Updated public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence and issuance of open work permits for foreign nationals in Canada, outside quebec, who obtained a Canadian credential while participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot

Background

The Government of Canada’s commitment to restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophone and Acadian minority communities is now enshrined in the modernized Official Languages Act. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s Policy on Francophone Immigration aims to enhance the long-term vitality and prosperity of Francophone and Acadian minority communities and pave a path toward restoring and increasing their demographic weight within an immigration system that is fair, equitable and non-discriminatory.

Francophone minority communities rely on immigration to fill critical labour market needs across a wide variety of occupations and sectors, as well as to maintain the vitality of French in their communities, including French postsecondary education. The Policy on Francophone Immigration aims to maximize the selection of French-speaking international students, who are seen as a source of key talent to help support this objective. IRCC has committed to reducing the barriers that impede the acceptance of French-speaking international students, as well as expanding pathways to permanent residency. This will be achieved through a pilot project to attract more French-speaking international students to Francophone post-secondary institutions outside Quebec, facilitate applicants’ access to Canadian education, and foster their integration and retention in Francophone minority communities.

IRCC recognizes that parts of Africa, the Middle East and the Americas contain important pools of potential French-speaking international students, and that these regions also face historically high study permit refusal rates. Through its efforts to modernize the International Student Program and in recognition of important findings and recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in their 2022 report entitled Differential Treatment in Recruitment and Acceptance Rates of Foreign Students in Quebec and in the Rest of Canada and by the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages in their 2023 report entitled Francophone immigration to minority communities: Towards a bold, strong and coordinated approach, IRCC commits to improving equitable access to education in Canada by reducing barriers faced by certain groups of study permit applicants, including French-speaking international students from these regions.

Public Policy Considerations

This public policy supports the creation of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP), together with the Updated public policy for French-speaking foreign nationals applying for study permits under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. It consists of a temporary-residence-to-permanent-residence pathway for French-speaking international students from world regions that face historically high study permit refusal rates, who are seeking to pursue postsecondary studies taught in French at select postsecondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) located outside Quebec.

This pilot supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophone and Acadian minority communities, as well as IRCC’s objective of facilitating more equitable access to the International Student Program by reducing barriers for French-speaking study permit applicants from world regions that face historically high study permit refusal rates and by fostering their integration and retention in Francophone minority communities.

By granting permanent resident status to recent graduates who successfully participated in the FMCSP, and allowing them to work while they await a decision on their permanent resident application, Canada will ensure that more French-speaking international student graduates are able to remain in Canada after the completion of their studies and contribute to Francophone immigration objectives and targets. These graduates are expected to have the education, official language knowledge and skills required to support their long-term economic establishment in Canada and specifically in Francophone minority communities, and the Canadian economy will continue to benefit from their training and expertise.

Pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), I hereby establish that sufficient public policy considerations justify granting permanent resident status or facilitating the acquisition of permanent resident status or the issuance of open work permits through exemptions from certain requirements of the Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) as set out below to eligible foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) listed below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements)

Part 1 – In-Canada principal applicants applying for permanent residence:

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant permanent resident status to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions.

The foreign national:

1. has been issued a study permit as a principal applicant through the FMCSP;
2. has submitted a FMCSP permanent resident application under this public policy;
3. has completed, prior to the date on which the FMCSP permanent resident application in (2) is received, all requirements of a full‑time program of study that
   1. was at least two years in duration;
   2. lead to the issuance of a degree or diploma;
   3. was taught primarily in French (i.e., more than 50% of classes delivered in French); and
   4. was at a designated learning institution that was a signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding with IRCC to participate in the FMCSP at the time the study permit was issued;
4. has included with the application for permanent residence referred to in (2), either
   1. a copy of the degree or diploma issued; or
   2. if a degree or diploma has not yet been issued, a letter from the designated learning institution confirming that the foreign national has successfully completed their program of study and will receive a diploma or degree at a later date.
5. was authorized pursuant to the Act and Regulations to study during the entirety of their education in Canada;
6. resides in Canada, outside the province of Quebec, and has valid temporary resident status (as a worker, student or visitor), or has applied for and is eligible to restore their status;
7. is in Canada at the time of granting of permanent residence;
8. intends to reside in a province or territory other than the province of Quebec;
9. has submitted the application referred to in (2) by electronic means (apply online) using the electronic form identified for permanent resident applications under this public policy, or by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose if the foreign national is unable to meet the requirement to make the application, submit any document or provide signature or information using electronic means; and
10. is not inadmissible under Division 4 of the Act and meets all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in Canada under the Regulations other than those relating to the selection of foreign nationals under a particular permanent resident class.

Part 2 – In-Canada family members applying for permanent residence:

Based on public policy considerations, in-Canada family members of a principal applicant who applies for permanent residence under Part 1 of this public policy are eligible to be granted permanent resident status pursuant to this public policy if they meet the following conditions:

The foreign national:

1. is in Canada with valid temporary resident status (as a worker, student or visitor) or has applied for and is eligible to restore their status;
2. intends to reside in a province or territory other than the province of Quebec;
3. has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant who has been determined to meet all conditions under Part 1 and has been granted permanent residence under this public policy;
4. meets the definition of a “family member” in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations in relation to the principal applicant referred to in (2) or is a child (regardless of age) of a principal applicant referred to in (2), and had already been granted temporary resident status facilitated under the FMCSP as a dependant child of that principle applicant; and
5. is not inadmissible under Division 4 of the Act and meets all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in Canada, under the Regulations, other than those relating to the selection of foreign nationals under a particular permanent resident class.

Part 3 –Family members applying for a permanent resident visa outside of Canada :

Based on public policy considerations, when processing an application for a permanent resident visa, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below when a foreign national meets the following conditions:

The foreign national:

1. intends to reside in a province or territory other than the province of Quebec;
2. has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant who has been determined to meet all conditions under Part 1 and has been granted permanent residence under this public policy; and
3. meets the definition of a “family member” in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations in relation to the principal applicant referred to in (2) or is a child (regardless of age) of a principal applicant referred to in (2),  who had already been granted temporary resident status facilitated under the FMCSP as a dependant child of that principle applicant.

Part 4 –Principal applicants in Canada applying for an open work permit and an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident or restoration of temporary resident status:

Based on public policy considerations, when processing such application, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below if: 

The foreign national:

1. holds or held a study permit as a principal applicant facilitated under the FMCSP;
2. has valid temporary resident status in Canada (as a worker, student, or visitor) or has applied for and is eligible to restore their status;
3. has submitted an application for one or  more of the following for facilitation under the FMCSP:
   1. a work permit or a work permit renewal pursuant to section 200 or 201 of the Regulations, where the duration of the work permit requested is for a maximum of three years, 
   2. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident pursuant to section 181 of the Regulations, or
   3. restoration of temporary resident status in Canada pursuant to section 182 of the Regulations;
4. has submitted with the application referred to in (3)
   1. a copy of the degree or diploma issued; or
   2. if a degree or diploma has not yet been issued, a letter from the designated learning institution—that was signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding with IRCC to participate in the FMCSP at the time the study permit was issued— confirming that the foreign national has successfully completed their program of study and will receive a diploma or degree at a later date; and
5. has a pending application for permanent residence under Part 1 of this Public Policy.

Part 5 –Family members (inside and outside Canada) applying for an open work permit, study permit extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident, or restoration of temporary resident status:

Based on public policy considerations, when processing an application for a work permit, study permit, extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident or a restoration of temporary resident status, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified if: 

The foreign national:

1. meets the definition of a “family member” in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations in relation to the principal applicant referred to in Part 1, or is a child (regardless of age) of that principal applicant and had already been granted temporary resident status facilitated under the FMCSP as a dependant child of that principle applicant;
2. if in Canada, has valid temporary resident status (as a worker, student or visitor) or has applied for and is eligible to restore their status;
3. has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant under Part 1 of this public policy and that application is pending a decision;
4. has submitted an application for one or more of the following for facilitation under the FMCSP:
   1. a study permit or study permit renewal pursuant to  section 216 or 217 of the Regulations;
   2. a work permit or work permit renewal pursuant to section 200 or 201 of the Regulations, where the duration of the work permit requested is for a maximum of three years;
   3. a temporary resident visa pursuant to section 179 of the Regulations;
   4. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident pursuant to section 181 of the Regulations, or
   5. restoration of temporary resident status in Canada pursuant to section 182 of the Regulation.

Provisions of the Act and Regulations for which an exemption may be granted

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in Part 3 (Family members applying for a permanent resident visa outside of Canada):

1. Paragraph 10(2)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to indicate the class prescribed by these Regulations for which the application is made;
2. Paragraph 70(1)(a) of the Regulations – the requirement to apply as a member of a class referred to in subsection 70(2) of the Regulations;
3. Paragraph 70(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be a member of an immigration class; and
4. Paragraph 70(1)(d) of the Regulations – the requirement to meet the selection criteria applicable to a class.
5. For the child (regardless of age) referred to in Part 3(3), Paragraph 70(4) of the Regulations - the requirement to be a family member as defined in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations.

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in Part 4 (Principal applicants in Canada applying for an open work permit and an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident or restoration of temporary resident status):

• The requirement in paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Act – for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period  authorized for their stay in order to be become or remain in Canada as a temporary resident;
• The requirement in subsection 22(2) of the Act – for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay in order to become or remain in Canada as a temporary resident;
• Paragraph 179(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9 in order to be issued a Temporary Resident Visa or extend their authorization to remain in Canada or restore their status as a temporary resident in Canada;
• Paragraphs 199 (a) to (i) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9 in order to be issued a Work Permit;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;

Provisions of the Act and Regulations for which an exemption may be granted for foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in Part 5 (Family members inside or outside Canada applying for an open work permit, study permit, extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident, or restoration of temporary resident status):

• The requirement in paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Act – for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay in order to become or remain in Canada as a temporary resident;
• The requirement in subsection 22(2) of the Act – for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay in order to become or remain in Canada as a temporary resident;
• Paragraph 179(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9 in order to be issued a Temporary Resident Visa or extend their authorization to remain in Canada or restore their status as a temporary resident;
• Paragraphs 199(a) to (i) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9 in order to be issued a Work Permit;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;
• Paragraph 216(1)(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9 in order to be issued a study permit;

Other eligibility and admissibility criteria

Foreign nationals eligible for exemptions under this public policy are subject to all other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempted under this, or another public policy.

Effective date and expiration

This public policy revokes and replaces the Public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence for foreign nationals in Canada, outside Quebec, who obtained a Canadian credential while participating in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot signed on September 18, 2025.

This public policy takes effect upon my signature and expires on November 30, 2032. It may be revoked at any time without prior notice.

This public policy applies to applications received by IRCC on or after the date it comes into effect, and before the expiry date or the revocation of the public policy.