The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Program

This pilot program is designed to support economic growth and strengthen Francophone culture in six participating communities where French-speaking populations are underrepresented. By connecting skilled workers with designated employers, the FCIP facilitates the integration of French-speaking professionals into local labor markets and communities.

If you are a French-speaking professional or willing to develop basic French proficiency, this program offers a unique pathway to permanent residence in Canada.

This guide provides comprehensive information on eligibility requirements, how to find a designated employer, application steps, and what to expect after applying—ensuring you have the best chance of success under the FCIP.

What is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is part of Canada’s broader initiative to support Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec. It is designed specifically for French-speaking or bilingual candidates who wish to live and work in rural and smaller communities where French culture is present but needs support to grow.

Benefits of the FCIP vs. Other Immigration Programs

The FCIP offers unique advantages compared to other immigration pathways such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):

Priority for French-Speaking Candidates

• Unlike other programs open to all languages, the FCIP is tailored for French-speaking or bilingual professionals who want to contribute to Francophone communities.

Low French Language Requirements

• The minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for French is 5, whereas Express Entry requires CLB 7 or higher.

Flexible Work Experience Criteria

• Only one year (1,560 hours) of work experience in the past three years is required.
• International graduates from a participating community may be exempt from work experience requirements.

Community Support & Settlement Assistance

• The program provides community recommendations, helping candidates with housing, job placement, and integration services.

Direct Pathway to Permanent Residence

• Applicants can apply directly for permanent residence, unlike some programs that are expression of interest based with only the highest scoring applicants being successful

Eligible for a Temporary Work Permit

• While waiting for permanent residence processing, applicants can apply for a two-year employer-specific work permit.

How Does the FCIP Work?

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) functions as a community-driven immigration program that facilitates economic and social integration. Employers in participating communities apply for designation to hire foreign workers. Applicants must secure a valid job offer from a designated employer and receive a community recommendation before applying for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Additionally, eligible candidates can apply for a two-year work permit while awaiting their permanent residence approval. Communities also provide settlement support, including housing assistance, language training, and job placement services to help newcomers integrate successfully.

What You’ll Need to Qualify for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot 

To apply for permanent residence through the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), you must have:

1. A Job Offer from a Designated Employer

To qualify, your job offer must be from a Designated Employer in a participating community. Each participating community will have their own way to designate employers. As this is a new program, the participating community are still working on this process.  

The job offer must be in a priority sector or occupation. Before applying, make sure that your job offer is in a priority sector or occupation. 

2. Have Sufficient Previous Work Experience or International Graduate Status 

For Skilled Workers:

You need at least 1,560 hours of paid, related work (about one year of full-time work at 30 hours per week) in the last five years.

How Job Offers Match Work Experience by TEER Category:

Your job offer should align with your past experience (unless you’re an international graduate). Here’s a quick guide on what that means:

TEER 0 or 1 job offer > Experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 occupation.  

TEER 2 job offer > Experience must be in a TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4 occupation. 

TEER 3 or 4 job offer > Experience must be in a TEER 2, 3 or 4 occupation. 

TEER 5 job offer > Experience must be in the same TEER 5 occupation. 

An exception to this is that if your work experience is in NOC 31301 (Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses – TEER 1), you can have a job offer in one of the following occupation categories: 

• NOC 33102 (TEER 3): Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates or 
• NOC 44101 (TEER 4): Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations.

For International Graduates:

If you graduated from a recognized public post-secondary institution in a participating community, you may be exempt from the work experience requirement, provided you meet one of the following conditions:

For Diplomas & Undergraduate Degrees:

• Completed a program of at least two years
• Studied full-time throughout the program
• Earned your credential within the past 18 months before applying for permanent residence
• Lived in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months while studying

For Master’s Degrees or Higher:

• Completed a master’s degree or higher that lasted two years or less
• Studied full-time throughout the program
• Obtained your degree within the past 18 months before applying for permanent residence
• Lived in the community for the entire duration of your studies

5. Have Sufficient Funds to Support Yourself and Your Family In Canada

You need enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive. The amount depends on your family size (including you, your spouse/partner, and dependent kids—even if they’re not coming with you): 

1 person: $7,963 CAD 

2 people: $9,692 CAD 

3 people: $12,069 CAD 

 4 people: $15,056 CAD 

 5 people: $17,145 CAD 

 6 people: $19,015 CAD 

 7 people: $20,884 CAD 

 Each extra family member: $1,869 CAD 

Which Communities Are Participating in the FCIP?  

There are six participating Communities for the FCIP. These are 

• Acadian Peninsula, NB  
• Sudbury, ON  
• Timmins, ON  
• Superior East Region, ON  
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB  
• Kelowna, BC. 

How to Find a Designated Employer 

Each of the six participating communities is working with employers to create the designation process. More information on the designation process can be found here.  

Required Documents for Your Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Application 

To apply to the FCIP, you will need to provide all the necessary supporting documents, including, but not limited to:  

Identity and Civil Status Documents 

• Valid passport (biographical page) 
• Birth certificates (applicant and family members) 
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) 
• Legal name change documents (if applicable)  

Job Offer Documentation 

• Offer of Employment (IMM 0251) (completed and signed) 
• Signed employment contract  

Language Proficiency 

• Approved French language test results (less than two years old) demonstrating at least CLB level 5 in all 4 areas.

Educational Credentials 

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (if education was completed outside Canada) with a copy of the original certificate and transcripts 
• Canadian diplomas, degrees, or certificates and transcripts (if applicable)

Proof of Work Experience 

• Reference letters from previous employers 
• Pay stubs or tax documents  

Proof of Settlement Funds  

• Recent bank statements or financial certificates  

Police Certificates 

• Background checks (for each country where you’ve lived for six+ months since age 18)

Medical Examination 

• Medical report from an approved panel physician

Photographs 

• Immigration approved photo for each family member 

Completed Application Forms 

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) 
• Application Checklist (IMM 0250) 
• Schedule 1- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (IMM0252) 
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) (main applicant and any dependent over the age of 18) 
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) (main applicant and any dependent over the age of 18) 
• Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562) (main applicant and any dependent over the age of 18) 
• Recommendation Certificate from the Designated Economic Organization (IMM 0253) 

 Payment of Processing Fees 

• Government processing fees, the right of permanent residence fee, and biometric fee for you and accompanying family members. 

Any document that is not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. 

Application Costs for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Application 

The application fees for the FCIP are as follows: 

Application Fees: 

Principal Applicant: 

• Processing Fee: $950 CAD 
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 CAD 
• Total: $1,525 CAD 

Accompanying Spouse or Common-Law Partner: 

• Processing Fee: $950 CAD 
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $575 CAD 
• Total: $1,525 CAD 

Dependent Child: 

• Processing Fee: $260 CAD per child 
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: Not applicable 
• Total: $260 CAD per child 

Biometrics Fees: 

• Individual Applicant: $85 CAD 
• Family (2 or more people applying together): $170 CAD 

There will also be other fees associated with gathering the necessary supporting documents to apply.  

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Application Processing Times 

There is no data on how long applications under the FCIP will take to process. 

We expect that applications will take between 6 to 12 months from the date the applicant gives their biometrics.  

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Francophone Community Immigration Pilot  

Embarking on the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) involves several key steps to achieve permanent residence a participating community. Here’s a concise guide to navigate the application process: 

Secure a Job Offer from a Designated Employer 

• Find Employment: Obtain a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an employer designated by the community where you intend to reside. 

 Obtain a Community Recommendation 

• Sent directly by the employer: Obtain a community recommendation that will confirm the job offer is in a priority sector or occupation, the offer is real, and the worker meets all the requirements for the pilot. 

Prepare and Submit Your Permanent Residence Application 

• Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including your job offer, endorsement certificate, language proficiency results, educational credentials, and proof of funds (if applicable). 
• Complete Application Forms: Fill out the required forms accurately. 
• Submit Application: Apply online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal, ensuring all information is complete to avoid processing delays. 

Provide Biometrics 

• Biometric Fee: Pay the biometric fee when submitting your application. 
• Biometric Collection: Upon receiving a biometric instruction letter from IRCC, provide your fingerprints and photograph within 30 days at an authorized collection center. 

Optional: Apply for a Work Permit 

• Prepare and submit your work permit application. 

Application Processing and Decision 

• IRCC Review: Your application will be assessed for eligibility and completeness. 
• Additional Information: Respond promptly to any requests for further information or documentation. 
• Decision Notification: Receive a decision on your application. If approved, you’ll be issued the necessary documents to travel to Canada. 

Arrival in Canada 

• Travel Documents: Ensure you have your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if required, a permanent resident visa. 
• Port of Entry: Present your documents to the Canada Border Services Agency upon arrival for verification and admission into Canada OR activate your status from within Canada.

Including Family Members in Your Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Application  

The FCIP allows applicants to include eligible family members in their application for permanent residence. Eligible family members include: 

• Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner 
• Dependent Children 
• Your spouse or partner’s dependent children 

Even if your family members are not immigrating with you, you must still declare them on your application.  

Each family member will need to provide the necessary supporting documents, and additional fees may apply.   

Who Is More Likely to Succeed in The FCIP? 

Successful applicants tend to exhibit several key traits:  

• In-Demand Skills: Candidates whose skills and work experience align with community labor market needs.  
• French Language Proficiency: Meeting or exceeding the required language standards.  
• Community Commitment: Demonstrating a genuine intent to settle, integrate, and contribute to the local economy.  

A clear, well-supported application that meets these criteria is more likely to succeed in securing permanent residence. 

What to Expect After Applying for FCIP 

After your application is submitted, the process continues as follows:  

Review Process: Immigration officers review your application to ensure that all eligibility and documentation requirements are met.  

Additional Requests: You may be contacted for further documentation or to attend an interview.  

Decision Notification: Once a decision is made, you will receive confirmation of your permanent residence along with instructions on the next steps.  

Settlement Support: Approved applicants are provided with guidance and resources to help them settle successfully in the participating community. 

Staying informed about your application status and responding promptly to any requests is crucial for a smooth transition.  

How Many FCIP Applications Will IRCC Accept? 

There is no cap on the number of FCIP applications that IRCC will accept. However, as this is a pilot program, it will only be available for a limited period of time. IRCC has not committed to an end date of the FCIP.  

Getting a Work Permit Through the FCIP 

If you have applied for permanent residence through the FCIP, you may also be eligible for a two-year temporary work permit while your application is being processed.  

To qualify for a work permit, you must have  

• Have an eligible offer of employment from your designated employer 
• Have a recommendation from a participating community  
• Applied for permanent residence through the FCIP.

The work permit issued under FCIP will be employer-specific, meaning you can only work for the employer who offered you the job. This allows you to begin working while your permanent residence application is being processed. If you have an accompanying spouse/common-law partner, they may also apply for an open work permit.