Pathways & policy
Francophone Mobility (C16): the fastest legal way to work in Canada with French
If PR feels far away and you just want to be in Canada legally, working, the biggest obstacle is usually the employer's LMIA. French removes it. With NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, a Canadian employer outside Quebec can hire you on an LMIA-exempt work permit.
Updated November 2026 · 3 min read
The short answer
- The Francophone Mobility program (exemption code C16) lets employers outside Quebec hire French speakers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
- You need NCLC 5 in speaking and listening (roughly B1), much less than the NCLC 7 in four skills that the Express Entry French category requires. Reading and writing are not assessed.
- Almost any job counts: TEER 0 to 5, except primary agriculture, and the job doesn't have to be in French.
- It's a bridge: Canadian work experience counts toward CEC, and you can keep improving your French toward NCLC 7 while you work.
1What C16 solves
Normally, a Canadian employer who wants to hire a foreign worker must first get an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada, proving no Canadian was available. It costs CAD 1,000 per position, takes months and is often refused. Most employers simply won't do it for a candidate abroad.
Under Francophone Mobility, the employer skips the LMIA. They submit the job offer in IRCC's Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee (CAD 230). You then apply for the work permit yourself. For the employer, hiring you becomes almost as simple as hiring a local.
2Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| French | NCLC 5 or higher in speaking and listening (TCF Canada: listening 369+, speaking 6+) |
| Job | Any TEER 0–5 occupation except primary agriculture |
| Location | Anywhere in Canada except Quebec |
| Language of work | Not required to be French |
| Employer | Submits the offer in the Employer Portal and pays the compliance fee |
3The four-step route
- 1
Get the French result
Take the TCF Canada (or TEF Canada) and secure NCLC 5+ in speaking and listening. Taking all four sections gives you a baseline for later Express Entry use.
- 2
Find an employer and tell them about C16
Many hiring managers have never heard of it. Explain in one line: "You can hire me without an LMIA under Francophone Mobility; you submit the offer online and pay a CAD 230 fee." Francophone employment networks and job boards in Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and BC are good starting points.
- 3
The employer submits the offer
They enter the offer in the IRCC Employer Portal using exemption code C16, and give you the offer number.
- 4
Apply for your work permit
Apply online with the offer number and your test result. Depending on your country you may be able to apply at a port of entry; most people apply online before travelling.
4Bringing your family
Children can usually come with you and attend public school. Spousal open work permits were narrowed in January 2025 and now depend on the principal worker's occupation level, so check IRCC's current rules for your specific job before you plan around a second income.
5From C16 to permanent residence
- Build Canadian experience. One year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work makes you eligible for CEC and adds 40 core CRS points.
- Keep studying French. Living near francophone communities helps. Push from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7 in all four skills while you work.
- Then apply through the French category. Canadian experience plus NCLC 7 typically puts a profile well above recent French-draw cut-offs.
- Look at provincial French streams. Several provinces actively recruit French-speaking workers already in the province.
6Frequently asked questions
What French level do I need for Francophone Mobility?+
NCLC 5 or higher in speaking and listening on a TCF Canada or TEF Canada result. Reading and writing are not assessed for this work permit.
Does the job have to be in French?+
No. The job can be in English, as long as it is outside Quebec and in an eligible occupation (TEER 0–5, excluding primary agriculture).
Does the employer need an LMIA?+
No. That is the point of the program. The employer submits the job offer in the IRCC Employer Portal under code C16 and pays the CAD 230 employer compliance fee.
Can Francophone Mobility lead to PR?+
Yes, indirectly. Skilled Canadian work experience gained on the permit counts toward the Canadian Experience Class and CRS points, and with NCLC 7 French you can also target French-category draws.
Keep reading
Turn the method into points
Practise with levelled TCF Canada questions and full mock exams built for NCLC 7, with an explanation for every answer.