Pilot programs offer alternate pathways to PR for Quebec temporary residents

Francophones looking for options to gain Canadian permanent residence (PR) may find success through Canada’s immigration pilots.

International students and skilled workers living in Quebec have seen two key PR streams paused:

• The Regular Skilled Worker Program (along with the Skilled Worker Selection Program, set to replace it on November 29); and
• The Quebec Experience Program – Graduates.

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As alternate routes to PR, temporary residents of Quebec open to settling in other provinces may wish to consider some of the federal government’s pilot programs, many of which are geared toward French speakers.

The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)

On August 26, Canada announced the FMCSP as a pathway to welcome French-speaking students to minority francophone communities in Canada (outside Quebec) and provide these students a pathway to settle permanently in the country.

Students accepted under the FMCSP may be eligible to apply directly for PR after graduating from their program, provided that:

• They are a resident in Canada (outside Quebec) at the time of application;
• They have valid temporary status in Canada when applying for PR; and
• They have received an eligible degree or diploma while participating in the FMCSP.

Who is eligible to apply under the FMCSP?

To be eligible under the FMCSP candidates must:

• Be a citizen of an eligible francophone country;
• Have a letter of acceptance from a participating Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that indicates they are applying under the FMCSP;
  • Note that the program of study must:
    • Be at the post-secondary level;
    • Be a full-time position;
    • Be at least two years of study or more;
    • Lead to a degree or diploma; and
    • Have French as the primary language of instruction (more than 50% of classes under the program are taught in French).
• Have enough money to cover their:
  • Tuition expenses; and
  • Living expenses (and the living expenses of any accompanying family members);
• Provide a medical exam (if needed);
• Provide a police certificate (if needed); and
• Demonstrate that their French ability is at least at a level 5 (in all language abilities) according to the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.

How to apply under the FMCSP

To apply under the FMCSP candidates must first get all the required documents, including:

• A letter of acceptance from a participating DLI;
• Proof of financial support;
• Approved language test results to prove French language proficiency equivalent to an NCLC level 5;
• A medical exam (if needed); and
• Police certificates (if needed).

Note: Applicants under the FMCSP do not require a Provincial / Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit.

Once these documents are assembled, applicants must create an IRCC account to submit their application and pay the necessary processing fees. Applicants can use the same form and system that standard study permit applicants use.

Applicants should also be sure to specify that they are an applicant “who meets another exception listed on the IRCC website” under the “which exception do you qualify for?” section of the application, and to submit their language test results under the “additional documents” or “client information” section of the IRCC application page.

Specific instructions on how to apply can vary depending on which country a candidate is applying from. For exact instructions click here.

Successful applicants accepted under the program will receive settlement services upon arriving in Canada. These applicants can also procure open work permits (OWPs) for their spouses or dependent children.

Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative

The Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative started in 2018 as a pilot project by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in partnership with francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec. In January 2024 this pilot was renewed and is now a key feature of Canada’s francophone immigration strategy.

Under this initiative, francophone and Acadian communities outside of Quebec can aid the settlement of French-speaking newcomers to their communities. Communities provide settlement plans, and services (including employment help and language training), and arrange community events to help newcomers settle in their community. These communities are also given funding by IRCC to better facilitate these services.

To date, there are 24 francophone and Acadian communities participating in this initiative:

While the initiative is a key feature of Canada’s ongoing francophone immigration strategy, not much is currently known about the updated candidate eligibility under the new version of this initiative. Further details are expected to be announced soon.

New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP)

An employer-driven pilot in partnership with IRCC, the NBCWP is a pathway for skilled workers to settle in New Brunswick, with extensive support from their employer towards their settlement. Successful applicants can earn PR status through this pathway.

Candidates must apply to the NBCWP through a participating employer.

Under the NBCWP employers provide settlement plans to foreign skilled workers they have employed, to arrive and settle in the province. These plans include (but are not limited to)

• Housing, transportation, and language training support;
• On-the-job skills training; and
• Guidance and support if they wish to pursue a Canadian secondary education equivalency.

Who are the employers?

The six participating employers were selected for their excellent track records of hiring foreign skilled workers, and for their important contributions to the New Brunswick economy. They are

• Cooke Aquaculture Inc.;
• Groupe Savoie Inc.;
• Groupe Westco;
• Imperial Manufacturing;
• J.D. Irving Ltd.; and
• McCain Foods.

More information on who these employers are and what positions they hire for can be found here.

What are the eligibility requirements for candidates under the NBCWP?

Under this pilot, candidates must

• Be currently residing in New Brunswick and have lived in the province for the 12 months prior to submitting an application;
• Work for an eligible New Brunswick employer, with valid legal authorization to work in the province;
• Demonstrate intent to reside in New Brunswick;
• Have a valid job offer from a participating employer in the pilot;
• Work in a position with a competitive wage comparable to wages paid to workers in similar positions, and in line with the wage structure of the employer; and
• Be licensed to practice their occupation in New Brunswick, if regulated within the province.

What is the process of applying under the NBCWP?

Under this pilot program, candidates' applications are submitted and assessed under the following process:

1. Receive and accept an employment offer from a participating employer;
2. Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) pool, under the Immigration New Brunswick portal (with the aid of the employer);
3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination;
4. Develop a settlement plan with your employer to be submitted with your application;
5. Apply to the Government of New Brunswick for a provincial nomination within 45 days of receiving an ITA;
6. Submit the application and pay the processing fee;
7. Receive a provincial nomination from New Brunswick;
8. Complete an application for PR and submit it to IRCC;
9. Wait for a decision from IRCC;
10. Receive PR status if successful.

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