The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is a federal permanent residence program, officially launched on January 30, 2025. Its goal is to bring French speakers to settle in Francophone minority communities outside Quebec.

How the FCIP works

IRCC selected 6 communities. Each has a local economic development organization that works with IRCC to:

• identify the jobs that are hard to fill;
• designate trustworthy employers who can make job offers;
• review and recommend suitable candidates to IRCC.

The six communities: Acadian Peninsula (New Brunswick), Sudbury (Ontario), Timmins (Ontario), Superior East Region (Ontario), St. Pierre Jolys (Manitoba) and Kelowna (British Columbia).

Permanent residence requirements

• A valid job offer from an employer designated by the community.
• At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related paid work experience in the past 3 years, not self-employed.
• French at NCLC 5 or higher in all 4 abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing), with TEF Canada or TCF Canada; results less than 2 years old when you apply.
• A Canadian credential or a foreign credential assessed as equivalent.
• Enough settlement funds for you and your family.
• A community recommendation.

Work experience must match the job's TEER

Minimum settlement funds

IRCC's table (updated July 29, 2025): CAD 10,507 for 1 person, CAD 13,080 for 2, CAD 16,080 for 3, CAD 19,524 for 4; add CAD 2,831 for each person beyond 7.

Work permit while you wait

After applying for permanent residence, you may apply for a 2-year work permit (code C15) that only lets you work for the employer who made the offer. Your spouse may apply for an open work permit limited to the same community.

Note Each community publishes its designated employers and intake dates on its own website. Without a designated employer, you cannot apply to the FCIP.