How to apply

Follow the steps below to apply for the Francophone Mobility work permit.

On this page

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you need

Step 2: Create an online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

Create an account or sign in (opens in a new tab) 

How to start your application

Once you sign in to your account, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page.
  2. Click Apply to come to Canada.
  3. On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
  4. Click the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button.
  5. On the next page, select Work.

Step 3: Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

If you’re applying from outside Canada

Make sure you answer these questions correctly:

  • When asked, How long are you planning to stay in Canada?, based on the offer of employment, choose either
    • temporarily – more than 6 months, or
    • temporarily – less than 6 months
  • In response to the statement, I have a job offer and my employer gave me an offer of employment number or LMIA number (or proof of that your employer applied for an LMIA), answer Yes.
    • The offer of employment number is the 7-digit number your employer received after sending their offer of employment to us.
  • When asked, What type of work permit do you want to apply for?, choose A work permit with an LMIA.
If you’re applying from within Canada

Make sure you answer these questions correctly:

  • When asked, How long are you planning to stay in Canada?, based on the offer of employment, choose either
    • temporarily – more than 6 months, or
    • temporarily – less than 6 months
  • When asked, Do you have a written job offer?, answer Yes.
  • When asked, Which option best describes your work situation?, choose I’m applying for an employer-specific work permit with LMIA-exemption.

Step 4: Fill out the forms

Read the instruction guide before you fill out the form.

The guide explains how to fill out each field on the work permit application form.

Step 5: Upload your documents

Your document checklist will ask you for most of the documents that you must upload. You can also upload other documents under Client information.

There’s only one Client information field. You may need to combine more than one document into one file and upload them together.

Submit proof of language ability

For applications submitted on or after June 15, 2023

You must submit documents that prove you can speak and listen at an NCLC level 5 or higher. This can include

For applications submitted before June 15, 2023

You were required to prove that your language of daily use is French. This could include

  • documents that show education in French
  • proof that you obtained an NCLC level 7 or higher for all 4 tests in the TEF or the TCF

Upload your proof of French language ability in the Client information field.

You don’t need to prove you can read or write in French to be eligible for this LMIA exemption.

Step 6: Pay your fees and submit your application

You must pay the work permit processing fee.

Create an account or sign in. (opens in a new tab) 

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2025-12-23