Study in Canada as a French-Speaking Student: Through the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)
Canada is welcoming French-speaking students from eligible countries through a special immigration stream: the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot. This program supports post-secondary students who want to study in French outside of Quebec, while helping grow vibrant French-speaking communities across Canada.
Once a student completes the requisite program of study, they will be eligible to apply for PR in Canada. Work experience is not required.
Who Can Apply?
To apply under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country (see list below).
- Have a letter of acceptance from a participating Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that clearly states you are applying under the FMCSP.
- Show proof of sufficient funds to cover:
- Your tuition fees
- Living expenses for yourself and any family members coming with you
- Be outside Canada when you apply.
- Take a medical exam and obtain a police certificate, if required.
- Prove your French language ability at NCLC level 5 or higher in all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
Note: Depending on your country of residence, additional documents may be required. IRCC may request further evidence to support your application, which could affect processing times.
Eligible Countries of Citizenship
To be eligible for the FMCSP, you must be a citizen of a country in Africa, the Middle East, or the Americas that is a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
- Bénin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haïti
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Niger
- Rwanda
- Saint Lucia
- São Tomé and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Togo
- Tunisia
Study Program Requirements
To qualify for this pilot, your study program must:
- Be at the post-secondary level (college or university)
- Be full-time
- Be at least two years long
- Lead to a degree or diploma
- Be primarily taught in French (over 50% of the coursework delivered in French)
Your letter of acceptance must confirm that your program meets these criteria and that you’re applying under the FMCSP.
Bringing Your Family
You may be eligible to bring your family members with you, including your:
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children
They may qualify for:
- A visitor visa – Visitor Visa
- A study permit – Study Permit
- An open work permit – Work Permit
Important: Family members must submit their applications independently and include proof that you are applying under the FMCSP, such as:
- Your letter of acceptance (indicating FMCSP)
- Your study permit under the FMCSP
Not Eligible?
If you don’t qualify for the FMCSP, you can still apply for a regular Canadian study permit. Learn more about eligibility, document checklists, and the application process here: Study Permit
Ready to Begin?
Start your journey to study in French in a welcoming Canadian community outside Quebec. Let us help you apply under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
Contact our team today or begin your application with a participating DLI!
