new policies and, when successful, may transition into permanent programs. The EMPP’s evolution into a long-term immigration channel follows this pattern and is aligned with Canada’s broader strategy to address labour market gaps while offering humanitarian support.
The federal government has not yet disclosed when full details of the new permanent pathway will be released, but the decision signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to using immigration as a tool for both economic growth and global responsibility.
The announcement is part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Departmental Plan for 2025–2026. While details about eligibility criteria and program structure are still awaited, the government has confirmed that the new program will be launched before the EMPP expires on December 31, 2025.
What is the EMPP?
Launched in 2018, the EMPP links skilled refugees and displaced persons with Canadian employers through economic immigration programs. To date, nearly 970 individuals have settled in Canada under this initiative, according to official data from 2019 to March 2025.
Currently, the EMPP offers both federal and regional streams. The regional pathway works through either the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or Provincial Nominee Program ( PNP), while the federal stream operates through two tracks: a job offer stream and a no job offer stream.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate their refugee or displaced status via approved documentation or referrals from IRCC-recognized partners. All applications must be submitted from outside Canada.
Federal EMPP streams
The job offer stream allows applicants with full-time employment offers from Canadian employers to apply, provided they have at least one year of work experience, as well as sufficient education and language proficiency based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories.
The no job offer stream is targeted at individuals with high-skilled work experience (TEER 0–3) and adequate educational qualifications, in addition to meeting Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 standards in all four language skills. This stream is currently closed.
Regional EMPP requirements
Applicants must first meet provincial or territorial eligibility under AIP or PNP and then apply through the EMPP. Requirements include a full-time job offer, language proficiency in English or French, and adequate educational or professional background. Certain flexibilities exist under AIP, for example, waivers on credential assessments and work-hour specifics, along with access to loans for settlement funds.
Support and waivers
To reduce barriers, IRCC covers application and biometric fees for EMPP applicants and their dependents. Costs for medical exams are also covered. The federal government further assists with travel costs and settlement services, including a waiver for the right of permanent residence fee.
From pilot to permanent
Immigration pilots like the EMPP are time-limited programs, generally designed to operate over five years. They serve as testing grounds for new policies and, when successful, may transition into permanent programs. The EMPP’s evolution into a long-term immigration channel follows this pattern and is aligned with Canada’s broader strategy to address labour market gaps while offering humanitarian support.
The federal government has not yet disclosed when full details of the new permanent pathway will be released, but the decision signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to using immigration as a tool for both economic growth and global responsibility.
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