Closed: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

Canada•North America

Closed

Closed: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

Closed to new applications — December 31, 2025

Closed to new applications as of December 31, 2025. IRCC announced January 11, 2026 that intake was suspended due to an inventory backlog exceeding 4,000 files in process and more than 8,000 places allocated under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Pending complete files continue to be processed. No resumption date announced.

At a Glance

Processing Time

6 months

Application Fee

600 CAD

Stay Duration

Permanent Residence

Not renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

No job offer needed

Remote work not required

Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

The Canadian EMPP granted permanent residence to skilled refugees and displaced people living outside Canada and their country of persecution. Application and biometrics fees were waived; only the 600 CAD Right of Permanent Residence Fee applied, coverable by an Immigration Loan.

Most applications were processed within 6 months. No job offer was required for one stream; a job offer unlocked higher TEER occupations. Spouses and dependent children could be included in the same PR application. The program closed to new applications on December 31, 2025.

This visa is ideal for UNHCR-recognized refugees with skilled work experience who wanted a low-cost direct path to Canadian permanent residence without leaving a third country.

Fee Breakdown

Application fee0 CAD

Biometrics fee0 CAD

Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)600 CAD

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a refugee or displaced person living outside of Canada and your country of persecution.

Must provide valid proof of status (UNHCR Refugee Status Determination, UNHCR Person of Concern document, UNRWA registration, or a referral letter from an approved EMPP partner NGO).

Must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the economic immigration streams (e.g. EMPP Federal Skilled Worker, EMPP Canadian Experience Class, or regional PNP/AIP pathways).

Must be admissible to Canada (security and medical clearance).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

Secondary school credential (for the No Job Offer stream; varies for the Job Offer stream depending on the TEER category of the job offer) or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Refugee Status Determination (RSD) or UNHCR/UNRWA registration document or partner referral letter.

Valid passport or travel document.

Job offer letter (if applying through an employer-led stream).

Language test results (showing minimum CLB level).

Educational credentials or ECA report.

Proof of work experience.

Application Process

Step 1: Check eligibility for the EMPP and economic immigration streams.

Step 2: Obtain proof of refugee or displaced status (e.g., RSD, UNHCR certificate, or partner referral letter).

Step 3: Apply through an EMPP partner organization or directly if you have a job offer.

Step 4: Prepare and submit your PR application online under the EMPP stream.

Step 5: Pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (or apply for an Immigration Loan) and undergo medical/security checks.

Step 6: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon approval.

Verified Claims (19)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Step 1: Check eligibility for the EMPP and economic immigration streams.; Step 2: Obtain proof of re…

canada.ca

Dependent Visa

Accompanying family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) can be included in the applicati…

canada.ca

Discontinued

true

canada.ca

Discontinued Note

Closed to new applications as of December 31, 2025. IRCC announced January 11, 2026 that intake was …

visahq.com

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 0 CAD; Biometrics fee: 0 CAD; Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): 600 CAD

canada.ca

Fee Breakdown · Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) · amount

600

canada.ca

Fees

Application and biometrics fees are waived. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is 600 CAD, …

canada.ca

Included Nationalities

All nationalities (must be a refugee or displaced person living outside of Canada and their country …

canada.ca

Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

This visa is ideal for UNHCR-recognized refugees with skilled work experience who wanted a low-cost direct path to Canadian permanent residence without leaving a third country.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a refugee or displaced person living outside of Canada and your country of persecution.

Must provide valid proof of status (UNHCR Refugee Status Determination, UNHCR Person of Concern document, UNRWA registration, or a referral letter from an approved EMPP partner NGO).

Must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the economic immigration streams (e.g. EMPP Federal Skilled Worker, EMPP Canadian Experience Class, or regional PNP/AIP pathways).

Must be admissible to Canada (security and medical clearance).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

Secondary school credential (for the No Job Offer stream; varies for the Job Offer stream depending on the TEER category of the job offer) or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Refugee Status Determination (RSD) or UNHCR/UNRWA registration document or partner referral letter.

Valid passport or travel document.

Job offer letter (if applying through an employer-led stream).

Language test results (showing minimum CLB level).

Educational credentials or ECA report.

Proof of work experience.

Application Process