Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (skilled refugees) - closed to new applications
Official name: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
The EMPP helped skilled refugees and displaced people immigrate permanently through economic programs, with or without a job offer. It is closed: IRCC's pages say it is closed to new applications, and IRCC's evaluation says it stopped accepting new applications as of 1 Jan 2026 (intake closed in December 2025) because of a large backlog. IRCC says it is exploring options for a permanent pathway for refugees and displaced people, but none has been announced. Applications already submitted are still being processed.
3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel
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Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
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Who it’s for
Skilled refugees and displaced people abroad. Not accepting new applications.
Eligibility
Closed to new applications
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot no longer takes new applications; IRCC stopped accepting them as of 1 Jan 2026.
From 1 Jan 2026- IRCC program page is titled 'Closed: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot'
- Page date: 2026-03-25
- Projected processing times for new applications had reached four to six years by closure
Official wording
IRCC's program page (page date 2026-03-25) is titled 'Closed: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot'. IRCC's evaluation says new applications stopped as of 1 Jan 2026 and that projected processing times for new applications had reached four to six years by closure.
How it worked (for reference)
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe pilot had two routes for skilled refugees or displaced people, assessed on work experience, education and language skills.
- Regional route: Atlantic Immigration Program or Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal stream: applied for directly
- Federal stream had job offer and no job offer options
Official wording
Two routes: the regional EMPP through the Atlantic Immigration Program or Provincial Nominee Program, and a federal stream applied for directly, with job offer and no job offer streams. Candidates were skilled refugees or displaced people assessed on work experience, education and language skills.
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