Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP): The 6 Communities and Requirements

Canada wants to strengthen French-speaking communities outside Quebec. The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot brings French-speaking workers to six communities where francophones are a minority. Each community's partner organization designates local employers, sets priority jobs, and recommends candidates to IRCC, which makes the permanent residence decision.

The FCIP launched in 2025 with the Rural Community Immigration Pilot. Pending FCIP applications are among those IRCC is fast-tracking under the 2026 In-Canada Workers Initiative.

Sudbury and Timmins take part in both the FCIP and the RCIP. Each community has set boundaries, and the job must be located inside them. IRCC's pilot page has a boundary map and links to each community.

French: at least NCLC 5 (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, on an approved French test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada). This applies to every job level. See language tests and our CLB converter.

Job offer: full-time, non-seasonal, from an employer the community has designated, meeting the pilot's wage rules. The job itself does not have to be in French.

Community recommendation: the community's partner organization must recommend you.

Work experience: at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid work in the last 3 years related to the job offer. Graduates of an eligible program in the community may be exempt.

Education: a Canadian high school diploma or higher, or a foreign equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment. See ECA credential assessment.

Settlement funds: required unless you already work in Canada on a valid work permit. See proof of funds.

Intent to live in the community.

Check IRCC's page and the community's site for full details; communities may add their own criteria.

Each community has a limited number of recommendations per year and may use intake windows or ranking. A job offer does not guarantee a recommendation. Check the community's website for current intake status and priority occupations.

The FCIP suits French speakers who want to live in a smaller francophone community and have, or can get, a job offer there. The French minimum (NCLC 5) is lower than the NCLC 7 needed for the Express Entry French category, so it can work for people with intermediate French.

If you are already working in Canada under the Francophone Mobility work permit in one of these communities, the FCIP may be a natural next step.

As of September 2026 (fees rose on April 30, 2026), IRCC charges these fees for economic immigration programs, which include this one, in Canadian dollars:

Biometrics cost $85 per person, or $170 for a family applying together. Check the IRCC fee list before paying, because fees change. Add the costs of a French test, an ECA, medical exams, and police certificates.

Check the IRCC processing times tool or our processing times page for current times.

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included in your application.

When you apply to IRCC after the community recommends you, expect to include:

• The community's recommendation and your job offer from the designated employer.
• French test results (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) that are less than 2 years old.
• Reference letters showing at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related paid experience in the last 3 years, or proof of your qualifying local credential.
• Your high school diploma or higher, plus an ECA for foreign credentials.
• Proof of settlement funds, unless you are exempt.
• Police certificates, a medical exam, and biometrics.

If you have a past refusal, a criminal record, or gaps in your status in Canada, talk to a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) before applying. See inadmissibility.

• Express Entry French category, if you reach NCLC 7 in all abilities.
• Francophone Mobility work permit, to work outside Quebec without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
• Provincial programs in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba, some of which target French speakers. See PNP.
• Quebec programs, if you want to live in Quebec.

Never pay for a job offer or recommendation. See scam protection. Employers can read community pilot designation.