Immigration news update for AMER and EMEA regions
Americas
Canada: Update on refugee integration
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is Canada’s first initiative to offer a complementary immigration route for refugees and displaced individuals with valuable skills.
Since its launch, the EMPP has helped fill labour shortages across Canada, particularly in high-demand sectors such as health care, construction and food service. In fact,, over 30% of those admitted have joined the health care sector. Between 2019 and March 2025, 970 people have been admitted through this program.
In response to ongoing labour market needs, the government of Canada has extended the initiative  until December 31, 2025. For the year 2025, the program will accept up to 950 applications under the job offer stream.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Government of Canada
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Finland: Update on work permit rules
Starting June 11, 2025, Finland has introduced new rules for residence permits based on employment. If a foreign worker loses their job, they now have either three or six months to find new employment, depending on their role and how long they’ve lived in Finland. Specialists and those who have held a work-based permit for over two years are granted six months, while others have three. The residence permit must remain valid during this time. If the person doesn’t find a new job or have no other reason to stay, the permit can be revoked.
Employers are now required to notify the Finnish Immigration Service within 14 days if an employee with a work-based permit leaves their job early. This is a shift from the previous system, where only hiring needed to be reported. Failure to notify can lead to penalties.
Additionally, unemployed permit holders can now seek work in sectors experiencing national labour shortages—such as healthcare and metal processing—without needing a new permit, provided their current one is still valid. This list of shortage sectors will be updated regularly to reflect Finland’s labour market needs.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Finnish Immigration Service
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Sweden: Updated salary requirements for work permits
On June 17, 2025, Statistics Sweden (SCB) published a new median salary, impacting the income level requirement for work permit applicants. As of this date, the median salary is 37,100 SEK, and to qualify for a work permit, an employee must earn at least 80% of the median salary, which now equals to a minimum of 29,680 SEK per month.
The updated requirement applies to cases submitted from June 17, onwards. For applications filed before this date, the Migration Agency will consider the previous income level threshold.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Statistics Sweden
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact  Fortune Mugororoka (Senior Specialist for Sweden) or Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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