Expanded Francophone Work Permit: More French Talents
Canada expands Francophone Mobility Program on June 15, 2023, to all NOC categories except primary agriculture roles.
Canada announced the expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program on June 15, 2023. This expansion applies to all National Occupation Classification (NOC) categories, excluding positions in primary agriculture. Initially designed for highly skilled French-speaking temporary foreign workers, this program now embraces a larger group of French-speaking immigrants, providing them with a chance to gain valuable Canadian work experience and potentially qualify for permanent residency.
Other than the expansion, the language proficiency requirement is also updated. Applicants must now demonstrate moderate proficiency in French, specifically in oral comprehension and oral expression, equivalent to level 5 language requirements.
Furthermore, applicants are now required to furnish evidence verifying their compliance with these language requirements. Acceptable forms of documentation include, but are not limited to:
a French evaluation test or the French competencies test,
a diploma or degree from a French college or university, or
a document attesting to studies completed at a French-language institution.
This pilot project isn't just a temporary perk—it's valid for a generous duration of 2 years, giving you ample time to capitalize on this unique advantage.
Are you eligible to apply?
If you're planning to apply for a work permit on or after June 15, 2023, you need to meet the following criteria:
Fulfill the general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
Reside and work in any of the 9 Canadian provinces or 3 territories outside Quebec.
Demonstrate your ability to speak and understand French at an intermediate level. This would be equivalent to a niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 5 or higher.
Hold an offer of employment for a job falling under any Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, excluding primary agriculture occupations.
Prior to June 15, 2023, the Francophone Work Permit’s requirements are as follows:
Fulfill the general eligibility requirements for a work permit as per the standard guidelines.
Explicitly express your intention to reside and work in any of the 9 Canadian provinces or 3 territories outside Quebec.
Provide convincing evidence to a processing officer that you have the potential to achieve a minimum score of 7 on the niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) test.
Possess an offer of employment for a job falling within the TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
Essential preparations by your Canadian employer prior to your application
To ensure a smooth and successful work permit application process, your Canadian employer must diligently undertake the following steps:
Submit an offer of employment to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Employer Portal, utilizing the LMIA exemption code C16 specifically designated for Mobilité Francophone.
Fulfill the requirement of paying the employer compliance fee, which amounts to $230.
Provide you with an offer of employment number—a unique 7-digit identifier essential for your application.
This update brings a wave of opportunities for both employers and skilled French-speaking individuals in Canada. Embrace this opportunity and embark on a journey towards a promising career in Canada, leveraging the ease and advantages of the recent changes in hiring French-speaking talent.
Check your eligibility here with instant result.
