Both C16 and LMIA-based work permits are employer-specific. The biggest differences are in the employer's process and the worker's requirements.
Comparison table
| C16 (Francophone Mobility) | LMIA-based work permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | International Mobility Program (IRCC) | Temporary Foreign Worker Program (ESDC) |
| What the employer does | Submits a job offer in the Employer Portal | Applies to ESDC for an LMIA and shows no Canadian is available |
| Employer fee | CAD 230 compliance fee | CAD 1,000 LMIA processing fee per position (some exemptions) |
| Job advertising | Not required | At least 4 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before applying (high-wage stream) |
| Language requirement | French listening and speaking at NCLC 5 | As the job requires |
| Work location | Outside Quebec | All of Canada, with a separate process in Quebec |
| Occupations | TEER 0 to 5, except primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5 | All occupations, with limits on low-wage positions |
Strengths of C16
- The employer does not have to prove a labour shortage, so the process is shorter and cheaper.
- No 10% cap on low-wage foreign workers at a work location, unlike the LMIA low-wage stream.
- Not affected by the refusal to process low-wage LMIAs in metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or more.
Things to weigh
- You need documented French at NCLC 5: often many months of study for a beginner.
- Only available outside Quebec.
- The employer still has full obligations and can be inspected.
LMIA high-wage and low-wage thresholds
For reference, ESDC splits LMIAs by each province's hourly wage threshold (for applications received from July 17, 2026), for example: Ontario CAD 36.92, British Columbia CAD 38.40, Alberta CAD 37.50, Manitoba CAD 31.33, New Brunswick CAD 31.73. An offered wage at or above the threshold goes in the high-wage stream; below it, the low-wage stream.
Note Neither option is better for everyone. The right pathway depends on your French level, occupation, where you want to live and the employer.
What is the C16 Francophone Mobility work permit?
C16 requirements according to IRCC
The employer's part of a C16 work permit