On June 12, 2023 Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced 2 new Canada immigration streams for skilled refugees are now open to applications.
Federal Skills Job Offer Stream and Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream are the new immigration streams under the Economic Mobility Pathway Pilots (EMPP).
Immigration minister announced on March 27, 2023 that they will be launching 2 new pathways for skilled refugees.
One of the two new streams is designed for candidates with an employment offer from a Canadian employer, while the other is for highly skilled refugees without any job offer.
Who Can Qualify
To meet the basic eligibility requirement for these 2 new streams, applicants must be outside Canada and have 1 of the following documents:
- Proof of Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the UNHCR or a state hosting refugees.
- Documentation reflecting that applicant is a registered or recorded by the UN Refugee Agency as a person of concern
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine in the Near East (UNRWA) refugee documentation
- Documentation demonstrating registration as a person of concern with UNRWA
- Evidence of provisional protected status and an IRCC officer’s determination that you lack a permanent solution
Individuals not having any of the above listed documents can reach out to one of IRCC’s trusted partners to get their situation assessed and get a referral letter to apply under these streams.
EMPP Federal Skills Job Offer Stream
Through the EMPP Federal Skills Job Offer Stream, Canadian employers will be able to hire qualified candidates for a variety of in-demand positions, such as nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, logistics and warehouse workers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck service drivers.
Applicants must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer in TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 from a Canadian employer.
Furthermore, they must also have at least 1 year of full-time, paid work experience (1,560 hours) or an equal amount in part-time. Self-employed will also qualify.
English or French language proficiency of CLB level 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs and CLB level 4 for TEER 4 or 5 jobs.
EMPP Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream
The EMPP Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream recognizes that certain candidates possess in-demand skills that will enable them to find employment in Canada.
However, this stream is capped at only 150 applications per year.
To apply under this stream, candidates need to have at least 1 year of full-time, paid work experience (1,560 hours) or an equivalent quantity of part-time experience is required. Self-employment will NOT qualify.
Must have education equivalent to Canadian secondary school with Education Credential Assessment.
English or French language proficiency of CLB level 7 in each of the 4 language abilities.
Have enough settlement funds as listed below:
Number of family members (including those you support who aren’t immigrating with you) | Funds you need (in Canadian dollars) |
---|---|
1 | $13,310 |
2 | $16,570 |
3 | $20,371 |
4 | $24,733 |
5 | $28,052 |
6 | $31,638 |
7 | $35,224 |
For each additional family member | $3,586 |
“Walmart Canada welcomes this expanded government program and applauds the creation of further economic opportunities for new Canadians. Programs like EMPP are important in breaking down barriers to employment for newcomers and helping them find their footing in their new country. As one of Canada’s most diverse and inclusive companies, we look forward to providing even more newcomers with fulfilling, long-term employment opportunities with Walmart Canada through this collaboration with the Government of Canada.”
– Patricio Dallan, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Walmart Canada
What are the 2 new Canada immigration streams launched for skilled refugees?
Federal Skills Job Offer Stream and Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream are the 2 new Canada immigration streams accepting applications under the Economic Mobility Pathway Pilots (EMPP).