Published October 25, 2026
By Sean G McKinsley and Kimberly J White
Francophone Mobility lets a Canadian employer hire you without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when the job is outside Quebec. Unlike IEC, it has no age limit tied to the youth agreement. It is an employer-specific temporary permit, not a permanent residence application.
Who may qualify: you must meet the general work permit requirements and live and work in a province or territory outside Quebec. You need French speaking and listening at NCLC level 5 or higher. Your job offer can be in any TEER category except primary agriculture in TEER 4 or 5. Remote work for an employer based in Quebec does not qualify. The job itself does not have to be in French.
Proving your French: TEF or TCF speaking and listening results, written confirmation of a college or university program completed in French, or other proof of French-language education. Do not assume any particular document will be accepted.
Employer steps before you apply: the employer submits the offer through IRCC’s Employer Portal under code C16, pays the CAD $230 compliance fee, and gives you the 7-digit offer of employment number.
Fees: the employer compliance fee and recruitment fees must never be charged to you, directly or indirectly. Your own government fees are separate: CAD $155 for the work permit and CAD $85 for biometrics when required (checked October 21, 2026; recheck the IRCC fee list).
For French nationals specifically: IEC and Francophone Mobility are separate routes. If you are 18 to 35, compare both. IEC Working Holiday needs no job offer, while Francophone Mobility needs one but uses no IEC participation.