Where things stand
IRCC has reached the 2025 cap for the Federal EMPP Job Offer and No Job Offer streams and is not accepting new federal EMPP applications. Page last modified July 21, 2025.
Earlier this year (June 12, 2025), IRCC extended the federal EMPP to December 31, 2025 with an annual intake cap (e.g., 950 under the job-offer stream). That extension remains on paper, but the 2025 cap is now full.
What are the alternatives?
- Regional EMPP (via existing economic programs): The Regional EMPP remains open and routes candidates through programs like the Provincial Nominee Program or Atlantic Immigration Program with an EMPP overlay. Status indicator currently shows “Regional EMPP – Open; Federal EMPP – Closed.”
- PNP-aligned hiring: Employers can continue recruiting through provincial pathways and designate roles to match regional shortages, while leveraging EMPP supports for documentation and displacement considerations.
- Plan for 2026 cycles: Public policies confirm annual caps reset on January 1. Tracking intake windows and pre-qualifying candidates now shortens time-to-file when the next window opens.
Practical steps for employers
- Role scoping: Align job descriptions to provincial streams with faster assessment or priority occupations.
- Documentation readiness: Pre-collect credential, language, and experience proofs that meet the base program and EMPP partner checklists.
- Settlement planning: Build arrival support plans (housing, licensing, bridging) to strengthen offers.
Practical steps for candidates
- Eligibility mapping: Identify which regional program you meet today (AIP/PNP) while you wait for federal caps to reopen.
- Language & credential prep: Use the time to finish required tests and get ECA/credential recognition started.
