The Francophone Mobility work permit lets eligible French-speaking workers take a job outside Quebec without their employer obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). You still need a qualifying job offer and approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This is a temporary, employer-specific permit. Understanding its conditions helps you assess both the job opportunity and your longer-term plans.
You may qualify if you have a job offer outside Quebec, can demonstrate French speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher, and meet the general work permit requirements. Most TEER categories are eligible, except primary agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and 5. Your employer must complete the required steps before you apply.
A LMIA exemption can make a job opportunity more practical for an employer considering an international applicant. Francophone Mobility removes that particular assessment from the process, while retaining a work permit application.
For you, the key questions are whether the offer qualifies, how you will demonstrate French ability and whether the permit’s conditions fit your plans. Think about your partner’s work options and future residence goals before committing to a move.
The current eligibility rules apply to applications submitted on or after June 15, 2023. Applicants need an eligible offer, intermediate French speaking and listening skills, and plans to live and work outside Quebec.
The route covers jobs across TEER categories 0 to 5, with the primary agriculture exception described above. TEER reflects the training, education, experience and responsibilities associated with an occupation.
General work permit rules also apply. These include demonstrating sufficient money for your stay and return journey, satisfying admissibility requirements and showing that you will leave Canada when your authorised stay ends.
A genuine offer is essential. Check the position’s duties, NOC code, work location and employment terms with the employer before preparing your application.
If you are comparing job offer requirements across Canadian immigration routes, remember that Francophone Mobility requires an offer even though the employer does not need an LMIA.
You must also show that you meet the position’s employment requirements. French ability does not replace the experience, qualifications or licensing needed for the role.
The workplace does not have to operate in French. However, IRCC’s instructions exclude telework or remote work for an employer located in Quebec. Do not assume that living outside Quebec makes such an arrangement eligible.
You need speaking and listening ability equivalent to at least NCLC 5. Reading and writing evidence is not required for this LMIA exemption.
IRCC allows several forms of evidence, including TEF or TCF speaking and listening results, written confirmation of a college or university program in French, or other documents showing education in French.
Our guide to French language tests explains the testing options commonly used for Canadian immigration. Before booking, check the evidence requirements for the particular application you intend to submit.
When reviewing your French language scores, assess speaking and listening separately. Strong ability in one does not establish the required level in the other.
An officer may request further language evidence or an oral assessment if the documents do not adequately demonstrate your ability. Choose evidence that clearly supports your application.
Your employer must submit the offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal using exemption code C16 for Mobilité Francophone, pay the CAD 230 employer compliance fee and give you the offer of employment number.
You use that number in your work permit application. A signed offer letter alone does not replace the employer’s portal submission.
Check that the employer’s submission and your documents describe the same job and work location. Resolving discrepancies before applying can prevent avoidable questions later.
After the employer completes its steps, follow IRCC’s online application instructions. The questionnaire creates your personalised checklist, and the answers differ depending on whether you apply from inside or outside Canada. If you need a broader overview of the application process, our guide to getting a Canadian work permit explains the main requirements and steps.
Select the applicable LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit option. Upload your French language evidence in the Client information field, combining documents into one file where necessary.
Prepare your passport, job documents, evidence of qualifications and any medical or other documents required by your checklist. Follow the biometrics instructions if they apply to you.
If you are already in Canada, check whether your status allows an application from inside the country. Being physically present does not by itself establish eligibility to apply there.
The applicant’s work permit processing fee is CAD 155. Biometrics cost CAD 85 per person where required, with a maximum of CAD 170 for eligible family members applying together.
The employer pays the separate CAD 230 compliance fee. For one applicant who needs biometrics, the work permit and biometrics fees total CAD 240, excluding the employer’s payment and other expenses.
Budget separately for any language test, medical examination, translations and travel. Check the official fee list before paying.
There is no single processing time for every applicant. Use IRCC’s current processing-time tool for your application location and circumstances.
Some applicants with TEER 0 or 1 offers may qualify for the Global Skills Strategy. IRCC aims to process eligible, complete applications within two weeks. Applicants normally need to apply online from outside Canada and meet the strategy’s document and biometrics requirements. This is a processing target, not a guaranteed decision date.
Permit validity can follow the duration of the employment offer, limited by your passport or travel document’s expiry. For example, a two-year offer does not guarantee a two-year permit if your passport expires sooner. An extension requires continued eligibility.
If you apply from outside Canada and receive approval, IRCC issues a port of entry letter of introduction. This is not the work permit itself. Present it and the required documents on arrival; the permit is issued at the port of entry.
Your partner’s work permission requires a separate eligibility assessment. A Francophone Mobility approval does not automatically provide an open work permit for your spouse or common-law partner.
For high-skilled workers who are not on an eligible permanent residence pathway, the usual spousal eligibility rules require employment in TEER 0 or 1, or a listed TEER 2 or 3 occupation, and at least 16 months of work authorisation remaining when IRCC receives the partner’s application. Other requirements also apply.
Different rules can apply to workers on eligible permanent residence pathways. Check the current family work permit requirements before relying on a second income.
The permit provides temporary work authorisation. Permanent residence requires a separate application under a program for which you qualify. IRCC advises workers interested in staying longer to apply once they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a separate permanent residence route involving participating communities, designated employers and community recommendations.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot also has its own community and eligibility requirements. A job suitable for a temporary permit does not automatically qualify for either pilot.
Compare your actual employer and location with each program’s rules. Plan for permanent residence separately from obtaining permission to start the job.
An employer-specific permit restricts your work to its stated conditions. Before changing employers, confirm what new permit or other authorisation you need.
These articles can help you compare permanent residence options and prepare your employment and language evidence:
No. You need an eligible offer, and your employer must complete the required submission before you apply.
IRCC accepts several forms of language evidence, including test results and documents showing education in French. An officer can request further evidence if necessary.
No. The language of work does not have to be French, but you must meet the permit’s French proficiency requirement.
No. This route requires you to live and work outside Quebec.
No. It is employer-specific, so you must follow the employment conditions on your permit.
The Francophone Mobility work permit can help eligible French-speaking applicants take a qualifying job outside Quebec without an LMIA. A suitable offer, clear evidence of French speaking and listening ability, and the employer’s required submission are central to the process.
Before applying, check that your job details, language evidence and supporting documents meet IRCC’s instructions. Since immigration requirements and procedures can change, always check the latest guidance on the official Government of Canada website.
If you need support checking your eligibility for the Francophone Mobility work permit or preparing your Canadian immigration application, book a consultation with Canada GMC.
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