Economic immigration
A pilot that helped skilled refugees and displaced people immigrate through Canada’s economic programs.
Closed. The pilot ended December 31, 2025; complete applications received by then are still being processed, and IRCC plans a permanent replacement.
This pathway is not taking new applications. The rules below describe how it worked, for reference and for anyone whose application is still being processed.
Refugees outside Canada are resettled by the government or sponsored by private groups, such as Sponsorship Agreement Holders and Groups of Five.
Government resettlement and Sponsorship Agreement Holders continue. New sponsorships by Groups of Five and Community Sponsors are paused until December 31, 2026.
The main federal route to permanent residence for skilled workers, through the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades programs. You create a profile and IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates.
Open. IRCC is recalculating every profile under the new CRS rules from November 3, 2026, and rounds resume once that is done.
Provinces and territories nominate people who fit their own labour needs. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream adds 600 CRS points.
Open. Each province runs its own streams and intake rounds, and several changed or paused streams in 2026, so check your province.
Statuses change, sometimes with little notice. Always confirm on the official page before you apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
