UPDATED FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY IMMIGRATION PILOT (FCIP) 2026

📌 Economic immigration program applicable only to designated Francophone minority communities outside Québec
📆 Official IRCC update: January 12, 2026

What is FCIP?

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is an economic permanent residence program for French-speaking candidates who intend to live and work in Francophone minority communities outside Québec.

Only candidates recommended by a local Economic Development Organization (EDO) are eligible to apply for permanent residence (PR).

How the Program Works

Each participating community is represented by an Economic Development Organization (EDO).
The EDO works in coordination with IRCC to:

• Identify local labour shortages

• Designate eligible employers

• Issue a Certificate of Recommendation to qualified candidates

Once recommended, the candidate may submit a direct PR application to IRCC via the online portal.

PR Eligibility Requirements under FCIP

1. Valid Community Recommendation

• A Certificate of Recommendation issued by a designated EDO

• Issued only to candidates holding a valid job offer from a designated employer

2. Minimum Education

• Canadian high school diploma or equivalent

• Foreign education must be assessed by an IRCC-recognized ECA organization

⚠️ No ECA submitted at the recommendation stage = application returned

3. French Language Proficiency (Mandatory)

• Minimum NCLC 5 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing

• Results must come from an IRCC-approved French language test

• Requirement applies regardless of job skill level

4. Work Experience (within the last 3 years)

• Minimum 1 year of full-time paid work (1,560 hours)

• Experience must be:
  • Paid and non-volunteer

  • In NOC TEER 0–5

  • Substantially matching the NOC main duties

  • As an employee (self-employment not accepted, except licensed physicians)

If gained in Canada:

• Must have held valid legal status and work authorization

5. Job Offer Requirements

The job offer must:

• Be issued by a designated employer

• Be full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent

• Require at least 75% of work performed within the community

• Meet or exceed the Job Bank median wage for that region

• Align with the applicant’s work experience (TEER consistency)

Job offers are not accepted if issued by:

• Foreign government offices or consulates

• Recruitment or staffing agencies hiring for third parties

• Businesses where the applicant or spouse owns more than 50%

• Immigration lawyers or consultants’ firms

6. Proof of Settlement Funds

Required only if the applicant is not already working and residing in Canada.

• Amount: 50% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) for non-metropolitan areas

• Funds must be:
  • Readily available

  • Legally obtained

  • Transferable for settlement in Canada

Amounts vary by family size.

Exemption from Work Experience – International Graduates

Work experience may be waived if the applicant:

• Graduated from a public institution within the recommending community, and:
  • Completed a program of at least 2 years, or

  • Completed a Master’s or PhD (no minimum duration)

• Physically resided in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months

Not eligible for exemption if:

• ESL/FSL courses exceed 50% of the program

• Studies were online or outside the community

• Scholarship required return to home country

• Two one-year programs are combined to reach two years

Ineligible Cases

• Self-recommendation or employer control by the applicant

• Reusing an FCIP recommendation after applying under another program

• Recommendation withdrawn by the EDO

• Prior unauthorized work in Canada

• Job duties primarily performed outside the designated community

Application Process Notes

• Applications must be submitted online via IRCC

• Annual cap: 2,750 principal applicants

• Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is issued only after eligibility review

• Family status changes must be declared with full documentation and fees

• Employer changes are allowed only in limited, justified cases with EDO approval

Final Decision and PR Issuance

• Inside Canada: PR confirmation via IRCC online landing portal

• Outside Canada: COPR and PR visa issued

At entry, applicants must demonstrate a genuine intent to settle in the recommending community.
Failure to do so may result in refusal of PR at the port of entry.

Our FCIP Service Offer – SICON

SICON provides end-to-end FCIP support, including:

• Eligibility assessment and risk screening

• Strategic employer matching in designated communities

• EDO recommendation preparation and coordination

• Complete PR application management

• Settlement and residency strategy to prevent avoidable refusals