FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY IMMIGRATION PILOT (FCIP)
What is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is a permanent residence pathway launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is specifically designed to attract French-speaking foreign workers to settle and work in designated Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.
The program helps participating regions foster economic growth while preserving and revitalizing their local French-speaking demographic and cultural vitality.
Who are the participating communities for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
The 6 participating communities for the RCIP are: (a) British Columbia – Kelowna; (b) Manitoba – St Pierre-Jolys; (c) New Brunswick – Acadian Peninsula; (d) Ontario – Sudbury, Timmins, and Superior East Region.
How does an applicant qualify for immigration under the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot?
To qualify for the FCIP, an applicant must:
- meet both the community’s requirements and IRCC’s requirements for immigration
- have a valid job offer from an employer in the participating community
- demonstrate French language skills of at least NCLC 5
- apply to the community for a Community Recommendation Certificate
- if issued, apply for permanent residence with the IRCC
NOTE: Each participating community establishes its own local prioritization criteria, scoring grids, in-demand occupation lists, and recommendation application schedules.
Can family members accompany the principal applicant?
Yes, you can include eligible family members in your RCIP application. These include:
- your spouse or common-law partner
- your dependent child (<22 years old)
- your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child
- a dependent child of a dependent child
How long is the processing time and what are the processing fees?
IRCC aims to process direct-PR community pilot applications within 6 to 12 months. Processing times can vary based on whether the candidate is applying inland or from overseas, as well as the specific visa office handling the file. Candidates recommended by a participating community can also apply for a dedicated, 2-year closed work permit to begin working locally while their PR application is finalized.
IRCC processing fees depend on the number of applicants included in the application. You can view the complete and updated list of IRCC fees here.
What are the key considerations in submitting an application?
The requirements might look simple on paper, but often applications are rejected because the documents submitted were inaccurate, incomplete, or non-compliant. Here are some key considerations when applying for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot:
- Is your occupation a priority occupation?
- Is your job offer from an eligible employer?
- Does your background and/or current situation require special handling in the application?
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We firmly believe that your success is our success. We’ll strategize on your immigration plan, identify the right pathway for you, and ensure you take the fastest route to Canadian citizenship.
We commit to ensuring that your application package will be accurate, complete, and at its strongest to avoid delays and errors that waste your time and resources. Our goal is to be able to say to you, “Welcome to Canada!”
