C16 requirements according to IRCC

This article summarizes the requirements of the Francophone Mobility work permit (C16) from IRCC's applicant pages and the internal processing instructions IRCC publishes.

The four main requirements

• Meet the general work permit requirements: a valid passport, show you will leave Canada when the permit expires, no criminal or security issues, and a medical exam if required.
• A work location outside Quebec. IRCC asks for proof of the work location; remote work for an employer based in Quebec is not accepted.
• French listening and speaking at NCLC 5 or higher.
• A job offer in TEER 0 to 5, except primary agriculture occupations in TEER 4 and 5.

Proving your French

For applications submitted since June 15, 2023, IRCC accepts one of the following:

• listening and speaking results from TEF Canada or TCF Canada;
• confirmation from a college or university of a program completed in French (transcript or letter of completion);
• other documents showing education in French.

The officer may ask for test results or an interview to assess your French directly. In practice, TEF Canada or TCF Canada results are the clearest evidence.

Meeting the job requirements

IRCC's instructions ask applicants to show they meet the employment requirements of the occupation as described in the NOC (education, experience, licences where relevant). Officers also look at:

• whether the wage is at least the provincial minimum wage and reasonable for the job;
• whether the job makes sense for the employer's size and activity;
• whether the employer has recently hired many people for the same job from the same region.

Documents you need

• The 7-digit offer of employment number your employer receives after submitting the offer in the Employer Portal under code C16.
• The signed job offer.
• Proof of French.
• Proof that you meet the job requirements.
• The general documents on the personalized checklist in your IRCC account (passport, photo, biometrics, medical exam if required).

Extensions

When you extend a C16 work permit, IRCC usually does not ask for new French results unless the officer has concerns. All other requirements must still be met.

Note This information reflects IRCC's pages when checked. The official document list is the one shown in your IRCC account when you apply.