This article is of interest to people of any nationality who are in danger in their home country and have fled to a country other than Canada to seek refuge or asylum.

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It is quite common to hear in the news or read in the networks that Venezuelan, Haitian, Nicaraguan migrants, among other countries in South and Central America, are escaping from the risks of life that their respective nations represent, either due to lack of economic opportunities, lack of access to education and employment, violence and other structural and personal factors, The truth is that there is a massive migration to the United States and other countries in the region to seek refuge, and that is when the complexity of their case begins because they may or may not be recognized as refugees, leaving their status in limbo, i.e., they apply for refuge but are not recognized as such.

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What if the migrant is not yet recognized as a refugee?

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In Canada, if the immigrant applied for refugee status, for example, in the United States, and still does not have it, he/she will not be able to apply for a regular work or study visa, since the government understands that he/she does not have a safe country to live in and, in addition, has left the United States, where he/she is waiting to be recognized as a refugee, or simply has not been recognized, so he/she will not be able to demonstrate that he/she has sufficient reasons to leave Canada and return to the country of origin. But do not lose heart! There is a chance and it is through permanent residency and the Immigrate Through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Program.

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How does the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Program for refugees work?

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This is where the application for permanent residency through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Program (EMPP) comes into play, for which the refugee must meet the following requirements:

Must be recognized as a refugee or asylum seeker, that is:

• He already has an approved refugee status and 
• with a document proving that you are an asylum seeker.

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For example, a Venezuelan who applied for refugee status in the United States and is awaiting his case must be outside of Venezuela to apply for this program.

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You must have proof that you do not have a durable solution in the third country; for example: a Venezuelan refugee in the United States who has been waiting for 8 years for an answer on his case.

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Must be admissible to enter Canada, i.e.:

• He has no criminal record.
• He has not committed any crime.
• He does not possess any life-threatening diseases.

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Must be admissible under a permanent immigration program to Canada, such as:

• The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which is available with an offer of employment in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. To apply for this program, it is important to demonstrate a good level of English.
• The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).

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Please note that, for the most part, these eligible programs request resources such as the following: 

• An offer of employment from a Canadian employer.
• Intermediate/advanced command of English.
• Academic/educational level. 

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Therefore, it is very necessary that you prepare yourself if you need to apply for some of these immigration opportunities. 

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The next step would be to link the residency program with the pilot scheme for refugees from other countries. 

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Finally, take into account that the greatest benefit of this program is that you can migrate to Canada without having a passport and that there is the UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is the United Nations agency in charge of protecting refugees, so you can feel legally accompanied in your process.

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If you need legal advice about your refugee case in Canada, Immiland Canada can help you.

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With love,

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Immiland

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