Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is an IRCC permanent residence pilot for French speakers who settle in one of 6 Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. You need a job offer from an employer the community has designated, 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years, and an approved French test.
6
Francophone minority communities outside Quebec that IRCC chose for the pilot
NCLC 5
The French level applicants generally need in all four abilities
1,560 hours
At least 1 year of related work experience within the past three years
2,750
Complete applications from principal applicants accepted into processing each year, at most (IRPA s.14.1)
The pilot launched on January 30, 2025. IRCC says it is to operate for five years.
What is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a federal permanent residence pathway for skilled workers who speak French and want to live and work in a Francophone minority community outside Quebec. Its goal is to bring more French-speaking newcomers to these communities, supporting Canada’s targets for French-speaking immigration and helping the communities grow.
Unlike Express Entry, where you compete on a points score in a national pool, the FCIP is employer-driven and community-based. A designated employer in a participating community offers you a job, and the community helps recommend suitable candidates to IRCC.
The FCIP is a pilot, which means it operates for a defined period and IRCC can adjust or end it. It is a separate program from the broader Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).
Which communities take part, and how does intake work?
Based on IRCC information, the participating FCIP communities have included:
- The Acadian Peninsula, in New Brunswick.
- Sudbury, in Ontario.
- Timmins, in Ontario.
- The Superior East Region, in Ontario.
- St. Pierre Jolys, in Manitoba.
- Kelowna, in British Columbia.
Each community is represented by a local economic development organization that works with IRCC to identify labour gaps, designate trusted employers, and recommend candidates for permanent residence. The community organization plays a central role in who moves forward.
Intake is deliberately limited. IRCC says the pilot is to operate for five years, and at most 2,750 complete applications from principal applicants are accepted into processing each year, under IRPA s.14.1.
Each community also publishes its own details and timelines for when employers can be designated and when candidates can apply. The practical opening of the program varies by location.
Who can apply for the FCIP?
Beyond the job offer, IRCC sets criteria covering language, work experience, education, and funds. Applicants generally need:
- A valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.
- At least NCLC 5 (the French counterpart of CLB 5) in all four abilities, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, on an approved French-language test. The results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience within the past three years.
- An eligible educational credential: a Canadian credential, or a foreign credential with an equivalency assessment.
- Enough money to support yourself and any family members, unless you are already working in Canada on a valid work permit.
Graduates of a public post-secondary school in the community may be exempt from the work experience rule, under IRCC’s conditions. These criteria can change, and an officer makes the final decision on every application.
The rule
To be considered for permanent residence under the FCIP, you generally need a valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community.
How does the FCIP differ from the RCIP?
The FCIP and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) were introduced together and share a similar structure. Both are employer-driven, community-based permanent residence pilots for people settling in communities outside Quebec. Both rely on designated employers and local economic development organizations.
The key difference is focus. The RCIP is the general rural version, aimed at helping rural communities fill labour shortages. The FCIP is specifically about strengthening French-speaking communities and supporting Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
IRCC closes the RCIP as of January 1, 2027, the day the permanent Rural Community Immigration Program opens.
Does the FCIP apply in Quebec?
Quebec runs its own immigration system under its agreement with the federal government and selects most of its own economic immigrants. Federal pilots like the FCIP and RCIP do not apply within Quebec.
If you are interested in living in Quebec, you would look at Quebec’s own programs rather than these pilots.
Which free tool checks your own case?
- Language ConverterIELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF and TCF to CLB
- NOC FinderYour occupation code and TEER level
- Pathway ExplorerWhich programs to read about, from a few answers
Free, with no account. What you enter in a tool stays in your browser.
What do people ask?
What is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a federal permanent residence pilot that IRCC launched on January 30, 2025. It brings French-speaking newcomers to Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. It is employer-driven: a designated employer in a participating community offers you a job, and the community recommends you to IRCC. An officer decides the application. Our Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) guide covers the sister pilot built the same way.
What are the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot requirements?
You need a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community, at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years, an approved language test, a Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent, and enough money to support yourself and your family. Workers already in Canada on a valid work permit skip the funds proof. Our language tests guide explains the French tests IRCC accepts.
Which communities are in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
IRCC chose 6 communities: the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, Sudbury, Timmins and the Superior East Region in Ontario, St. Pierre Jolys in Manitoba, and Kelowna in British Columbia. Each one works through a local economic development organization that designates employers and recommends candidates. None is in Quebec. The list can change as the pilot runs. Our Immigration Pathways page compares the other routes if none of these places fits your plans.
How do I find FCIP designated employers in Kelowna or another community?
Each community designates its own employers and posts them on its own website. IRCC says the communities will post employers and available jobs to their site when ready, and its Get a job offer page links to each community. That includes Kelowna, the only FCIP community in British Columbia. The community also checks that the job is in a priority sector or occupation and that the offer is real. Our NOC code finder shows how your occupation is classified.
How much French do I need for the FCIP?
Applicants generally need at least NCLC 5 (the French counterpart of CLB 5) in all four abilities, listening, speaking, reading and writing, on an approved French test. Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. IRCC can change the standard, so confirm it on the pilot’s eligibility page before you book a test. Our language tests guide explains the TEF Canada and TCF Canada and how NCLC levels are scored.
How is the FCIP different from the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?
The FCIP targets French-speaking immigration, and the RCIP targets rural labour shortages. Both are employer-driven permanent residence pilots for communities outside Quebec, and both rely on designated employers and local economic development organizations. If French ability and a Francophone community are central to your plans, the FCIP is the relevant pilot. If you want a rural community in general, read our Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) guide.
Does the FCIP apply in Quebec?
No, the FCIP does not apply in Quebec. Quebec runs its own immigration system under its agreement with the federal government and selects most of its own economic immigrants, so federal pilots like the FCIP and the RCIP stop at its border. Every FCIP community is in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba or British Columbia. If you want to settle in Quebec, our Quebec Immigration guide explains how its separate programs work.
Part of:Immigrating permanently
- Canada Caregiver Immigration: Nannies and Home Support Workers
- Medical Exams for Canadian Immigration: What to Expect
- Police Certificate Requirements for Canada
The textbook on this subject
Volume 2: Immigrating to Canada $79
The economic and family pathways to permanent residence, explained from the published criteria.
Follow on Facebook to hear when the library opens (opens in a new tab)Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.