CIMM – The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot – November 25, 2024

Key Facts and Figures

The Government of Canada has committed to admitting 2,000 skilled refugees and their families under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP).
Since its launch in 2018, approximately 595 persons (245 principal applicants and 350 accompanying family members) have been admitted to Canada under the EMPP.
As of October 31, 2024, there are 535 applications (1,635 total persons) in process under the EMPP.
Canada has provided non-governmental organization (NGO) partners with $7.2M in funding over three years (2022-2025) for six projects to identify and refer candidates abroad, engage Canadian employers, and support the administration of microloans to help newcomers settle.
Of this funding, $1M was distributed with the goal of expanding the EMPP to populations that may be eligible in the Americas.

Levels spaces for the EMPP are included under the economic class under economic pilots along with Caregivers, Agri-Food, etc. Economic pilots have a target of 10,875 admissions for 2024 and, under the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, 10,920 in 2025 and 9,920 admissions in 2026 and 2027.
The EMPP is a complementary pathway that focuses on durable solutions for refugees and other displaced people with the skills and qualifications that Canadian employers need.
In the last year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has funded NGO partners to grow their capacity in the Americas, brought on three new referral partners, expanded the eligibility criteria for the pilot, and launched a more streamlined and direct federal EMPP pathway (to complement the original pathway connected to the Provincial Nominee Program, managed by provinces and territories).
These ongoing improvements demonstrate Canada’s commitment to welcoming more skilled refugees and other qualified displaced people through new, innovative pathways that complement our resettlement programs.

At the December 2023 Global Refugee Forum Canada pledged to make the EMPP a permanent program by 2025.