Pathways for French-Speaking Applicants to Move to Canada
Canada offers opportunities for French-speaking foreign workers to seek both temporary and permanent residency outside Quebec. These pathways include:
1. Express Entry- French Language Proficiency Category
This is a quick and easy pathway for immigrating to Canada. Express Entry is an online application system that creates a pool of candidates who may be eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently. You must be eligible for one of the immigration programs in Express Entry to get into the pool. You earn points based on the information in your profile, including your skills and experience.
You need to have one of the highest-ranking scores to get an invitation to apply for permanent residence. However, there are category-based draws under Express Entry to help meet an identified economic goal. French language proficiency is one of the chosen categories in 2024. Going by the trends in the last few draws in this category, the low CRS is making it attractive for French-speaking candidates to apply.
2. Francophone Mobility Work Permit
- French-speaking temporary workers can obtain a facilitated work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for qualified positions and territories other than Quebec.
- To be eligible for this work permit, you need to live and work in one of Canada’s nine provinces or three territories outside of Quebec.
- You should demonstrate that your French speaking and listening abilities are at an intermediate level, equivalent to NCLC level 5 or higher.
- You should hold a job offer that falls under any Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, except if the offer is for a primary agriculture position classified under TEER 4 or 5.
3. New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
The New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream, part of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), provides a valuable pathway for French-speaking individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada. Managed by the Government of New Brunswick, this program is specifically designed for skilled workers who are committed to settling permanently in New Brunswick and contributing to the province’s thriving economy.
Unlike family reunification programs, this stream focuses on selecting candidates who can support New Brunswick’s economic development with their skills, education, and relevant work experience.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in French, express a genuine intention to live in New Brunswick, hold at least a Canadian secondary education or its equivalent, and establish a qualifying connection to the province—such as an exploratory visit, a job offer, or a demonstrated alignment with
New Brunswick’s strategic priorities. For complete information on eligibility criteria and application requirements, please consult the official guide to the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream.
4. Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It offers an advantageous pathway to Canadian immigration for French-speaking skilled workers.
This stream is designed for individuals proficient in both French and English, facilitating a path to permanent residency in Ontario. To be eligible, applicants must meet the general criteria of the OINP, including specific language requirements: a minimum of NCLC Level 7 in French and CLB Level 6 in English.
As one of the Human Capital streams within the OINP, this initiative selects candidates from the Express Entry pool who possess the skills and potential to contribute meaningfully to Ontario’s workforce.
5. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream, part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), is another promising pathway for French-speaking applicants interested in Canadian immigration. This stream specifically targets individuals working in high-demand occupations or those who are proficient in Nova Scotia’s language priorities.
Integrated with the federal Express Entry system, successful applicants benefit from a substantial 600-point increase to their Express Entry profiles, greatly enhancing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. With a vibrant Francophone community of nearly 100,000 people and deep historical roots, Nova Scotia offers a welcoming environment for French-speaking newcomers.
6. Quebec Experience Program
The Quebec Experience Program was created for foreign students who are Québec graduates or temporary foreign workers. Under this pathway, you can obtain a Québec selection certificate to settle in Québec permanently. For Québec graduates, they need to have a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to level 7 and written French that corresponds to level 5. For temporary foreign workers, need to have a knowledge of spoken French that corresponds to level 7 of the Québec scale of French proficiency levels.
