Mobilité Francophone
A work permit for French speakers outside Quebec
Also known as the Francophone Mobility work permit, this is one of the most accessible work permit options outside the IEC program. It has no age limit, is open to applicants of all nationalities, and does not require an LMIA.
How can I get my employer on board?
Many employers are hesitant and often assume that supporting a work permit application means going through the lengthy, complicated and expensive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
The good news? Francophone Mobility is different!
It is an LMIA-exempt work permit, meaning your employer does not need to apply for an LMIA. In fact, supporting your application is relatively straightforward and comes with several advantages:
- No LMIA: Your employer does not have to go through the complicated recruitment and advertising process.
- Keep a valued employee: The work permit is employer-specific, allowing your employer to retain you for the duration of the approved work permit.
- Low cost: The employer compliance fee is only $230.
- Simple online process: The employer simply needs to register for the Employer Portal, submit the job offer and pay the compliance fee.
My advice: When talking to your employer, avoid using the word “sponsorship”. It can sound like a complicated immigration process. Instead, explain that you only need their support with a simple online job offer submission.
The employer portal enrolment guide and user guide can help them understand the process:
General overview – What is Francophone Mobility?
The Francophone Mobility work permit (also known as Mobilité Francophone) is an employer-specific work permit under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP).
It allows eligible French-speaking foreign workers to live and work in any Canadian province or territory outside Quebec.
How is it different from the International Experience Canada (IEC) program?
The Francophone Mobility program offers several advantages:
- Open to all nationalities: You do not need to be a citizen of a specific country.
- No age limit: Unlike IEC, there is no maximum age requirement.
- No invitation process: There is no pool to enter and no invitation to wait for.
- No limit on applications: You can apply for this type of work permit multiple times, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
The Francophone Mobility program is open to all nationalities
Eligibility – What are the requirements?
To qualify for the Francophone Mobility program, you must meet the following requirements:
Live and work outside Quebec: You must reside and work in a Canadian province or territory other than Quebec.
French-language proficiency: You must demonstrate that you can speak and listen in French at an intermediate level, equivalent to at least NCLC level 5. There is no minimum requirement for reading or writing.
A qualifying job offer: You must have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer for a position classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
The position can generally fall under any TEER category (0 to 5).
Exception: Certain primary agriculture occupations classified under TEER 4 and 5 are excluded from the program.
Questions about the Francophone Mobility eligibility
Can I apply if I am self-employed?
Francophone Mobility requires an offer of employment from a Canadian employer. It is not designed for someone who simply wants to work independently as a self-employed person.
Can I apply if I have never worked in Canada before?
Yes. You do not need previous Canadian work experience to qualify for Francophone Mobility. You simply need a qualifying job offer, the required French-language abilities and must meet the general work permit requirements.
Can I apply if I am over 35 years old?
Absolutely! Unlike the IEC Working Holiday program, Francophone Mobility does not have an age limit. You can apply at any age, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can I apply for Francophone Mobility with a TEER 4 or TEER 5 job?
Yes! One of the biggest advantages of this program is that it is not restricted to skilled occupations. You can qualify with a job in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
The exception is certain primary agriculture occupations classified under TEER 4 and 5, which are excluded from the program.
What does 'primary agriculture' mean?
Here is the screenshot from the official Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
French-language requirements
Do I need to be a French native speaker to qualify for the for Francophone Mobility?
No. You do not need to be a native French speaker. You must demonstrate French speaking and listening abilities equivalent to at least NCLC level 5. You can qualify even if French is your second or third language.
Can I apply if I learn French in Canada?
Yes. It does not matter where or how you learn French. You can learn French in your home country, in Canada, through language courses or independently. What matters is that you can demonstrate speaking and listening abilities equivalent to NCLC level 5 or higher.
What does 'level 5 and higher on the NCLC scale' mean?
It refers to an intermediate level of French proficiency. At this stage, you are expected to have fluent conversations in both social and professional settings. This level on the NCLC scale closely corresponds to a B1 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Do I need to achieve NCLC 5 in all four language skills?
No. For Francophone Mobility, the language requirement focuses on speaking and listening at NCLC level 5 or higher. Reading and writing are not part of this particular language requirement.
Do I need to speak French at work?
Not necessarily. Your job does not have to require French as a working language.
Is Duolingo sufficient proof of French proficiency? What language tests are accepted?
What happens if the immigration officer wants to verify my French?
Do I need a new language test if I apply for the work permit again?
You do not need to take a new French test. However, I’m quoting the official website information here:
“The determination of whether the applicant has a moderate French-language proficiency at the CLB or NCLC level 5 or higher was made at the time of initial application; therefore, a proof-of-language test result is not required upon renewal unless the processing officer has concerns.”
Job offer and employer questions
Does my employer have to advertise the position before hiring me?
No. An LMIA is not required under Francophone Mobility, so the LMIA recruitment and advertising requirements do not apply. They can submit the job offer through the Employer Portal right away.
Can I work in Quebec with a Francophone Mobility work permit?
No. The program is designed for people who intend to live and work outside Quebec. Your intended employment location must be in one of Canada’s other provinces or territories.
I live in Ontario but do remote work for an employer in Quebec
Remote work for an employer based in Quebec does not qualify for the Mobilité Francophone work permit. The employer must be located outside of Quebec.
For how long is the work permit valid?
The officer can issue the work permit for the length of your job offer, or until your passport expires—whichever comes first. So, if your employer submitted a job offer for two years, you will receive a work permit for that same duration.
Can I have more than one employer under Francophone Mobility?
A Francophone Mobility work permit is employer-specific. It authorizes you to work for the employer and under the conditions specified on your permit. A separate work permit is necessary to work for another employer.
Can I apply for this work permit following the Working Holiday if I already work for the employer?
Yes, absolutely. If you’ve already used an IEC Working Holiday work permit, you can still apply for a Mobilité Francophone work permit afterward. Your employer must first complete all required steps in the Employer Portal to obtain an offer of employment number. Once that’s done, you can apply for the work permit online. >> Here is a helpful guide on how to apply. <<
Can I change employers with this work permit?
No, this work permit is employer-specific, which means it is tied to the employer named on your permit and the location of the job.
If you are laid off or choose to leave your job, you will need to find a new employer willing to complete the process in the Employer Portal and pay the $230 compliance fee. Once that is done, you can apply for a new work permit for that employer.
You don’t need to wait until your work permit application is approved to start your new job for a new employer. You can request an authorization to work. For more information on changing employers, click on the official government website >> here.
Can I change job positions with the same employer?
It depends on the type of change.
- Minor changes in the same NOC:
- If your job title changes but your actual duties and responsibilities remain the same, you do not need a new work permit.
- More significant changes:
- Even if your new duties fall under the same NOC code, substantial changes to your job responsibilities, wages or working conditions require you to apply to change your work permit conditions.
- Different NOC:
- If your new duties fall under a different NOC code, you will need a new work permit and your employer will need to submit a new offer of employment through the Employer Portal.
Can I extend this work permit?
You cannot extend this work permit; however, you can apply for a new one if your employer provides a new job offer. There is no limit to how many times you can apply for this type of work permit.
Other common questions
How do I apply for the Francophone Mobility work permit?
I am in Canada; can I go to the USA border to apply for this work permit?
This option called ‘flagpoling’ was possible in previous years. However, with the changes to the flagpoling rules this option was ended at the USA border starting December 24, 2025
As a result, the only way to apply for this work permit is online.
Despite this flagpoling dilemma, there is one thing you can try, but it is not a guarantee: Fly out of Canada (and outside of the USA) and return by plane to apply for the work permit at the airport with all required documents. For example a trip to Mexico.
Do I also need health insurance for this work permit?
No, health insurance is not mandatory for the Mobilité Francophone work permit because it is not part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
If you’d like peace of mind during your stay in Canada, you may want to consider purchasing travel or health insurance. You can look into BestQuote, a Canadian insurance broker that offers a range of policies.
I recommend requesting a quote and checking directly with the broker that the policy covers your specific situation and needs.
Can I continue working while waiting for my Francophone Mobility work permit?
Yes. If you apply for a Mobilité Francophone work permit before your current work permit expires, you will have maintained status (formerly known as implied status).
Once you submit a complete application with all required documents, your maintained status automatically takes effect when your current work permit expires. This means you can continue working under the same conditions as your current work permit until a decision is made on your new application.
To qualify for maintained status, you must:
- Apply before your current work permit expires,
- Submit all required documents and meet all eligibility requirements for the new work permit, and
- Remain in Canada while your new application is being processed.
Can I change this work permit to an 'open work permit'?
You cannot simply “switch” from a closed work permit (which ties you to a single employer) to an open work permit (which allows you to work for any employer).
The only exception is if you’re in an abusive work situation. In such cases, you might be eligible for an open work permit if you’re being exploited.
If you would like to have an open work permit, you’ll need to apply separately, and you’ll have to meet the specific eligibility requirements for that permit.
Can my partner apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)?
Your partner may be eligible to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) after you receive your Francophone Mobility work permit in Canada. However, it depends on your occupation’s TEER category.
Here is the official Government of Canada / IRCC page: Open work permits for family members of foreign workers
Can this work permit help my chances in the PR application?
Yes, absolutely, it can significantly boost your chances. The biggest news from the Canadian government: French speakers are a top priority for Canadian immigration until 2027.
Fin out more >> here << about why learning French can boost your chances for Canadian immigration.