Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) 2026
EMPP is one of Canada's most innovative immigration programs — combining economic immigration with refugee status recognition. Skilled refugees abroad apply via federal or provincial economic streams with adapted criteria that recognize the practical barriers refugees face (missing documents, no proof of funds, displacement-disrupted careers). This page covers EMPP eligibility + the application sequence.
What makes EMPP unique
Most refugees come to Canada through humanitarian streams — Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR), Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR), or Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR). EMPP is different: applicants are skilled refugees who qualify for economic immigration on their merits, with adapted criteria that account for their refugee circumstances.
Adapted criteria under EMPP
- ECA flexibility — when refugees can't access original credentials, simplified assessment processes apply
- Proof of funds waivers — refugees often can't show settlement funds; EMPP either waives this or uses partner-organization-backed financial guarantees
- Document accommodation — for refugees who fled with limited documents
- Language assessment flexibility — alternative testing arrangements where standard test centres aren't accessible
Eligibility
- Refugee or displaced person abroad — UNHCR-registered, or similar refugee/displacement situation
- Skills + work experience matching a federal or provincial economic immigration stream
- Genuine intent to settle in Canada as a permanent resident
- Admissibility — security + medical clearance (standard PR criteria)
Participating economic streams
Federal
- Express Entry — FSW
- Express Entry — CEC (if Canadian work experience)
- Express Entry — FSTC (for skilled trades refugees)
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — with designated NS/NB/PEI/NL employer + provincial endorsement
Provincial Nominee Programs (most participate)
- Ontario OINP, BC PNP, AAIP Alberta, SINP Saskatchewan, MPNP Manitoba, NSNP Nova Scotia, NB PNP, PEI PNP
- Each PNP has specific EMPP designation processes; not all PNP streams are EMPP-eligible
The application sequence
- Identification — applicant is identified by an EMPP implementing partner (UNHCR, Talent Beyond Boundaries, RefugePoint, etc.)
- Skills + stream assessment — partner assesses applicant's profile against eligible streams
- Employer matching (if employer-driven stream) — partner connects applicant with Canadian employer
- EMPP application submission — through the relevant federal or provincial stream with adapted-criteria documentation
- Processing — IRCC or provincial authority processes; 12-24 months typical
- Pre-arrival support — partner organization provides settlement preparation
- Landing as PR + settlement support in Canada
EMPP implementing partners
Halani works with EMPP applicants through partnerships with implementing organizations:
- Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) — leading EMPP implementing organization
- UNHCR Canada partnership
- RefugePoint
- Jesuit Refugee Service
- Various Canadian community sponsorship organizations
Common EMPP applicant profiles
- Afghan engineers + professionals displaced post-2021 — tech, engineering, healthcare
- Syrian skilled workers in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey — engineering, IT, healthcare
- Eritrean + Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda — various skilled fields
- Venezuelan professionals displaced to Colombia, Peru, Brazil — engineering, oil/gas, healthcare
- Iranian professionals in transition
Common EMPP application challenges
- Locating documents that were lost during displacement
- Refugee status verification — must be UNHCR-registered or equivalent
- Coordinating with implementing partner + Canadian employer simultaneously
- Language testing — access to IELTS/CELPIP centres can be limited in refugee-hosting countries
- Provincial stream-specific eligibility — different from federal Express Entry
FAQ
What is EMPP?
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot — a unique IRCC program that combines economic immigration + refugee resettlement. Skilled refugees abroad apply via federal or provincial economic streams with adapted criteria (waived ECA, waived proof of funds, simplified language verification). It's not refugee resettlement — applicants come as economic immigrants but the program acknowledges their refugee status.
Who qualifies for EMPP?
Refugees + displaced persons abroad (UNHCR-registered or in similar situations) who have skills + work experience matching Canadian economic immigration streams. Must meet adapted versions of federal/provincial program requirements.
How does EMPP differ from standard refugee resettlement?
Standard refugee resettlement (GAR, PSR, BVOR) is humanitarian-focused — IRCC assesses refugee status + need. EMPP is economic-focused — IRCC assesses economic qualifications + waives certain barriers refugees face (no ECA possible because documents lost, no proof of funds because of displacement, etc.).
Which economic streams does EMPP use?
Federal: Express Entry (FSW/CEC/FSTC), Atlantic Immigration Program. Provincial: most PNPs participate (Ontario OINP, BC PNP, AAIP, MPNP, SINP, NSNP, NB PNP, PEI PNP). Each stream has adapted criteria for EMPP applicants.
What's the EMPP processing time?
Generally 12-24 months from application to PR landing — longer than standard economic pathways due to additional refugee status verification + adapted-criteria assessment. IRCC partners with implementing organizations to support EMPP applicants.
EMPP — economic PR with refugee adaptations
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) handles EMPP applications in partnership with implementing organizations. Free 15-min review.
Free EMPP Review →Related: Refugee claim · Express Entry · AIP