Francophone Mobility program: the work permit for French speakers

The Francophone Mobility program is a Canadian work permit category, administrative code C16, that lets an employer hire a French speaker for a job outside Quebec without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) [1][2]. For applications from 15 June 2023, you must prove French speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher (the French name for CLB 5) and have a job offer in almost any occupation [1]. For the level itself, see CLB 5 in French. For the exams that can show it, see TEF Canada vs TCF Canada.

Source: Government of Canada (IRCC instructions to officers), read on 22 October 2026.

The requirements at a glance, for applications on or after 15 June 2023:

What is the Francophone Mobility program?

The Francophone Mobility program is a work permit route under the International Mobility Program that IRCC began in 2016 [3]. IRCC’s own page says it makes it easier for Canadian employers to hire you without an LMIA if you meet certain requirements and are destined to live and work outside Quebec [2].

The stated purpose is to promote the French language in Francophone minority communities outside Quebec [1]. It is a work permit, not permanent residence. IRCC issues it under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations for applications from 15 June 2023 [1]. The page that applicants read also says what you need depends on when you apply [5].

What are the Francophone Mobility program requirements?

There are three requirements, and an employer step that comes first. You must be destined to live and work outside Quebec [2], hold an offer of employment, and show moderate French at CLB / NCLC 5 or higher [1].

The job offer can be in almost any occupation located outside Quebec. The exception is primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5 [1].

What proves your French for the Francophone Mobility work permit?

IRCC’s 2023 news release says applicants must provide proof of the language level. The documents may be, 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 confirming studies at a French-language institution [3].

The instructions say officers can use their discretion to decide whether the evidence shows moderate French at CLB / NCLC 5 or higher [1]. Which proof fits your situation depends on what you hold today. This page does not say which exam to take. To compare the two exams, read TEF Canada vs TCF Canada.

Lingwell is building a French practice app; you can join the waitlist on the waitlist page.

How does the Francophone Mobility work permit application work?

The employer goes first. The Employer Portal guide says an offer of employment number appears once the employer submits the offer, and that the number is the letter A followed by seven digits [4]. It also says there is no approval letter: the employer gives you that number, and you need it to submit your work permit application [4]. An employer that IRCC authorized to submit on paper uses form IMM5802 instead [4].

The order matters. The guide says that if the employer does not pay the fee that applies or submit the offer before you apply, the work permit is refused [4]. IRCC lists the current fees and processing times on its work permit page, so this page gives none [2].

IRCC’s instructions say officers may issue the permit for the length of the offer of employment, or until the travel document expires if that comes first [1]. For a renewal, a proof-of-language result is not required unless the officer has concerns, for applications made on or after 15 June 2023. All other requirements must still be met [1].

What changed in the Francophone Mobility program in 2023, and what about 2025?

The rules changed on 15 June 2023. This page cites no IRCC change dated 2025, so check the official pages for anything newer. Before 15 June 2023, applications were assessed under a different paragraph, R205(a), and the question was whether French was the applicant’s habitual language of daily use [1].

From 15 June 2023, the job offer can be in almost any occupation outside Quebec, and the French requirement is moderate French, CLB / NCLC 5 [1]. A guide written for the pre-2023 rules will describe a different test.

Does the Francophone Mobility program have an end date?

The 15 June 2023 news release announced the expansion “for a period of two years” [3]. IRCC’s work permit page lists the status as Open [2]. This page does not say what happens after those two years, and it does not pick an answer.

Read the work permit page and the instructions on the day you apply, and compare their dates with the date at the top of this page.

What French words go with this permit?

The job does not have to be in French, but these plain words come up around the permit. Tap a word to hear it.

• un emploi: a job; you need an offer from an employer outside Quebec [1].
• une offre d’emploi: a job offer, the offer of employment your employer submits [4].
• un permis de travail: a work permit, which is what this program issues [1].
• travailler: to work; the permit is for people destined to live and work outside Quebec [2].
• parler: to speak; speaking and listening are the two French skills IRCC asks you to prove [1].

Try the quick check.

Common mistakes

• Treating the permit as permanent residence. It is a work permit [1]. A permanent residence application needs its own approved results; see Express Entry French.
• Thinking the job must be in French. IRCC says the language of work does not need to be French [1].
• Applying before the employer has submitted the offer. Without the offer and the fee that applies in place first, the permit is refused [4].
• Using a guide written for the pre-June 2023 rules. Those were assessed under R205(a) and asked about your habitual language of daily use [1].
• Assuming a job in Quebec qualifies. The permit is for people destined to live and work outside Quebec [2].
• Relying on a summary of the rules from a blog, including this one. The official pages change. Check the official page’s date against the date at the top of this one.

See also: French PR pathways side by side and the FMCSP student pilot.

Sources