Canada's Francophone Immigration Targets and the 2024 Action Plan
TL;DR — Canada has set progressive Francophone immigration targets for permanent-residence admissions outside Quebec: 6% in 2024, growing to 7% in 2025 and 8% in 2026 (and beyond). These targets sit within the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 and are supported by tools including category-based Express Entry draws for French speakers, the Mobilité Francophone work permit category, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, and dedicated Francophone settlement services. Together they aim to maintain and grow Francophone minority communities outside Quebec.
The targets, in detail
The federal Francophone target is the share of permanent-residence admissions to Canada outside Quebec that come from French-speaking applicants:
Year
Target
Approximate admissions
2023
4.4%
~13,500 (target met)
2024
6%
~25,000
2025
7%
~28,000
2026
8%
~32,000
The targets are progressive — IRCC committed to step-changes upward each year for the next several years to support demographic vitality of Francophone minority communities. The 2024 target represented a significant jump from the 4.4% achieved in 2023.
The target is outside Quebec — Quebec administers its own French-speaking immigration through the Canada-Quebec Accord and is excluded from the federal Francophone target.
Tools for hitting the targets
IRCC uses multiple instruments to attract and retain Francophone immigrants:
1. Category-based Express Entry — French language
Introduced in mid-2023 and used extensively since. IRCC conducts dedicated Express Entry draws for candidates with NCLC 7+ in French. Key features:
CRS cutoffs significantly below general draws (often in the 360s-440s vs 510+ general).
Increased frequency under the 2024 plan.
Higher invitation volumes.
Applies to FSWP, FST, CEC, and PNP-aligned profiles.
2. Mobilité Francophone
LMIA-exempt work permit category for French-speaking foreign workers with offers from Canadian employers outside Quebec. Saves the employer the LMIA fee ($1,000) and time. Workers must demonstrate NCLC 7+ in French and the position must be TEER 0/1/2/3.
3. Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
A new federal pilot announced in 2024 modelled on the Rural Community Immigration Pilot. Designated Francophone-minority communities outside Quebec partner with IRCC. Designated employers in these communities can hire French-speaking foreign workers under a streamlined pathway leading to permanent residence.
4. Francophone settlement services
Expanded network of Francophone settlement service provider organizations (SPOs).
Welcome and orientation in French.
French-language assessment through CLARS.
Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC).
French-language employment counselling.
Connections to local Francophone communities.
5. Francophone PNP streams
Provinces with significant Francophone communities (Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) operate dedicated Francophone PNP streams. These streams add 600 CRS points (for Express Entry-aligned PNPs) and prioritize candidates with French ability and connections to Francophone communities.
6. Atlantic Immigration Program
Prioritizes French-speaking applicants in the four Atlantic provinces, especially New Brunswick (which has the highest Francophone share among Atlantic provinces).
Francophone targets, draw cadence, and policy details change. Verify current commitments at canada.ca.
IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized help, contact a CICC-licensed RCIC or a Canadian immigration lawyer.
Source: canada.ca · IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.
