All About Francophone Mobility Program

Introduction to the Francophone Mobility Work Permit

What Is the Francophone Mobility Work Permit Program? (LMIA exemption code c16)

The Francophone Mobility Program is a special Canadian immigration program that helps employers hire French-speaking foreign workers in a straightforward manner.



The Francophone Mobility Work Permit allows employers to skip the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), thus simplifying the hiring process of foreign nationals, specifically French speaking skilled workers, by making the process faster, cheaper and easier.

Why the Francophone Mobility Program Exists

Who Can Apply?

The Francophone Mobility Work Permit program is open to people that speak French from any country, and there is no age limit. If you are a French speaking worker and have a job offer in Canada (outside Quebec), you may be eligible.

Spouses and common-law partners of these work permit holders can apply for their own open work permit, depending on the type of occupation that the Francophone mobility worker is engaged in.

The dependent children of these work permit holders can also go to school or university at the same time. School age children may be able to attend school with or without a study permit, depending on their age and destination province. University age children will need to apply for their own study permit and meet all required eligibility factors.



Francophone mobility work permits enable Canadian work experience that may assist with making a person eligible to apply to become permanent resident in Canada.

Francophone Mobility Program Benefits

Benefits for French Speaking Workers

There are many advantages for French speaking foreign workers:



• The Francophone Mobility Program offers a simplified and faster work permit application process.
• There is no need for an Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) - which makes it easier to get a job in Canada, and enables you to stay working in Canada even if the LMIA rules change.
• The job does not need to be advertised to local workers before an LMIA application is submitted.
• It provides a direct path to employment in Canada, with the possibility of transitioning to permanent residence.
• Workers can bring their family members, including spouses/ common-law partners and dependent children, depending on the category of the worker's job.
• Workers have the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience, which can be beneficial to their career development and Canadian immigration process.
• The program supports the integration of French-speaking immigrants into Canadian communities.

Benefits for Canadian Employers

Employers also benefit from the Francophone Mobility program:

• Canadian employers can hire French-speaking workers with an LMIA exemption.
• The program makes the process of hiring easier, faster and less expensive because an LMIA is not needed.
• Employers can access a pool of skilled and motivated French-speaking workers.
• By participating in the program, employers support the growth of Francophone population and help to promote bilingualism in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the Francophone Mobility Program

French Language Ability Requirements

Applicants must show that they have French language ability in speaking and listening at an intermediate level. French does not need to be your first language, but you need to have a moderate command of French. Specifically, you need the equivalent to a level 5 or higher in Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale/ CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level 5 in speaking and listening.

Your French language proficiency can be proven through these approved language tests:

• speaking and listening in a French evaluation test, such as Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) or Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
• a written confirmation from a college or university for a program in French, for example, a transcript or an official letter of completion.
• other documents that show education in French

Job Offer Requirements

To apply, you need a valid job offer from a Canadian employer outside Quebec. The job can be in either a high-skilled occupation or a low-skilled occupation, but not in the primary agriculture sector.

Location Requirement

To be eligible for the Francophone Mobility Program, the job must be located outside the province of Quebec. This is because Quebec has its own immigration system and is not part of this specific program.

Other Requirement

Applicants must meet the work permit eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including being admissible to Canada and proving that you are capable of doing the job that is offered.

Application Process – Step by Step

1. Employer Submits Job Offer on the Employer Portal

The Canadian employer creates an account on the Employer Portal, obtains an employer number, and submits an offer of employment to IRCC through the Employer Portal using LMIA exemption code C16 for Mobilité Francophone. Note that the employer job offer must be submitted before the worker submits a work permit application - otherwise the work permit application will be refused.

2. Employer Pays Compliance Fee on the Employer Portal

A $230 CAD employer compliance fee must be paid through the employer portal at the time the e-job offer is submitted.



Once it's submitted, there is no communication with the employer from IRCC with respect to the e-job offer. In fact, no one even looks at the e-job offer until the work permit application is being assessed. It's a common misconception that the employer will get a decision one way or another if their job offer is accepted by IRCC. The only decision that is rendered is the work permit decision.

3. Applicant Applies for Work Permit with Immigration and Citizenship Canada

Once the job offer is registered, the foreign worker can create an online account and apply online for a work permit with the 7-digit offer of employment number with Immigration and Citizenship Canada.

4. Provide Supporting Documents for Yourself and Your Family Members

You must include your job offer, proof of French language skills, and identity documents. You may also need to give biometrics. Make sure to include the following and any other country-specific documents if needed:

• Application forms
• Passport
• Offer of employment
• Proof of French language proficiency
• Proof of relationship (if family is applying too)
• Proof that you meet the requirements of the job in Canada

5. Pay your fees and apply online

Prior to submission, you must pay the work permit processing fee for yourself and any application fees for family members that you are including in your application, as well as biometrics fee for each person applicable.

6. Wait for Processing

The application process has faster processing times compared to other programs, but this can vary by country.

7. Prepare for Arrival with Accompanying Family Members

If You Are from a Visa-Required Country

• You will automatically be issued a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) along with your work permit approval.
• The TRV is placed in your passport.
• It does not need a separate application in most cases.

If You Are from a Visa-Exempt Country

• You will be issued an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) with your work permit approval.
• The eTA is linked to your passport electronically.
• You don’t usually need to apply separately for the eTA.

Francophone Mobility Work Permit Details

The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is an employer-specific work permit, also called a closed work permit. This means you can only work for the employer who offered you the job. If you want to change employers, you will need to reapply using a new e-job offer.



The work permit is usually valid for the same length as your job offer, or until your passport expires—whichever comes first. It can be renewed if your job continues and you’re still eligible for the program.

Pathway to Permanent Residency for French Speakers

Many foreign workers who come through the Francophone Mobility Program later apply for permanent residence. You may become eligible through:

Express Entry System

French-speaking applicants with Canadian work experience can earn extra points for permanent residency. IRCC also holds category-based draws specifically for French speakers, often with lower CRS cut-offs. Learn more in our article 'French Language Proficiency and Express Entry: A Complete Guide'

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Several provinces have streams that target French-speaking candidates, especially those living or working outside Quebec.

Rural and Francophone Immigration Programs

Canada is actively encouraging French-speaking newcomers to settle in smaller cities and rural communities. The Rural and Francophone Immigration Program (sometimes called the Rural and Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots

Canada has introduced two immigration pilots to encourage newcomers to settle outside major cities: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). Both connect skilled workers with designated employers in smaller communities and provide a direct path to permanent residence.

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

The RCIP supports population and labour growth in rural areas across Canada. It is open to skilled workers who receive a job offer from an approved employer in a participating rural community.

You need a job offer from a designated employer in a participating rural community. Once you have that, you apply directly for PR under the pilot. No temporary work permit stage required (although some communities may also help you get a work permit while your PR is processed).

Eligibility highlights:

• Valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating rural community
• At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the past 3 years
• Approved language test in English or French (minimum CLB varies by job type)
• Canadian or equivalent foreign educational credential
• Proof of settlement funds

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

The FCIP encourages French-speaking skilled workers to settle in minority Francophone communities outside Quebec. With a job offer from a participating Francophone community and proof of French language ability (minimum CLB/NCLC 5), you can apply directly for PR under the pilot.

Eligibility highlights:



• Valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating Francophone community
• At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the past 3 years
• French language test required: minimum CLB/NCLC 5 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• Canadian or equivalent foreign educational credential

Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)

The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) was introduced to help Francophone students study in Canadian institutions outside Quebec and contribute to local Francophone communities.

• Eligible students may get study permit facilitation
• Builds opportunities for settlement in minority-language regions
• Offers a smoother transition to work permits and permanent residence



If you are already studying in Canada and wondering “I am an applicant under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot — what does it mean for me?”, the main advantage is that this pilot connects you with settlement services and long-term immigration options in Canada.

Choosing the Right Francophone Pathway

Whether you are considering the Francophone Mobility Program, the Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots, or the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP), each option offers unique benefits. Workers, students, and families can choose depending on their goals.

Program Administration

The Francophone Mobility Program is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The program is part of the International Mobility Program, which aims to promote the mobility of foreign workers in Canada.



The program is designed to support the growth of Francophone population and promote bilingualism in Canada, especially in provinces and territories where French is not the majority language.

Conclusion

The Francophone Mobility Program offers a simplified and faster immigration process for French-speaking foreign nationals. It provides a direct path to employment in Canada and supports the growth of Francophone communities.



If you are wondering whether this program is right for you, get in touch with our experts and book your Canadian Immigration consultation today with our team of regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. We can help guide you through your immigration journey, provide you with a personalized document checklist, prepare and review your application forms for your work permit application, make sure your employment offer is eligible, and verify that you meet the language requirements. In addition, we handle the applications for your accompanying children, to make sure your immigration process is smooth and worry-free.