What is Francophone Immigration?
Francophone immigration refers to the movement of individuals from French-speaking countries or regions to other countries where French is spoken or holds cultural significance. The term “Francophone” refers to individuals who speak French as their first or second language and are part of the broader French-speaking community worldwide, known as the Francophonie (such as France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and more).
The Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities (FCFA) launched the Francophone Immigration program funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Since 2002, the FCFA has been dedicated to fostering Francophone immigration to areas outside of Quebec in cooperation with governments.
What are the various Francophone Immigration programs?
Various programs assist you in moving to Canada. They are listed as follows:
Francophone Mobility Work Permit
If you satisfy the qualifications and intend to live and work outside of Quebec, the Francophone Mobility Work Permit makes it simpler for Canadian businesses to recruit you without doing a labor market impact assessment.
Who can apply?
(1). If you are applying on or after June 15, 2023, to qualify, you must:
- Fulfill the criteria for a work permit’s general eligibility.
- Live and work outside of Quebec.
- You must submit proof of your intermediate-level proficiency in both speaking and listening in French.
- The proof indicates level 5 or higher on Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC).
- Have a job offer for a position that falls within any of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system’s four categories—training, education, experience, and responsibilities— apart from jobs primarily related to agriculture.
(2). If you applied before June 15, 2023, to qualify, you must:
- Satisfy the general conditions for a work permit.
- Choose to work and reside in provinces outside of Quebec.
- Prove to a processing officer that you can get a minimum score of 7 on the Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) exam.
- Get a job offer for a position under the NOC’s TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories.
(3). Your spouse, common-law partner, or dependant children can apply for an open work visa if they want to work in Canada.
- To verify the requirements for a work permit, please refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/open-work-permit-spouses-dependent-children.html.
- While you work in Canada, your dependant children can apply to school or university. Please refer to the below link to check for eligibility for a study permit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/study-permit-tool.html
How to apply?
- Step 1: Ensure that you have everything necessary to apply online.
- Step 2: Register for an account online or sign in.
- Step 3: Complete your document checklist.
- Step 4: Fill out the required forms
- Step 5: Upload all your documents online.
- Step 6: Pay your application expenses and submit it.
After you apply, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) will review your applications to ensure that you submit the required paperwork, including biometrics.
Francophone immigration – Express Entry
Canada is attempting to draw in more immigrants who speak French outside of Quebec. If you plan on moving permanently to Canada, you can create a profile in Express Entry.
If you are fluent in Canada’s official languages (English and French), you can submit your approved language test results in the second official language. You will get extra points for being proficient in your second official language.
Additionally, you can get up to 50 extra points for strong French language abilities (even if it’s your second language). These are added to the earlier points.
If you achieve a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four French language skills, you have the opportunity to get
- An additional 25 points if you scored CLB 4 or lower in English.
- An additional 50 points if you scored CLB 5 or higher in all four English language skills.
You need a score higher than the required points for your round of invites. The higher the score, the easier you qualify for the express entry round of invitations.
Destination Canada Mobility Forum
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum is an annual event that the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) organizes in collaboration with various provincial and territorial governments and Canadian employers. The forum serves as a platform to connect Canadian employers with skilled foreign workers interested in immigrating to Canada.
The 2023 Destination Canada Mobility Forum will happen in
- Rabat, Morocco, from November 18 to 19
- Paris, France, from November 22 to 24, and
- Online, from December 4 to 6.
The 2023 edition of the form will primarily discuss opportunities to network and information on Francophone immigration. Although only a limited number of seats are available, participation is free for all applicants.
After registering, you will receive an invitation If you are a Francophone candidate and you satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- You have an existing Express Entry profile.
- You already possess a Young Professionals or Working Holidays permit from International Experience Canada.
- You are eligible to immigrate to Canada from provinces other than Quebec.
- Your resume contains the knowledge and expertise that Canadian employers are looking for.
What to expect from the Forum?
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum will link you with
- Immigration Procedures of Canada.
- Immigration Programs.
- Francophone communities information.
- People who can answer your inquiries concerning services provided to immigrants and life in French in Canada (outside of Quebec).
- Organizations that provide authorized language exams and evaluate your academic qualifications for immigration to Canada.
- Employers looking to fill vacancies in Quebec but in other provinces and territories across Canada.
How does the Francophone Immigration program help you select Francophone Communities?
The Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities (FCFA) helps you select a French-speaking area outside Quebec. Outside of Quebec, there are different sizes of Francophone communities (the link opens in French only). English is typically used as a working language in these communities. There are several benefits to choosing to reside in a Francophone area outside Quebec. The members of your family and you will be able to:
- Capitalize on work chances in both French and English.
- You should be able to speak French and English in daily conversation.
- Develop your English skills.
- Free language lessons are available to permanent residents.
- Get assistance from your neighborhood so you may adjust and feel at home.
- Join schools that teach French.
- Make use of community, medical, or childcare services in French.
List of Francophone Communities and their Provincial Resources:
Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative is an initiative that identifies 14 Francophone communities from the above provinces that go above and beyond to assist French-speaking immigrants so they may settle and start a new life in Canada.
What are the Pre-Arrival Services offered by Francophone Immigration Programs?
Various free in-person and online programs are available to assist you and your family get ready for and adjusting to life in Canada. These are Pre-arrival services.
Pre-arrival services can help you with the following:
- Help you to prepare to relocate to Canada.
- Makes sure you get your qualifications, job history, and education recognized in Canada.
- Approach employers to find employment.
- Assists you to contact free service programs.
Once you move to Canada, the immigration program helps you to locate nearby free newcomer services. Informed settlement experts can assist you with the following newcomer services:
- Search for a job
- Get your language skills evaluated
- Enroll in language courses
- Locate an area to live
- Register your children for school.
- Discover community services
As French-speaking individuals seek new opportunities and pursue their dreams in various countries, the world becomes more vibrant, diverse, and interconnected. By embracing and supporting Francophone immigrants, societies can tap into the vast potential they offer and pave the way for a brighter future of cultural exchange and collaboration among French-speaking nations.
