Francophone Mobility Program C16
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for French Speaking Professionals
The Francophone Mobility Program (C16) is a Canadian work permit program designed to attract French-speaking foreign nationals to live and work in Canada outside the province of Quebec. This program allows eligible employers to hire qualified French-speaking workers without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), making it a faster and more accessible pathway to working in Canada.
The program supports Canada’s commitment to strengthening Francophone minority communities while helping employers address labour shortages across various industries.
WHO CAN APPLY?
You may be eligible for the Francophone Mobility Program if you:
✅ Are a French-speaking foreign national
✅ Can demonstrate intermediate French language ability in speaking and listening (generally NCLC Level 5 or higher) or CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level 5 in speaking and listening.
✅ Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer outside Quebec
✅ Intend to live and work outside Quebec
✅ Meet general Canadian work permit eligibility requirements, including admissibility
✅ Are applying for a job in most TEER 0–5 occupations (excluding primary agriculture)
Important: The job itself does not need to require French. The focus is on the applicant’s ability to speak French.
FRENCH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Applicants must show functional French proficiency, particularly in oral communication. Proof can include:
- Approved French language test results (such as TEF or TCF), or
- Educational credentials or official documents confirming education completed in French
GET A JOB OFFER
A critical step in the FCIP process is receiving a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating Francophone communities. Employers in these communities must complete community-specific training, be approved as a designated employer, and offer a permanent, full-time, non-seasonal job.
Once you have a job offer, the community’s economic development organization may recommend you for permanent residence based on labour market needs and local settlement capacity.
JOB OFFER & LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
To apply under this program:
- The job offer must be from an employer located outside Quebec
- The position must be genuine and comply with Canadian employment standards
- The job may be in any eligible occupation, as long as it is not in primary agriculture
- The employer must submit the offer using LMIA exemption code C16 (Mobilité Francophone)
APPLICATION PROCESS
1️⃣ Employer Submits Job Offer
Your Canadian employer completes the offer of employment online using the IRCC Employer Portal with LMIA exemption code C16 and pays the employer compliance fee. They will then provide you with a 7-digit offer number.
2️⃣ Create IRCC Account and Apply Online
You create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and begin your work permit application.
3️⃣ Upload Required Documents
Upload your job offer number, passport details, proof of French language ability, financial and supporting documents.
4️⃣ Pay Fees and Submit
Pay the work permit processing fee (and biometric fee if required), then submit your application and wait for a decision. Processing times vary by country and application type.
ADVANTAGES OF THE FRANCOPHONE MOBILITY PROGRAM
The Francophone Mobility Program offers strong benefits for both workers and employers
👤FOR APPLICANTS
- LMIA-exempt work permit (simpler and faster processing)
- Opportunity to gain Canadian work experience
- Strong pathway to Permanent Residence (PR) through Express Entry and PNPs
- Ability to bring spouse and dependent children
- Open work permit options for spouses (in most cases)
🏢FOR EMPLOYERS
- No LMIA required, saving time and costs
- Access to a global pool of French-speaking talent
- Faster hiring compared to LMIA-based programs
- Supports Canada’s goal of strengthening Francophone minority communities
PATHWAY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE (PR)
While the Francophone Mobility Program provides a temporary work permit, it offers strong long-term immigration benefits:
🎯 Canadian work experience may qualify you for Express Entry – Canadian Experience Class
💪 Strong French language skills can provide additional CRS points
✅ Eligibility for Francophone-focused Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
🤝 Supports long-term settlement and PR planning in Canada
Many applicants successfully transition from this work permit to Permanent Residence with the right strategy.
STEP TOWARD CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Ready to start your journey to Canada through a Francophone immigration pathway?
Contact our team today for a detailed eligibility assessment.
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Take your first step towards a successful application