Empowering Refugees: An Inside Look at Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot or EMPP is a great opportunity for both Refugees looking to settle permanently in Canada and employers looking to hire skilled workers in different fields. The Immigration Refugee and Citizenship IRCC has launched this program in 2018 and until today, it is making a unique impact on the immigration process.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot 2024
Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot has been an interesting choice for refugees and displaced people looking to make Canada their new home and legally acquire their permanent residency. The EMPP works in 2 certain ways:
- You are a refugee or displaced looking to Immigrate to Canada: As a refugee, Canada will determine your eligibility based on your Education, Skills, work history, and language skills.
- You are an employer looking to benefit from the talents and skills of skilled refugees and Immigrants: As an employer, you have access to a pool of skilled talents that you see qualified and eventually hire.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Apply as a Refugee for EMPP
Canada has made recent updates to the program to make it accessible for immigrants looking to apply as Refugee for EMPP. The update includes 2 ways:
- Regional EMPP: You must be eligible to apply for one of the 3 selected programs: Provincial Nomination Program PNP, Atlantic Immigration Program AIP, and Rural and Northern Immigration Program (This program has stopped accepting applications). But prior to applying for one of these programs, you must have applied for a Province or Territory.
- Federal EMPP: This way includes ( a job offer Stream, No Job Offer Stream), but the government focuses more on your Work Experience, Education, and language skills.
EMPP Canada requirements
There are general and specific requirements for the EMPP program. If you are applying for EMPP, you must be eligible for the following requirements:
- You Must be a Refugee or a displaced person:
To prove you are a Refugee or a displaced person, you must have at least one document from the below-mentioned documents:
- a positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the UN Refugee Agency or a refugee-hosting state
- proof you’re registered or recorded as a person of concern by the UN Refugee Agency
- a refugee certificate from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine in the Near East (UNRWA)
- proof of being registered or recorded as a person of concern with UNRWA
- proof you have temporary protected status and a copy of the completed durable solution information form (IMM 0195)
What if I don’t have any of these documents or I don’t have access to it? Well, you have an alternative. This alternative includes contacting one of Canada’s Trusted Partners in order to assess your eligibility, and once you are found to be eligible, they will issue a referral letter that enables you to apply for EMPP.
NOTE/ Please note that you must be outside Canada to be eligible to apply for EMPP
- Meet the specific criteria based on how you will apply (Federal or Regional)
Let’s break down each of the streams:
Apply Through Federal EMPP
The Federal EMPP accepts applications based on your Work experience, Language Skills, and education. You must apply for 1 of the 2 main streams:
- Job offer Stream.
- No job offer Stream.
Both of these streams have different eligibility criteria.
Apply through Regional / Economic EMPP
One of the following economic immigration Programs must be available to you:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Applications for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) are no longer being accepted.
To be eligible for one of these prgrams, you need to have:
- Work experience, education.
- Experience in either French or English.
- A full-time job offer from a Canadian firm.
To submit an application for RNIP or AIP.
You are exempt from some eligibility requirements for these programs as part of the EMPP:
You don’t have to provide evidence that you put in the required number of hours during the specified times. Instead, all that’s required is proof that you put in the same amount of time at work before you apply.
Benefits of applying for EMPP for Refugees
Applying through the EMPP Program has many benefits, including:
- Most cases are reviewed within 6 months only.
- You will have access to the Immigration Loans Program, which basically helps you with travel expenses, Pre-arrival services, and settling in Canada through accessing the EMPP-specific Canadian Orientation Abroad Program.
- No application or biometric fees for you and your dependents.
- Medical Exam costs are covered through the Interim Federal Health Program.
How Can I start my EMPP application?
Both regional and Federal EMPPs have different applications. Once you determine your eligibility, you can choose which program to apply. Do you need help applying for EMPP? Apply NOW!
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), which combines humanitarian objectives with economic opportunities, is a creative method to refugee resettlement. The program gives qualified refugees a rare opportunity to start over in a new nation; for Canada, it addresses labour shortages and promotes economic expansion. The EMPP is expected to have a significant impact on Canada’s immigration scene as it grows, providing fresh opportunities for success for both Canadians and refugees.
