If you are thinking about working in Canada, the Francophone Mobility Work Permit is a great option because it is simple and strongly supported by the Canadian government.
Please read the Questions and Answers section on this page. We have answered most of the common questions there.
You can receive a qualifying job offer through our platform or from another source.
Your job can be in any occupation except low-skilled agricultural positions.
Once you have your job offer and other required documents, you can apply for your work visa.
Most applicants must take a medical exam. You can take the exam before applying, or you can wait for embassy instructions. If the embassy plans to refuse your application, they usually will not ask you to take a medical exam.
If your visa is approved, you will receive a passport request and then your work visa.
Note:
If you are from a visa-free country such as France or Belgium, you do not need to apply for a visa. You can fly directly to Canada and receive your work permit at the airport.
Your work visa allows you to travel to Canada.
When you arrive, the officer at the airport will issue your official work permit.
This permit is employer-specific, meaning you can only work for the employer who hired you.
The good news is that you are already using the right platform to find a job through the Francophone Mobility Work Permit. However, it is important to stay realistic and consider more than one way to come to Canada. We recommend submitting both your work application and your immigration application to improve your chances.
Your work experience may be strong, but there might not be demand for your occupation in Canada. In this case, it is helpful to explore other immigration programs.
On the other hand, if your experience is in high demand, you may have a very good chance of coming to Canada with a work permit.
Using more than one pathway gives you the best chance of success.
Right now, there are several immigration programs for people who speak or are willing to learn French. In some situations, your immigration application may even be approved faster than finding a job offer.
Initial work permits are usually valid for 1 to 3 years.
If your job offer is for 1 year, your work permit will also be valid for 1 year.
If your job offer is for 3 years, your work permit will be valid for 3 years.
For permanent job offers with no end date, work visas and/or permits are typically valid for an initial period of two to three years.
If your employer wants to keep you after your first work permit expires, they can extend your contract, and your work permit can also be extended.
There is no limit on the number of extensions.
Yes. Previous visa refusals usually do not prevent you from applying for a work permit.
Just make sure you have all the information from your past applications so the details in your new application match your previous submissions. Specifically make sure the employment history matches.
Millions of people around the world want to come to Canada, but Canada cannot accept everyone. Like all countries, Canada must first protect jobs for local workers. Only when there are not enough local workers does Canada look at hiring foreign workers.
The Francophone Mobility Work Permit is different from most other work permits. Canada is a bilingual country (English and French), and the number of French-speaking people outside Quebec is decreasing. Because of this, the government wants to attract more French-speaking workers and has made this work permit much easier than others.
Even though you come through the Francophone Mobility Work Permit, you will be working in English-speaking provinces. This means you are expected to speak English.
If your job is customer-facing, you need strong English.
If your job is not customer-facing, medium English is usually enough.
There is no English test required for this program.
However, if your English is weak and you are not planning to improve it, this work permit may not be the right option for you.
French is usually not required by Canadian employers except some employers located in bilingual cities/communities. .
It is mainly required by the Canadian embassy to approve your work permit.
The required level is B1 or CLB 5 (in all sections). You can take either the TCF or TEF test.
Important: Only listening and speaking scores are required.
Reading and writing scores are not needed.
Click here to see how TCF and TEF scores compare to the CLB system.
In some cases, if the language of instruction at your school or college was French, and you can get a confirmation letter from your school, you may not need to take a French test.
However, you should still be prepared to take the test, because some embassies may request it even if you studied in French.
Due to housing shortages, starting January 2025 Canada has restricted family members from accompanying workers in most occupations.
Even if your job is still eligible to bring family members, we strongly recommend that you arrive in Canada first, settle in, and then apply to bring your family a few months later.
You can find detailed information on the official government website here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-open-work-permits-family-members-temporary-residents.html
If you are married, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada.
Your children, depending on their ages, may receive a study permit or a visitor visa.
Yes. Some employers may be willing to wait for you if they like your skills and want you to start at a future date. We strongly recommend submitting your work application on our platform even if you are still planning your move to Canada.
We can also review your profile and let you know if you have realistic chances of receiving a job offer.
Not everyone receives a job offer because there are always more workers than employers.
However, there are other ways to come to Canada. You can also arrive in Canada without a job offer.
We work with licensed Canadian immigration lawyers and consultants who can assess your profile and help you explore other immigration options.
There is no fee to find a job or to receive a job offer from a Canadian employer.
The only fees you pay are for your work permit application, which is handled by a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant. These service fees usually change.
Please note that if you choose to use our immigration services, you will first enter into a contract with one of the licensed Canadian immigration lawyers or consultants in our network and will work with them directly.
If you are planning to move to Canada, depending on your country it is recommended to have at least 7,000–10,000 USD to cover your immigration, relocation costs, such as travel, housing, and basic living expenses.
Visa fees:
No, there is no age limit for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit.
However, the job offer must match your experience and background. The embassy must also be convinced that you can perform the job.
In practice, many employers prefer younger workers depending on positions (usually under 40–45).
If you cannot find a job because of age, you may want to explore other immigration options.
No, we cannot guarantee a job offer.
However, you have the highest chances on our platform because we are the largest platform in Canada for jobs under the Francophone Mobility Program, with the highest number of employers hiring through this work permit.
Jobs under the Francophone Mobility Work Permit are located in provinces outside Quebec.
Most opportunities are in smaller cities and towns, not in major cities like Toronto or Vancouver, because these areas have higher labour shortages.
This depends on the position:
• Some occupations, such as web developers, usually require at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Other occupations, such as construction helpers, do not require any formal education.
Salaries are often not very high under this work permit. One reason employers hire through this program is because the government allows them to pay minimum wages.
If you are applying for entry-level jobs, expect a minimum salary.
However, if you have strong experience in your field—such as an experienced carpenter, web developer, technician, etc.—you can receive higher wages.
It depends on your job in Canada.
However, even if your first job is in a lower TEER category, it is still a good idea to come to Canada. Once you gain experience, you may get promoted within the same company or find a higher-TEER job with another employer, which can help you qualify for permanent residence later.
Your work permit application will be submitted by licensed Canadian immigration consultants or lawyers who partner with our platform.
There is no fixed timeline.
Some people find a job in a few days, others take months, and some may not find a job at all. It depends on the demand for your skills in Canada.
We are always contacting employers across Canada who are hiring through this work permit to help increase your chances.
All occupations are eligible, except for some low-skilled agricultural positions.
Most general jobs, skilled trades, and professional positions can qualify.
We are expanding to more employers every month but currently the most popular jobs are restaurant jobs such as food counter attendants, cooks, restaurant supervisors, as well as nurse aides, construction workers, warehouse workers, retail and sales associates, truck drivers, car mechanics, technicians, auto collision technicians, heavy duty mechanics. If these jobs are not in your interest or if you are interested in coming to Canada via other options we still recommend you send your job application to our site. When there are opportunities that match your profile we may get back to you.
Yes. The government does not restrict which occupations can use this work permit.
As long as a Canadian employer is willing to hire you, you can receive a job offer and apply for the visa. On our platform, employers from many different fields are available. While high-demand occupations may get job offers faster, people in other fields can still find opportunities.
Most foreign workers in Canada hold a closed work permit. This type of permit lists the name of your employer, which means you are only authorized to work for that specific company. While you are actively employed by the employer named on your work permit, you are not allowed to work for another company.
If you lose your job (and your work permit is still valid) or you wish to change employers, you must complete the following steps:
Workers:
You have a higher chance of being hired because the process is simple for employers.
Employers:
They can pay standard or minimum wages and hire as many workers as they need.
Government:
Canada wants to increase the number of bilingual people outside Quebec, so this program is strongly supported.
Yes. Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of foreign workers every year.
Your success depends on the demand for your occupation, your skills, and your language abilities.
If your skills are not in demand, your chances may be low.
However, if your English or French is good and you are willing to improve, you may still qualify for other immigration pathways to come to Canada.
Employers are not required to pay for your expenses such as flight tickets, housing, or relocation costs.
Sometimes an employer may cover part of these costs, but this is very rare.
Please make sure you plan and budget for all of your own expenses before starting the process.
We are the largest platform in Canada for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit, with the highest number of employers and recruiters connected to our system—and this number grows every month.
In addition, through our platform you can access some of the best Canadian immigration lawyers and consultants. They can help you apply through other programs if needed, and their service fees are very reasonable for the quality of service they provide.
Your options depend on your current status in Canada.
Some people can apply for the work permit from inside the country, and others may need to leave Canada to apply.
Click here to get more information on this topic.
We are Canada’s largest platform connecting skilled workers with Canadian employers through the Francophone Mobility Work Permit. By supporting Canada’s bilingual policy, we create real opportunities for talent and businesses to grow together.
© www.francophonemobility.ca does not provide legal advice, and it is not an immigration firm. This website was created in June 2023 to promote the Francophone Mobility Work Permit, aimed at connecting Canadian companies with foreign workers following a decision by the Canadian government, which can be found at this link. Our website strives to become a trusted platform for connecting various parties and service providers to facilitate the utilization of services related to and for the promotion of the Francophone Mobility Work Permit