Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is intended for skilled refugees to immigrate to Canada via existing economic programs.
For more information about the EMPP, how you can qualify for it, and any other questions you may have about emigrating to Canada, speak to one of our legal advisers on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
Page Contents
- Overview of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
- Who Can Apply Through the EMPP?
- What’s the Application Process for the EMPP?
- How Do I Apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
- How Do I Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program?
- How Do I Apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?
- How Do I Apply for the EMPP?
- What Documents Do I Need to Submit With the EMPP Application?
- What are the Fees and Processing Times for the EMPP?
- What Happens After I Apply?
- Why Might My Application Be Delayed?
- What Happens After My Application is Approved?
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is a program that helps skilled refugees and their families immigrate to Canada through one of Canada’s economic immigration programs. It is operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the now-defunct Refugee Affairs Branch in conjunction with the United Nations Refugee Agency.
As well as opening up immigration opportunities for refugees, it also gives Canadian employers a wider pool of prospective candidates to fill Canadian labour market needs.
Skilled refugees can use the EMPP to apply for one of the following complementary labour mobility pathways:
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
The EMPP opened on 3 December 2021 and will settle up to 500 refugees and their families in Canada.
Update: In March 2023, IRCC announced that a new, standalone federal pathway for the EMPP will be starting in the summer of 2023. For more information about this new pathway, check this page again soon or reach out to one of Total Law’s immigration advisers for the most up-to-date information on the EMPP and other forms of Canadian immigration. Call us on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
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Who Can Apply Through the EMPP?
In order to be eligible for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, you must fulfil the following requirements:
- You’re a convention or country of asylum refugee
- You have one of these documents:
- A valid, positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a refugee-hosting state
- A document that shows you’re a registered or recorded asylum seeker abroad
- A “person of concern” letter issued by the UNHCR for the EMPP
- You’re outside Canada and your country of persecution
- You have no durable solution in a third country
- You’re admissible to Canada
You must also be eligible to apply for one of the three participating economic immigration pathways.
What’s the Application Process for the EMPP?
To apply for an economic immigration program through the EMPP, you must complete and submit two application forms:
- One application for one of the existing economic immigration programs:
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
- And a second application for the EMPP
You must submit both of these application forms together.
You may choose to complete these applications yourself, or you may use a legal representative to complete them on your behalf if you wish.
Total Law can assist if you require a legal representative to help you with your EMPP application. Reach out to one of our legal advisers for more information on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
How Do I Apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program?
Before you Apply for the Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) allows foreign skilled workers to live and work in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces.
Before applying for the AIP, you must first ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for this program. Visit our page on the Atlantic Immigration Program for more details.
The following exemptions will apply to you as an EMPP applicant:
- You won’t need to prove you worked the number of hours asked for in the 5 years listed. Instead, you only need to show you worked the same number of hours in general, before you apply
- You may apply for a loan to meet the requirement of having enough money to support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
- You won’t need to provide a police certificate with your application (you’ll be asked for one by IRCC if you need to provide one)
- You won’t need to pay:
- Application fees
- Biometrics fees
You will need to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee. If you need to, you may apply for a loan through the Immigration Loans program to cover this fee. If you don’t need a loan, it’s recommended that you pay this fee and include a copy of your receipt with your application to avoid delays.
Get a Job Offer That Meets the Program Requirements
To be eligible for the AIP, you must have a job offer from a designated employer in a participating province.
The province must also endorse your job offer before you complete your AIP permanent residence application. This will normally be handled by your employer.
Once your job offer is endorsed, you can complete your AIP permanent residence application.
Complete Your Atlantic Immigration Program Application
You will need to fill in a number of forms as part of your AIP application, including the Document Checklist (IMM 0155), which ensures you have included all the necessary supporting documents with your application.
Your employer will also need to fill in a form for you to include in your application.
In the Document Checklist, you will be asked for a police certificate and proof of fee payment. In these sections, you will need to write “This item is not required as indicated on the EMPP checklist”, as you don’t need to include these in your application.
Once you’ve completed your AIP application, you can move on to complete your EMPP application.
How Do I Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program?
Before You Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces to set their own eligibility criteria to select and nominate candidates for permanent residency.
Before you can apply for this route via the EMPP, you must:
- Meet the requirements of one of the participating provincial or territorial streams, and
- Be nominated by that province or territory
The following provinces and territories participate in the EMPP:
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Yukon
Before applying for the PNP, you must contact one of the participating provinces or territories directly to apply for nomination. Visit our page on the Provincial Nominee Program for more information.
Apply for Permanent Residence
Once you’ve been nominated by a province or territory, you can apply for permanent residence. You must apply for this on paper.
The following exemptions will apply to you as an EMPP applicant:
- You won’t need to provide a police certificate with your application (you’ll be asked for one by IRCC if you need to provide one)
- You won’t need to pay:
- Application fees
- Biometrics fees
You will need to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee. If you need to, you may apply for a loan through the Immigration Loans program to cover this fee. If you don’t need a loan, it’s recommended that you pay this fee and include a copy of your receipt with your application to avoid delays.
Complete Your Provincial Nominee Program Application
You will need to fill in a number of forms as part of your PNP application, including the Document Checklist (IMM 5690), which ensures you have included all the necessary supporting documents with your application.
In the Document Checklist, you will be asked for a police certificate and proof of fee payment. In these sections, you will need to write “This item is not required as indicated on the EMPP checklist”, as you don’t need to include these in your application.
Once you’ve completed your AIP application, you can move on to complete your EMPP application.
How Do I Apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?
Before You Apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) allows foreign skilled workers to live and work in participating small towns and communities across Canada.
Before applying for the RNIP, you must first ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for this program. Visit our page on the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot for more details.
The following exemptions will apply to you as an EMPP applicant:
- You won’t need to prove you worked the number of hours asked for in the 3 years listed. Instead, you only need to show you worked the same number of hours in general, before you apply
- You may apply for a loan to meet the requirement of having enough money to support yourself and your family when you come to Canada
- You won’t need to provide a police certificate with your application (you’ll be asked for one by IRCC if you need to provide one)
- You won’t need to pay:
- Application fees
- Biometrics fees
You will need to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee. If you need to, you may apply for a loan through the Immigration Loans program to cover this fee. If you don’t need a loan, it’s recommended that you pay this fee and include a copy of your receipt with your application to avoid delays.
Find a Job in One of the Participating Communities and Apply for a Recommendation
To be eligible for the RNIP, you must have a job offer in one of the participating communities.
After receiving a job offer, you must then apply to the community you plan to live in for a recommendation. You must inform them that you’re applying through the EMPP.
Once the community approves your application, you can then complete your RNIP permanent residence application.
Complete Your Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Application
You will need to fill in a number of forms as part of your RNIP application, including the Document Checklist (IMM 5987), which ensures you have included all the necessary supporting documents with your application.
Your employer and the community recommending you will also need to fill in forms for you to include in your application.
In the Document Checklist, you will be asked for a police certificate and proof of fee payment. In these sections, you will need to write “This item is not required as indicated on the EMPP checklist”, as you don’t need to include these in your application.
Once you’ve completed your RNIP application, you can move on to complete your EMPP application.
How Do I Apply for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot?
Before you start your EMPP application, you must ensure that you’ve fully completed your application for one of the three eligible economic immigration streams.
To apply for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, you must complete and submit two forms:
- Schedule 20 – Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
- Document Checklist (IMM 0137)
The first is the main application form for the EMPP and will ask you to provide information such as your personal details and that of your family, your refugee status and your travel history.
The second form is a checklist of the supporting documents you must include with your EMPP application.
Once you’ve completed both of these forms, you will submit them with your economic immigration program application.
These applications, including all of your supporting documents, must be emailed to IRCC. The email subject must be written as EMPP application for [principal applicant’s family name, first name].
If you have to send more than 1 email because of the size of your attachments, include the total number of emails in the subject line. For example: Part 1 of 2 – EMPP application for [principal applicant’s family name, first name].
You will then need to send this to IRCC.INEMPP-PVAMERI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.
What Documents Do I Need to Submit With the EMPP Application?
You will need to include the following supporting documents with your EMPP application:
- One of the following:
- A Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a refugee-hosting state, or
- A document that shows you’re a registered or recorded asylum seeker abroad, or
- A “person of concern” letter issued by the UNHCR for the EMPP
- A copy of any and all of your identity documents
- A copy of any and all of your travel documents or passports
- If you do not have or cannot obtain a valid travel document or passport, you will need to indicate that you don’t have one in your possession
- Any other documents you wish to submit in support of your application, such as:
- Additional information to support your refugee claim
- Movement passes
- Entry or exit permits
Note that you will have to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or French into English or French to be accepted with your application.
If you need additional help and reassurance with your documents for the EMPP, Total Law offer a complete and comprehensive document checking service to give you that extra peace of mind for your application. We can sort, organise and check all your documents to ensure that they adhere to IRCC standards, For more information, call us on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
What are the Fees and Processing Times for the EMPP?
You won’t have to pay any application fees for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
In addition to this, you won’t have to pay any application fees for the Canadian economic immigration programs you’ve chosen, or fees for biometrics.
However, you must pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee, which is $CAN 515. If you need to, you may apply for a loan to cover this fee. If you don’t need a loan, it’s recommended that you pay this fee and include a copy of your receipt with your application to avoid delays.
All applications for the EMPP are usually processed in 6 months or less.
What Happens After I Apply?
After You Apply
After you submit your application by email, you should get an auto-reply email within 48 hours. You will need to make sure you save this email for your records.
If you don’t get the auto-reply, you may email IRCC to confirm if they’ve received your application. You won’t need to send your application more than once, unless you’re asked to.
Once IRCC receive your applications, they will review it in two stages.
Stage 1: Checking of Forms
In the first stage, IRCC will review your application to make sure all of the required forms have been signed and included.
If all the required forms have been signed and included, IRCC will email you (or your representative) an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR). This will include your application number and confirms that they have added your application to their system.
If any forms are missing or not signed, IRCC will email you (or your representative) to let you know that your application isn’t complete and the reasons why. You’ll either be told you can resubmit the missing documents or be asked to resubmit your application again.
In this instance, your application won’t be added to IRCC’s system and you won’t receive an AOR.
Stage 2: Review of Eligibility and Admissibility
If all your forms are signed and included, IRCC will begin processing your application.
Firstly, your application will then be assessed to determine if it’s eligible for the EMPP. This is done to ensure you can access the facilitation measures the EMPP offers for your immigration program application.
You and your family members may also be asked by IRCC to attend an interview. If so, you and your family members will also have to give your biometrics in the form of your fingerprints and photographs at this interview.
If you’re not found to be eligible for the EMPP at this stage, you’ll be informed of this along with reasons why. You will be able to resubmit another EMPP application if you wish.
After your application is approved for the EMPP, IRCC will check that it’s eligible for the economic immigration program you’ve applied to.
If your application is found to be eligible for your program, it will then be checked to make sure you’re admissible to Canada. For this, you will have to pass the following:
- A medical exam
- Security checks
- Criminality checks
Both you and your family members must complete immigration medical exams. These must only be completed when IRCC instruct you to.
Why Might My Application Be Delayed?
The processing of your application may be delayed for a number of reasons. For example, it might be delayed if:
- Your contact information is missing or out-of-date
- Your application is incomplete
- The documents you send:
- Are unclear or don’t meet specifications
- Don’t have a certified English or French translation
- There are any criminal or security problems, or more background checks need to be carried out
- Your family situation isn’t clear or has changed and you didn’t notify IRCC (this could include a divorce, an adoption that isn’t complete or child custody issues that haven’t been resolved)
- The processing office has to contact other IRCC offices in or outside Canada to confirm the information you provided
- You don’t include your application number when you contact IRCC
- There are any issues getting an exit permit for the country you’re living in
It’s important that you ensure that your application adheres to the guidelines so it can be processed as quickly as possible. If you need any further assistance in putting together your EMPP application or documents, reach out to Total Law on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
What Happens After My Application is Approved?
If your application is approved, IRCC will issue you and your family members the following:
- A visa for travel to Canada or a single journey travel document that will allow you travel to Canada (if you don’t have a valid passport)
- A confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
You will need to ensure that you’ve paid your Right of Permanent Residence fee at this point if you haven’t already.
If you’ve noted that you would like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to arrange your transportation to Canada, IRCC will let the IOM know. IOM will then contact you directly with more information.
If the country you live in requires you to get an exit permit, you must apply and pay for this before you can leave for Canada.
Before you arrive in Canada, you’ll receive general orientation information about what life is like in Canada. This will help you prepare for your move and connect you with free services in Canada that will help you settle.
You will also receive refugee resettlement services after you arrive in Canada to help you and your family:
- Learn or improve English and French
- Find a job (if you don’t have one already)
- Find activities in your new community
How Can Total Law Help?
The EMPP serves as a valuable route for skilled refugees and their families to obtain permanent residency through one of Canada’s economic immigration programs. It’s also a useful way for Canada to fill gaps in local employment and meet Canadian labour market needs.
If you’re an economic immigrant looking to emigrate and settle in Canada, Total Law can help with the immigration process.
We can help you navigate the EMPP application process and help you successfully apply for your economic immigration program of your choice. We can help you complete the necessary forms, gather documentation and help build your case as a skilled foreign worker who would be beneficial to Canada’s workforce and economy.
We can also help you settle into your new home after your application is approved and help you travel to Canada safely and access the services you need once you emigrate.
For more information about the services we offer and what we can do for you, reach out to one of our expert immigration advisers on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quebec immigration programs such as the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program are not eligible under the EMPP. If you wish to emigrate to Quebec, you should contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) for more information.
Under the Canadian immigration system, the following are eligible to be included as family:
- The principal applicant (PA)
- The PA’s spouse or common-law partner
- The PA’s dependent child
- The dependent child of the PA’s dependent child (grandchild)
- The dependent child of the PA’s spouse/common-law partner
- The dependent child of the PA’s spouse/common-law partner’s dependent child
It’s important to tell IRCC if your or any of your family members’ contact details change, such as if you get a new address, email or phone number.
You can inform IRCC of any changes in your contact details using their Case Specific Inquiry tool.
After you move to Canada, you’ll need to confirm your permanent resident status online through the Permanent Resident Portal.
After confirmation, you’ll be provided with an electronic confirmation of permanent residence (e-COPR) through the portal. You’ll then need to provide a suitable photo, which will then be used to issue your first permanent resident card.
You’ll be able to use your e-COPR to confirm your permanent resident status and apply for government benefits and services in the meantime while you wait for your card to arrive.