A Complete Guide To IRCC Francophone Mobility Work Permit By Fairworld Immigration - Blog featured Image

A Complete Guide To IRCC Francophone Mobility Work Permit By Fairworld Immigration

Published on December 05th 2025 by Fairworld Immigration

If you speak French and want to work in Canada outside Quebec, the Francophone Mobility work permit can be a fast and flexible pathway. It is part of the International Mobility Program and lets Canadian employers hire qualified French-speaking talent without an LMIA when certain rules are met. This guide explains who qualifies, what employers must do, how to apply, and how your family can come with you.

In June 2023 IRCC expanded the program. Since then, eligible French-speaking candidates may qualify across all NOC TEER levels except certain primary agriculture jobs, and the language threshold is intermediate (NCLC 5) for speaking and listening.

What is the Francophone Mobility work permit?

The Francophone Mobility work permit is an LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permit for French-speaking foreign workers who will live and work outside Quebec. Employers submit an offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal using LMIA exemption code C16, pay the employer compliance fee, and give the worker the offer number to include in the application.

Why it matters

  • No LMIA step for the employer
  • Open to many occupations nationwide, outside Quebec
  • Clear language requirement that focuses on speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher, with multiple ways to prove it (TEF/TCF results or evidence of education in French)
A Complete Guide To IRCC Francophone Mobility Work Permit By Fairworld Immigration - Blog featured Image

Who can apply?

You may be eligible for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit if you:

  1. Plan to live and work outside Quebec (any of the 9 provinces or 3 territories).
  2. Prove French ability in speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher. IRCC accepts TEF or TCF results, or official proof of French-language education. Reading and writing scores are not required for this exemption.
  3. Have a genuine job offer in any NOC TEER (0–5), except primary agriculture under TEER 4 and 5. Learn more on the official IRCC website.

Before June 15, 2023, IRCC required NCLC 7 and limited eligibility to TEER 0–3. Those older rules no longer apply to new applications.

Employer steps (before you apply) for a Francophone Mobility work permit

Your Canadian employer must:

  1. Submit the offer of employment in the Employer Portal using LMIA exemption code C16
  2. Pay the $230 employer compliance fee
  3. Send you the 7-digit offer of employment number for your application

Employers complete these steps in the official Employer Portal for LMIA-exempt hires.

How to apply (worker) for a Francophone Mobility work permit

You may apply online for a Francophone Mobility work permit and include:

  • Your offer of employment number provided by the employer
  • Proof of French ability at NCLC 5 in speaking and listening (TEF/TCF results, or proof of French education)
  • Standard work-permit forms and identity documents
  • Biometrics and work-permit fee payment

IRCC’s page walks you through the online questionnaire so you get the correct checklist for this LMIA-exempt pathway.

Can my family come with me

Yes. Spouses or common-law partners may qualify for an open work permit, and dependent children can study (study-permit rules may apply by age and level). Always confirm each family member’s eligibility when you prepare the file.

Duration and renewals

IRCC typically issues the work permit for the length of the job offer, and renewals are possible when the job continues and eligibility is maintained. This aligns with IRCC program materials for Mobilité francophone.

Proof of French: what IRCC accepts

You can show NCLC 5 speaking and listening with:

  • TEF or TCF results that meet the threshold
  • An official letter or transcript showing post-secondary education in French
  • Other recognized education documents in French (for speaking and listening proof)

Tip: If using test scores, check current score charts for NCLC 5 equivalencies on the test provider’s site. If using education, attach clear official documents that name the language of instruction.

Jobs that qualify

Any NOC TEER 0–5 position outside Quebec, except primary agriculture jobs in TEER 4 and 5. Examples include hospitality, retail management, IT roles, healthcare support roles, admin, trades, logistics, and many more.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Listing Quebec as the work location. The program is outside Quebec only.
  • Missing C16 on the employer’s offer. The LMIA-exempt code must be C16 for Francophone Mobility.
  • No proof of French at NCLC 5 for speaking and listening. Upload clear evidence in the “Client Information” field.
  • Wrong NOC or selecting a primary agriculture role under TEER 4–5. These do not qualify.

How the Francophone Mobility work permit pathway fits a long-term plan

Many workers use this work permit as a first step toward permanent residence. After gaining Canadian work experience, candidates often become more competitive for Express Entry or provincial nominee streams. Employers can also support a worker’s long-term plan. IRCC provides guidance for employers who want to help workers build a PR pathway.

IRCC has also made Francophone immigration a standing priority in its policy framework, which supports program stability and long-term planning for French-speaking newcomers across Canada.

Step-by-step checklist for the Francophone Mobility work permit

For employers

  1. Confirm the role is outside Quebec and not a primary agriculture TEER 4–5 job
  2. Create or sign in to the Employer Portal, file the offer with code C16, and pay the $230 fee
  3. Send the worker the offer number and signed offer letter

For workers

  1. Gather identity documents and proof of French (NCLC 5 speaking and listening)
  2. Start an online application and select the LMIA-exempt work permit path in your account
  3. Enter the offer of employment number, upload documents, and pay fees
  4. Give biometrics if required and watch for IRCC updates in your account

When Francophone Mobility work permit is not the right fit

  • You want to live or work in Quebec
  • Your offer is primary agriculture under TEER 4–5
  • You cannot show NCLC 5 in speaking and listening

In these cases, consider other LMIA-exempt categories, an LMIA-based work permit, study options, or business pathways. A licensed consultant can map alternatives based on your profile.

Helpful IRCC pages related to Francophone Mobility Work Permit

  • Francophone Mobility: How to apply — main worker page with eligibility and application steps. Canada
  • Hire French-speaking or bilingual workers — employer side of the program and C16 steps. Canada
  • Employer Portal — where employers file the offer and pay the fee.
How Fairworld Immigration can help

We help employers and candidates prepare complete, compliant files:

  • Verify the NOC and TEER for your job
  • Advise on proof of French and what IRCC accepts
  • Guide employers through the Employer Portal and C16 steps
  • Build a PR roadmap that makes sense for your goals

Start with a consultation at Fairworld Immigration Consulting:

Common FAQs to Francophone Mobility work permit

Do I need French test scores if I studied in French
Not always. You can submit official proof of French-language education instead of TEF/TCF, as long as it clearly shows French was the language of instruction and it meets IRCC’s requirement for speaking and listening at an intermediate level. Canada

Can my spouse work in Canada
Yes. Your spouse or partner may be eligible for an open work permit while you work in Canada under Francophone Mobility. Always confirm current rules before applying. Canada

How long is the permit valid
IRCC usually issues the permit for the length of the job offer, and renewals are possible if eligibility continues. Canada

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