What is the C16 Francophone Mobility work permit?

Francophone Mobility (Mobilité francophone), LMIA exemption code C16, is a work permit that lets Canadian employers hire French speakers without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). The worker must live and work in a province or territory outside Quebec.

What C16 is

C16 is part of the International Mobility Program (IMP), the group of work permits exempt from an LMIA because they serve Canada's interests. IRCC states its purpose clearly: to promote French in Francophone minority communities outside Quebec.

• It is an employer-specific work permit, not permanent residence.
• The work permit processing fee listed by IRCC is CAD 155. The employer also pays a CAD 230 compliance fee when submitting the job offer.
• Program status on IRCC's page (checked 19/10/2026): open.

Who can apply

For applications submitted on or after June 15, 2023, you must:

• meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit;
• live and work in 1 of the 9 provinces or 3 territories outside Quebec;
• prove intermediate French speaking and listening skills, equivalent to NCLC 5 or higher;
• have a job offer in any TEER category of the NOC, except primary agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and 5.

Note The language of work does not have to be French. IRCC only asks for proof of French speaking and listening, not reading or writing.

What changed on June 15, 2023

Before that date, C16 was limited to TEER 0 to 3 occupations and required French to be the applicant's habitual language (NCLC 7 if tested). Since June 15, 2023, the French threshold is NCLC 5 and all TEER categories are eligible, except primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5.

What C16 is not

• It is not an immigrant visa: C16 allows temporary work. Permanent residence is a separate step, through programs such as Express Entry, a PNP or the FCIP.
• It is not an open work permit: you can only work for the employer and in the job named on the permit.
• It does not cover jobs in Quebec, including remote work for an employer based in Quebec.

Next steps

Read the next articles in this section for the detailed requirements, the employer's part of the process and permanent residence pathways for French speakers. Rules can change; always check IRCC's official pages before you apply.