Francophone Mobility Work Permit

Looking to work in Canada? The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is a streamlined solution for French-speaking skilled workers aiming for a quick and efficient relocation to Canada’s vibrant communities outside Quebec. This program simplifies the immigration process, waives the LMIA for Canadian employers, and offers a direct avenue to employment for eligible candidates. In this article, we provide a clear understanding of eligibility, application steps, and how this permit acts as a stepping stone towards Canadian permanent residence.

Key Takeaways

• The Francophone Mobility Work Permit simplifies the process for Canadian employers to hire French-speaking skilled workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment and offers workers expedited paths to work permits.
• To be eligible for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit, applicants must demonstrate French language proficiency at CLB/NCLC level 5 or higher, have a job offer outside of Quebec, and meet job skill level requirements.
• The Francophone Mobility Work Permit allows for family reunification by permitting accompanying family members to apply for open work permits and study permits, and also holds potential to facilitate the transition to permanent Canadian residence.

Understanding the Francophone Mobility Work Permit

The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is part of the International Mobility Program. Designed to facilitate the hiring of French-speaking skilled workers by Canadian employers, the program promotes the growth of Francophone communities in Canada by attracting more French-speaking immigrants. Applicants must have a job offer to apply for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit.

The benefits are mutual and substantial for both Canadian employers and foreign workers.

For Canadian employers, hiring through the Francophone Mobility Program means bypassing the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), providing bilingual services, and gaining facile access to international markets.

For the individual, the program offers a quicker path to obtaining a work permit compared to the LMIA process, and with simplified eligibility requirements.

Fundamentally, the Francophone Mobility Program eases the hiring process by absolving employers from the LMIA application fee and other LMIA requirements, like advertising and application process. This leads to a faster, easier, and less expensive process for employers, and since 2016, it has become even easier for French speakers to obtain a work permit under this program.

Eligibility Criteria for Francophone Mobility For Employers And Applicants

One might ask, “What are the eligibility requirements for the Francophone Mobility Program?” To be eligible for assessment under subparagraph R205(c)(ii) and administrative code C16, foreign nationals must meet several requirements.

The first of these is geographical: applicants must be destined to live and work in a province or territory outside Quebec.

The second requirement relates to the nature of employment. Applicants must have an offer of employment in either a high-skilled or a low-skilled occupation. However, those with a job offer in a low-skilled occupation in a primary agriculture sector are not eligible to apply for a work permit under the administrative code C16.

Finally, language proficiency is a vital criterion for the Francophone Mobility Program. Applicants must provide proof of the ability to communicate in French, equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 5 or higher. This could be demonstrated by results from a French Evaluation Test (TEF) or a Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF), or other documents that show education in French.

It is important to note that applicants do not need to originate from French-speaking countries; their eligibility is based on meeting the French language proficiency criteria requirements.

The Application Process Simplified for Applicants

So, what’s the procedure to apply for a Francophone Mobility Work Permit? The immigration process is straightforward and begins by:

1. Obtaining a job offer from an employer and the Employer registering the job offer in the Employer Portal
2. Creating an online account on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) website, and obtaining a personalized document checklist after answering a few questions.
3. Gathering the required documents to apply online. Some individuals may be able to apply at the Port of Entry, like border or airport.

The applicant must have an offer of employment number and proof of French language ability, which they will upload in the Client Information field. Employers play a significant role in this process by submitting a job offer through the employer portal, which is a part of the express entry system.

Once the necessary documents are ready, applicants must fill out the application forms accurately and submit them along with the required work permit processing fee. Following these steps carefully will ensure a smooth application process.

Employer's Role in Facilitating Francophone Mobility

Employers have a significant part in the implementation of the Francophone Mobility Program. The program uses LMIA exemption code C16, which allows Canadian employers to bypass the LMIA process when offering employment to eligible French-speaking skilled workers. This means employers are exempt from the requirement to advertise the position or ensure that French is the language of employment, both requirements of LMIAs.

The Francophone Mobility program presents a cost-effective hiring solution for employers. The program offers:

• A reduced employer compliance fee of $230 (as of February 18, 2024 - fees change sometimes), compared to the $1000 fee for an LMIA
• The absence of a prevailing wage rate requirement
• Less time to submit a job offer through the employer portal, as opposed to preparing an LMIA

These factors make the program an attractive choice for employers.

When issuing an offer of employment, a Canadian employer must register it in the Employer Portal. Overall, the Francophone Mobility Program simplifies the hiring process for Canadian employers while offering them access to a pool of talented French-speaking foreign nationals.

Extending Your Stay: Work Permit Renewal Insights

The Francophone Mobility Program allows for work permit renewals, ensuring flexibility and continuity for both workers and employers. To renew the work permit, employers need to ensure the foreign worker remains employed in an occupation outside Quebec and continues to meet the initial program criteria.

When submitting a renewal application, the employer and individual need to prepare the work permit application with the same requirements. Assuming there is a business need and the individual continues to have French language proficiency, another Francophone mobility program work permit can be submitted.

Proof of French language ability now needs to be uploaded in the Client Information field when renewing the work permit. During the renewal process, a reassessment of the applicant’s French language ability is typically not required. However, a new language exam can demonstrate that the individual has maintained their French language skills.

Family Matters: Bringing Accompanying Family Members

Holders of the Francophone Mobility Work Permit have the privilege to bring their family members with them to Canada. Spouses and common-law partners of work permit holders are eligible to apply for their own open work permit. This allows families to stay together while pursuing their work and life goals in Canada.

For those with school-age children, the program offers a unique opportunity. Accompanying children of work permit holders are permitted to attend Canadian educational institutions. They must apply for a study permit before entering the country or from within Canada if they qualify for an exemption.

Minor children, particularly those under 17 years of age, may require a custodian in Canada. The application for minors must include a notarized declaration of custodianship. This requirement is assessed on a case-by-case basis for minors between 17 years and the provincial or territorial age of majority.

The Francophone Mobility Program thus promotes family unity and offers a comprehensive package for the entire family.

Transitioning to Permanent Residence

Possession of a Francophone Mobility Work Permit can notably speed up the journey towards permanent residence in Canada. The work permit can meet the requirements for an offer of arrangement employer, providing the applicant with an additional 50 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points if they work for the same employer on the work permit for at least one year.

Strong French language skills contribute to a higher score on the CRS for Express Entry, especially when candidates also demonstrate English proficiency with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher. Furthermore, Francophone Mobility Work Permit holders can increase their Express Entry points by gaining Canadian work experience, a valued factor in the Express Entry selection.

Francophone Mobility Work Permit holders can apply for permanent residency as soon as they fulfill the eligibility requirements. This program not only offers an opportunity to work in Canada but also paves the way for a long-term stay, cementing the path to becoming permanent residents and eventually achieving Citizenship Canada.

Summary

In summary, the Francophone Mobility Work Permit is a golden opportunity for French-speaking skilled workers to work in Canada. It simplifies the hiring process for Canadian employers, promotes the growth of Francophone communities, and expedites the path to permanent residence for foreign workers.

The path to Canada is now wide open for French-speaking skilled workers. So, why not seize this opportunity and embark on an exciting journey of career growth, cultural immersion, and personal development in the heart of Canada?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Francophone mobility program?

The Francophone Mobility Program is a Canadian government initiative that provides work permits to French-speaking foreign nationals who will live and work in a community outside of Quebec, making it easier for Canadian employers to hire them without a labor market impact assessment.

What are the language requirements for the Francophone Mobility Program?

The language requirements for the Francophone Mobility Program have been updated, with the minimum language proficiency now being a moderate command of French. This change was announced on June 15, 2023.

What is the LMIA exemption for French speakers?

The LMIA exemption code for Francophone Mobility is C16, and employers are not required to provide a French-speaking working environment to these candidates. This allows French speakers to work in Canada without the requirement of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

What is the duration of the Francophone Mobility work permit?

The Francophone Mobility work permit is employer-specific, valid for the duration of the employment offer, and renewable. There is no cap on the number of applicants, and proficiency in French may be tested during the application process, such as phone call or in person interview.