Canada expands “study-to-PR” route for French-speaking students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the number of applications it will accept under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) — a special program that allows eligible francophone students to study in Canada and later apply for permanent residence (PR).

What’s new

• IRCC will now accept up to 2,970 applications, an increase from last year’s cap of 2,300.
• The new intake period runs from August 26, 2025 to August 25, 2026.
• To qualify, candidates must show French language proficiency at NCLC level 5, which is lower than the level 7 required for category-based draws under Express Entry.
  
  

What the FMCSP offers

The FMCSP provides a direct pathway for French-speaking international students who want to study and settle in Canada. Through this program:

• Eligible students can get facilitated study permits to pursue a full-time program taught mainly in French at a designated learning institution (DLI) located in a francophone minority community.
• After completing their studies, they can apply for permanent residence through the same pathway.
• Their immediate family members — a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependents — can also be included in the PR application.
• Once the PR application is submitted, both the student and eligible family members may apply for open work permits (OWPs), allowing them to work for most employers while waiting for a final decision.
  
  

Who can apply

For students (principal applicants):

• Must apply for a study permit before entering Canada.
• Must be a citizen of one of the eligible member countries of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Eligible regions include select countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
• Must hold an acceptance letter from a DLI that has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IRCC for the FMCSP.
• The letter must confirm that the student is applying under the FMCSP.
• The program must be taught primarily in French (more than 50% of courses).
• It must be a full-time program lasting at least two years and lead to a diploma or degree.
• Must provide French language test results showing a minimum score of NCLC 5 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Must show proof of funds, including tuition, travel, and an amount equal to at least 75% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the area where the DLI is located.
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada, including for reasons related to family members.
  
  

For accompanying family members:

• Must meet IRCC’s definition of immediate family (spouse/common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependents).
• Must have submitted one of the following applications:
• A work permit application as a family member of the principal applicant.
• A study permit application showing they are a genuine student with a link to the principal FMCSP applicant.
• A temporary resident visa (TRV) application.
  
  

How to apply

• Visit IRCC’s “How to apply” page for the FMCSP and select the country from which you are applying.
• Indicate whether you are applying alone or with a family member who is also applying for a work permit under this program.
• Based on your responses, the site will generate a document checklist and country-specific instructions.
• Gather all required documents such as application forms, proof of funds, academic records, and language test results.
• When filling the application forms:
• If applying alone, select “Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter.”
• If applying with a family member who is applying for a work permit, select “I am an applicant who meets another exception listed on the IRCC website.”
• Upload all documents to your secure IRCC account and include your language test results under “Client information” in the optional documents section.

Why IRCC raised the cap

IRCC increased the FMCSP intake to help boost the number of French-speaking immigrants living outside Quebec. The proportion of francophones outside Quebec has been declining in recent years, and this initiative supports the federal government’s goal to strengthen French-speaking communities across Canada.

Other initiatives supporting this goal include:

• The French language proficiency category under Express Entry.
• The Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative.
• The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) itself.

As part of this broader plan, IRCC aims for 9.5% of all new immigrants in 2026 to be francophones settling outside Quebec.

Key takeaways

• The FMCSP is a strong option for French-speaking students from eligible countries who want to study and settle in Canada.
• The language requirement (NCLC 5) is more flexible compared to other immigration streams.
• More applications will be accepted this year, making it easier for francophone students to qualify.
• Family members can join the applicant and even obtain work permits while waiting for PR approval.
• Applicants must carefully review IRCC’s eligibility criteria, document requirements, and instructions to ensure a successful application.