Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

Overview

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is an innovative program designed to provide a durable solution for skilled refugees and other displaced individuals by enabling them to immigrate to Canada through existing economic immigration pathways. Recognizing the talents and resourcefulness of these individuals, the EMPP aims to remove barriers often faced in traditional immigration processes, allowing them to use their skills to address Canada's labour market needs.

How it works

The EMPP operates by identifying displaced individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for certain economic immigration programs and connecting them with Canadian employers looking to fill specific labour shortages. It offers facilitative measures, such as waiving some application fees or providing access to pre-arrival services, to ease the immigration process. The pilot also works with partner organizations to help candidates prepare for employment in Canada and navigate the immigration system. Candidates are assessed based on their education, work experience, and language proficiency, similar to other economic streams, but with considerations for their unique circumstances as displaced persons.

Who it's for

This pilot is specifically for skilled refugees and other displaced individuals who possess in-demand work experience and who meet the requirements of one of Canada's economic immigration programs. It is for those who have faced persecution or displacement and are seeking a safe and stable environment where they can rebuild their lives and contribute their skills to the Canadian economy. The EMPP is not a standalone immigration program but rather a pathway that leverages existing economic streams for a specific cohort of individuals.

To be eligible for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), candidates must meet several key criteria, combining elements of refugee status with economic immigration requirements:

• Refugee or Displaced Status: Applicants must be recognized as a refugee by the UNHCR or a host state, or be otherwise displaced due to conflict or persecution in their country of origin. This is a foundational eligibility requirement for all EMPP candidates.

• Eligibility for an Economic Immigration Program: Candidates must meet the criteria for an existing federal or provincial economic immigration program. Common pathways include the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or specific streams within Express Entry designed for skilled workers. The specific requirements (e.g., age, education, work experience, language proficiency) of the chosen economic program must be satisfied.

• Work Experience: Applicants generally need to have relevant work experience in an occupation that matches an in-demand labour market need in Canada. The type and duration of work experience will be dictated by the specific economic program they are applying through.

• Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in English or French is crucial. Candidates must meet the minimum language requirements of the economic immigration program they are pursuing, typically proven through recognized language tests such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF or TCF for French.

• Education: Educational qualifications commensurate with the requirements of the targeted economic program are necessary. This often involves an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify foreign credentials against Canadian standards.

• Settlement Funds: Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival in Canada, unless they have a valid job offer that exempts them from this requirement in certain programs.

• Admissibility to Canada: All applicants must be admissible to Canada, meaning they must not have any criminal or serious medical inadmissibility issues. Standard background checks and medical examinations are part of the application process.

• Proof of Refugee Status: UNHCR refugee certificate, official refugee status recognition from a host country, or other official documentation confirming displaced status.
• Identity Documents: Valid passport or other travel document, birth certificate, and national identity cards.
• Educational Documents: Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• Work Experience Documents: Letters of employment, reference letters, pay stubs, and employment contracts detailing duties and duration.
• Language Proficiency Results: Official results from recognized language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, PTE for English; TEF, TCF for French).
• Police Certificates: From all countries where the applicant has resided for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Examination Results: Completed by an IRCC-approved panel physician.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements, investment certificates, or other evidence demonstrating sufficient settlement funds.
• Job Offer (if applicable): Valid job offer from a Canadian employer, especially for programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program or specific Provincial Nominee streams.
• Family Information: Marriage certificates, birth certificates for dependants, and other documents proving family relationships.

The application process for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) involves several key stages, integrating elements of economic immigration with facilitative measures for displaced individuals:

1. Determine Eligibility for an Economic Program: The first step is to assess if you meet the eligibility criteria for one of Canada's economic immigration programs, such as specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or federal skilled worker streams. This often involves having in-demand work experience and meeting language requirements.

2. Referral and Identification: Connect with an EMPP partner organization (e.g., UNHCR, TalentLift, RefugePoint) who can assess your suitability for the pilot and help you identify potential employers in Canada. These organizations play a crucial role in supporting displaced individuals throughout the process.

3. Secure a Job Offer (if required): For many economic programs, particularly PNPs and the AIP, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer is a prerequisite. EMPP partner organizations can assist in matching eligible candidates with Canadian employers. The employer typically needs to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if required by the program, although some streams offer LMIA exemptions for EMPP candidates.

4. Apply for a Provincial Nomination or Endorsement: If pursuing a Provincial Nominee Program, you will need to apply to the province or territory for nomination. For the Atlantic Immigration Program, you will seek an endorsement from an Atlantic employer.

5. Submit Permanent Residence Application: Once nominated by a province or endorsed by an Atlantic employer, or if applying through an Express Entry-aligned stream, you will submit your complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes all required documents, forms, and payment of fees.

6. Biometrics and Medical Examination: You will receive instructions to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician.

7. Security and Background Checks: IRCC will conduct security and background checks as part of the standard admissibility assessment.

8. Decision and Landing: If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if required). You can then travel to Canada to finalize your landing as a permanent resident.

Throughout this process, EMPP facilitative measures may include waiving certain fees, providing pre-arrival support, and offering flexibility in documentation requirements due to displacement circumstances.

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot allows successful applicants to include their eligible family members in their permanent residence application. Eligible family members typically include:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Your legally married spouse or common-law partner.
• Dependent Children: Your own dependent children or those of your spouse/common-law partner, who are under 22 years of age and do not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children who are 22 years or older can be considered dependent if they have been unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition and have been continuously enrolled in full-time post-secondary study since before the age of 22 (or since becoming a spouse or common-law partner if they married/entered into a common-law relationship before age 22). (Note: Specific age cut-off rules have evolved, always refer to current IRCC definitions of dependent children).

All accompanying family members must meet Canada's admissibility requirements, including undergoing medical examinations and security checks. Including family members in the initial application is generally recommended, as sponsoring them later can be a lengthier process.

Upon successful approval through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, individuals and their accompanying family members (if applicable) are granted permanent resident status in Canada. As permanent residents, they have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada without the need for a separate work permit. Permanent residents have access to most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including healthcare coverage. This open work right allows EMPP newcomers to integrate fully into the Canadian labour market, pursue their careers, and contribute to the economy without restrictions related to specific employers or occupations, beyond standard professional licensing requirements for regulated professions.

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is not a direct permanent residence program itself, but rather a facilitative pathway that helps skilled refugees and other displaced individuals gain permanent residence through existing economic immigration programs. Therefore, successful EMPP candidates do obtain Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) status directly upon approval of their application.

Once granted permanent residence, EMPP newcomers have the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent residents in Canada. This includes the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, access to social services, and protection under Canadian law. After meeting the residency requirements (physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the last 5 years), EMPP former applicants, like all permanent residents, become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. The EMPP explicitly provides a pathway to permanent residency, offering a durable solution for displaced skilled workers.

• Failure to Meet Economic Program Criteria: Not satisfying the specific requirements of the underlying economic immigration program (e.g., insufficient language proficiency, lack of relevant work experience, education not equivalent to Canadian standards).
• Inadmissibility: Medical inadmissibility (e.g., a serious health condition that could endanger public health or safety, or cause excessive demand on health or social services) or criminal inadmissibility (e.g., past convictions, serious criminal activity).
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or concealing material facts in the application documents or during an interview. This can lead to a multi-year ban from applying to Canada.
• Lack of Genuine Job Offer (if applicable): The job offer is not genuine, or the employer does not meet IRCC's requirements.
• Insufficient Funds: Failure to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, especially if not exempt due to a qualifying job offer.
• Incomplete Application: Missing required documents or forms, leading to processing delays or outright refusal.
• Failure to Prove Refugee/Displaced Status: Inability to provide adequate documentation or evidence confirming their refugee or displaced person status as required by the EMPP.