Work Permit
Francophone Mobility Work Permit (C16) in Canada
The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is an International Mobility Program option for eligible French-speaking foreign workers with a job offer outside Quebec. It is generally an employer-specific, LMIA-exempt work permit: the employer submits the offer using exemption code C16 before the worker applies. This C16 work permit still requires proof of intermediate French speaking and listening ability and approval by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Why Choose Francophone Mobility?
No LMIA Required
Employers don't need to prove they couldn't find a Canadian worker. Faster, easier hiring.
Clear Employer Process
An eligible employer submits the offer under C16 before the worker applies. Processing times still vary.
Work Outside Quebec
Designed for French speakers who want to work in provinces other than Quebec.
Path to PR
Eligible Canadian work experience may support a separate permanent residence application later.
What Is the Francophone Mobility Program?
Francophone Mobility helps employers recruit French-speaking workers for jobs in Canadian provinces and territories outside Quebec. It is part of the International Mobility Program, which allows certain employers to hire without first obtaining a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). The exemption does not remove the need for a genuine job offer, an eligible worker or an approved work permit.
Unlike a regular LMIA-based route, the employer does not ask Employment and Social Development Canada to assess the labour-market impact of this particular offer. Instead, the employer follows IRCC’s Employer Portal process. The worker must still meet the Francophone Mobility eligibility rules and the general rules for working temporarily in Canada.
What Is the C16 Work Permit?
C16 is the LMIA exemption code used for Francophone Mobility. A C16 work permit is generally employer-specific: its conditions identify the employer, occupation and place of work. It is not an open work permit that lets the holder work for any employer. The employer must submit the offer to IRCC and give the worker the resulting seven-digit offer of employment number before the application is filed.
A job offer alone does not authorize work. The worker should wait for the applicable IRCC approval and follow the conditions printed on the permit. See IRCC’s current C16 eligibility and employer instructions.
Francophone Mobility Work Permit Requirements
To qualify for Francophone Mobility, you need to meet these basic requirements:
- French speaking and listening ability equivalent to NCLC 5 or higher
- Job offer from employer outside Quebec
- Job offer in any TEER category, except primary agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and 5
- Meet general work permit requirements
- Valid passport
- Satisfy the usual admissibility and document requirements for a work permit
Possible Destinations Outside Quebec
Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury
Winnipeg, Saint-Boniface
Edmonton, Calgary
Vancouver, Victoria
These cities are examples, not an exclusive list. The actual job location must be outside Quebec.
French Language Requirement for Francophone Mobility
For applications filed on or after June 15, 2023, IRCC requires intermediate French speaking and listening, equivalent to NCLC level 5 or higher. Reading and writing are not required for this particular exemption. This is a language requirement for the applicant, not necessarily the language used at work.
Is NCLC 5 Enough for Francophone Mobility?
NCLC 5 in both speaking and listening meets the stated language threshold, provided the other work-permit and job-offer conditions are also met. It does not guarantee approval.
Do I Need TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Not necessarily. IRCC lists speaking and listening TEF or TCF results as possible evidence, but it also accepts other documents that demonstrate education in French.
Can I Prove My French Without a Language Test?
A transcript or official completion letter from a French-language college or university program may help demonstrate the required ability. IRCC assesses the evidence you provide; include clear documentation rather than assuming any document will automatically qualify.
Review IRCC’s instructions for proving French-language ability before applying.
Which Jobs Are Eligible for Francophone Mobility?
For applications made under the current rules, the job can be in any NOC TEER category, except a primary agriculture occupation in TEER 4 or 5. Older descriptions limiting Francophone Mobility jobs to “skilled” TEER 0–3 positions reflect the pre–June 15, 2023 rules. Confirm the occupation’s NOC code and TEER, its actual duties and the work location. The job must be outside Quebec, but IRCC does not require the position itself to be French-speaking.
Francophone Mobility Employer Requirements
Before the worker applies, the Canadian employer submits an offer of employment in IRCC’s Employer Portal using C16, pays the CAD $230 employer compliance fee, and gives the worker the seven-digit offer of employment number and signed offer. The offer must accurately identify the employer, duties, wages and location. The worker needs that number to complete the work-permit application.
IRCC publishes the official employer steps for hiring French-speaking workers outside Quebec.
Francophone Mobility vs an LMIA-Based Work Permit
Both are generally employer-specific work permits. Under Francophone Mobility, an eligible job offer outside Quebec can use the C16 LMIA exemption, with its French speaking and listening requirement and Employer Portal submission. A regular LMIA-based route generally requires the employer to obtain a positive LMIA first and follows a different employer process. Neither route provides automatic entry, work authorization or permanent residence.
Application Process
Obtain a Job Offer
Confirm the job, NOC and work location outside Quebec with the employer.
Employer Submits Offer
The employer uses the IRCC Employer Portal under C16 and pays the compliance fee.
Get the Offer Number
The employer gives you the seven-digit number and signed job offer.
Prepare Documents
Gather your passport, French-language evidence and personalized IRCC checklist.
Apply to IRCC
Submit the employer-specific LMIA-exempt work-permit application and pay your fee.
Complete Requests
Provide biometrics, a medical exam or additional documents if IRCC asks for them.
Await the Decision
Check your account and follow the conditions of any permit issued.
Documents Required for a Francophone Mobility Work Permit
IRCC generates a personalized document checklist from your answers. Common items include a valid passport, the signed job offer, the seven-digit offer number, completed forms and proof of French speaking and listening ability. Keep the job title, duties, employer details and location consistent across the application.
Depending on your circumstances and occupation, IRCC may also request a résumé, education records, evidence of work experience, a professional licence, biometrics, a medical examination or country-specific documents. These are not all mandatory in every case. Follow your own checklist and any later IRCC request.
Francophone Mobility Work Permit Fees
IRCC currently lists a CAD $155 work-permit processing fee for the worker. The employer separately pays the CAD $230 compliance feebefore the application. Biometrics may cost CAD $85 for an individual when required; other costs can depend on the case. Government fees can change, so check IRCC’s Francophone Mobility page and the official fee list before paying.
Francophone Mobility Processing Time
There is no guaranteed processing time for a C16 application. Estimates vary by country, application volume, completeness and whether biometrics, medical results or further checks are needed. An LMIA exemption removes the LMIA stage; it does not promise a decision within a fixed number of weeks. Consult IRCC’s processing-time tool when planning your start date.
Can Your Spouse and Children Come to Canada?
Family members may be able to seek temporary resident status appropriate to their plans, such as visitor or study status. A spouse’s open-work-permit eligibility is separate from the principal worker’s C16 eligibility. Under current IRCC rules, only certain spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers qualify; the worker’s TEER category, occupation and remaining permit validity may matter. An open work permit is not automatic, and dependent children do not automatically receive one. Check current family work-permit eligibility for each person.
Can Francophone Mobility Lead to Permanent Residence?
Francophone Mobility is a temporary work-permit pathway, not a grant of permanent residence. Qualifying Canadian work experience may later help an applicant meet the criteria of Express Entry, including the Canadian Experience Class where applicable, or a provincial nominee program. Each permanent-residence route has separate eligibility, language, experience and selection rules. A C16 permit or job offer alone guarantees neither an invitation nor permanent residence.
Last checked against IRCC guidance: September 25, 2026. For individualized advice, explore our work-permit services or book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Francophone Mobility Work Permit?
It is an LMIA-exempt, generally employer-specific work-permit option for eligible French-speaking workers with a job offer outside Quebec.
What is the C16 work permit?
C16 is IRCC’s LMIA exemption code for Francophone Mobility. The employer uses it when submitting the offer through the Employer Portal.
Does Francophone Mobility require an LMIA?
No. If all C16 conditions are met, the employer can use this exemption rather than obtaining an LMIA. Other employer and worker requirements still apply.
What French level is required?
For applications under the current rules, IRCC requires French speaking and listening at an intermediate level equivalent to NCLC 5 or higher.
Is NCLC 5 enough?
NCLC 5 in speaking and listening meets the language threshold, but the job offer, location, occupation and general work-permit rules must also be satisfied.
Do I need TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Not always. TEF or TCF speaking and listening results are possible evidence, while IRCC also lists documents showing education in French.
Can I work in Quebec with Francophone Mobility?
No. This exemption is intended for someone who will live and work outside Quebec. A Quebec job must be assessed under another route.
Which jobs qualify?
Jobs in any NOC TEER category may qualify, except primary agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and 5. The duties and work location must match the offer.
Does my job need to be in French?
No. The worker must demonstrate the required French speaking and listening ability, but the job itself does not have to be conducted in French.
How does an employer submit a C16 job offer?
The employer submits the offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal under C16, pays the applicable compliance fee and gives the worker the seven-digit offer number.
What is the employer compliance fee?
IRCC currently lists CAD $230, paid by the employer. Check the official fee schedule before submitting an offer because fees may change.
How long does a Francophone Mobility application take?
Processing varies by application and location. Use IRCC’s current processing-time tool; no fixed timeline or approval can be guaranteed.
Can I apply from outside Canada?
Yes, IRCC provides instructions for applicants outside Canada. Applying from within Canada is also possible only when the general in-Canada work-permit rules allow it.
Can my spouse work in Canada?
Possibly, but a spouse must qualify separately under the current family open-work-permit rules. A C16 permit does not automatically grant a spouse work authorization.
Can this lead to permanent residence?
This is a temporary work permit, not permanent residence. Eligible Canadian experience may later help with Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial program, subject to separate requirements.
Official source: IRCC — Francophone Mobility eligibility. Reviewed September 25, 2026.
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Parlez-vous français? Work in Canada!
Have your job offer, French-language evidence and employer compliance steps reviewed before applying.