The Francophone Mobility work permit can allow a Canadian employer outside Quebec to hire an eligible French-speaking foreign worker without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). For the right employer and worker, this can be a significantly simpler route than the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Who may qualify?
For applications made on or after June 15, 2023, IRCC says an applicant generally must meet the normal work-permit requirements, intend to live and work outside Quebec, have qualifying French-language ability, and hold an eligible offer of employment.
French-language requirement
The applicant must be able to demonstrate intermediate French speaking and listening ability, equivalent to at least NCLC level 5. The requirement focuses on speaking and listening rather than requiring the same level in all four language abilities.
Evidence can include an approved French test or other documentation accepted by IRCC that reasonably demonstrates the required ability. The supporting evidence should be clear enough for an officer to assess the applicant’s French level.
What jobs qualify?
Francophone Mobility is broadly available across National Occupational Classification TEER categories. The principal restriction is that primary-agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and TEER 5 are excluded.
This means the program can potentially cover many professional, technical, skilled, service and other occupations, provided the job and applicant meet the current program requirements.
The employer has work to do first
Before the worker applies, the Canadian employer must submit an offer of employment through the IRCC Employer Portal using LMIA exemption code C16. The employer must also pay the applicable employer compliance fee, which is currently $230, and provide the worker with the seven-digit offer of employment number.
The worker then uses that number when submitting the work-permit application.
Why this is different from an LMIA
Francophone Mobility is an LMIA-exempt work-permit category under the International Mobility Program. The employer therefore does not go through the normal LMIA recruitment and labour-market assessment process before the worker applies.
That does not mean the application is automatic. The employer and worker must still meet the program rules, and the worker must meet the general requirements for a Canadian work permit.
Can this help with permanent residence later?
Canadian work experience can potentially become valuable for future permanent residence planning, depending on the worker’s occupation, language results, work history and the immigration program available at that time. French-language ability can also be important in Express Entry and other immigration programs.
A work permit and permanent residence strategy should therefore be planned together where possible rather than treating the work permit as an isolated application.
Common issues to review
- Whether the employment is genuinely outside Quebec
- Whether the job falls within an eligible NOC/TEER category
- Whether the French evidence clearly demonstrates the required speaking and listening level
- Whether the Employer Portal submission and exemption code are correct
- Whether the applicant otherwise qualifies for a Canadian work permit
CanLink assists employers and workers with Francophone Mobility work permits, employer submissions and longer-term immigration planning. Visit our Francophone Immigration & Work Permits page or request a consultation.
Official IRCC resource
Program requirements can change. This article provides general information and should be checked against the current IRCC instructions before filing.