The "Secret" to Hiring Global Talent Without an LMIA: The Francophone Mobility Program
- Sana Immigration Consulting
Are you a Canadian employer struggling to fill vacancies? You are likely familiar with the dreaded acronym: LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).
For many businesses outside of Quebec, the LMIA process is a major hurdle—it’s expensive, time-consuming (advertising requirements), and unpredictable.
But what if there was a way to skip the LMIA process entirely, save money, and access a massive pool of global talent?
That is possible with the Francophone Mobility Program (Mobilité Francophone).
At Sana Immigration, we often find this is the most underutilized tool in a Canadian employer’s hiring toolkit. Here is how your business can benefit from this streamlined pathway.
1. The Golden Ticket: LMIA Exemption (Code C16)
The single biggest advantage of this program is that it is LMIA-exempt. Under exemption code C16, Canadian employers (outside of Quebec) do not need to go through the exhaustive and time consuming process of LMIA
No Advertising Required: You save weeks (or months) by skipping the mandatory recruitment period.
Cost Savings: Instead of the $1,000 LMIA fee, you only pay a *$230 Employer Compliance Fee*. You also save the Job Advertisement fee
Faster Processing: Because there is no LMIA application to Service Canada, the work permit application can be submitted much sooner.
2. It’s Not Just for "French Jobs"
This is the most common misconception. The job you are hiring for does NOT need to be in French. You are not required to offer a French-speaking work environment. The program’s goal is to bring French-speaking people to provinces outside Quebec, not necessarily to fill French-speaking roles.
Scenario: You need a Welder, a Software Developer, or a Restaurant Manager in Toronto or Calgary.
Requirement: The candidate must have moderate French proficiency. The job itself can be conducted entirely in English.
3. Access a Wider Talent Pool (New Rules!)
Recent updates by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have drastically expanded who is eligible, making it easier for you to find workers.
Lower Language Bar (NCLC 5): Candidates no longer need to be fluent. They now only need a moderate level of French (NCLC Level 5) in speaking and listening. This opens the door to candidates from countries where French is a second language, not just native speakers.
All Skill Levels Included: Originally reserved for high-skilled roles, the program is now open to all TEER categories (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), with the exception of primary agriculture. Whether you are hiring a Senior Engineer or a Food Service Supervisor, this program works.
4. Higher Retention Rates
Workers hired through the Francophone Mobility Program often have a strong desire to stay in Canada permanently. Because they have French language skills, they earn additional points in the Express Entry system (specifically for French-language proficiency).
This means your temporary worker has a clearer, faster pathway to Permanent Residence, increasing the likelihood that they will stay with your company for the long term.
How the Process Works for Employers
Hiring through Mobilité Francophone is significantly more straightforward than the TFWP (Temporary Foreign Worker Program).
Find a Candidate: Locate a qualified candidate who has moderate French speaking/listening skills (NCLC 5). You may hire a specialized recruitment agency for Francophone Mobility Program like Munro Banting Inc
Issue an Offer of Employment: Sana Immigration Inc will manage the handling of Employer portal and the Offer of Employment generation as your specialized immigration service provider for Francophone Mobility Program
Apply for Work Permit for your employee: Sana Immigration Inc will handle the documentation and submissions of the Francophone Mobility Work Permit for your employee
Why Choose Us?
While the process is simpler than an LMIA, navigating the Employer Portal, ensuring the correct NOC/TEER classification, and verifying your candidate’s eligibility can still be tricky. A mistake here can lead to refusals or compliance audits later.
At Sana Immigration, we specialize in helping Canadian employers leverage the Francophone Mobility Program to build stronger, diverse teams. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on running your business.
Ready to hire without the hassle? Contact us today to see if your next hire qualifies for the Francophone Mobility Program.