​Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the FMCSP, applicants must:

• Be citizens of an eligible country

• Live outside Canada when applying

• Have a letter of acceptance from a participating designated learning institution (DLI) confirming FMCSP status

• Show proof of enough funds to cover tuition and living expenses for themselves and family members

• Take a medical exam or provide a police certificate if required

• Prove French language ability at level 5 or higher in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale

Additional documents may be requested, which can extend processing time.

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Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of specific Organisation internationale de la Francophonie countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, including:

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, and Tunisia.​

 

Path to Permanent Residence

Graduates of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot may have a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada. If applicants successfully complete their studies, applicants and their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may qualify, provided applicants meet the following conditions:

• Applicants are living in Canada outside Quebec

• Applicants hold valid temporary resident status when applying

• Applicants earned an eligible degree or diploma while participating in the FMCSP

Additional criteria may apply depending on the immigration program applicants use to apply for permanent residence. This pathway gives French-speaking graduates an opportunity to remain in Canada, contribute to Francophone minority communities, and build a long-term future.

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Program Requirements

Study programs under the FMCSP must:

• Be full-time and at the post-secondary level

• Last at least two years

• Lead to a degree or diploma

• Have French as the primary language of instruction (more than 50% of courses taught in French)​​​​

 

Exemptions and Modifications

 Applicants are exempt from the requirement to prove they will leave Canada at end of stay (i.e., the “intent to leave” requirement) which is normally required under the standard study permit rules. Applicants under FMCSP are not counted toward the general international student cap applied by IRCC.

 

Financial Requirements and Proof

Applicants must show proof of enough funds to cover tuition, living costs, and travel. The required amount depends on the size of the community where the school’s main campus is located. Proof can include:

• Bank statements (last 4 months)

• Proof of a Canadian bank account in applicant's name

• A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution

• Proof of student or education loans

• Bank drafts convertible to Canadian dollars

• Proof of tuition and housing payments

• Letters from sponsors or schools giving financial support

• Proof of scholarships or Canadian-funded programs

If applicants' country has foreign exchange controls, applicants must prove that they can legally transfer funds for their studies and living expenses.

 

Bringing Family Members

Applicants may bring their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children to Canada. They may be eligible for:

• Visitor visas

• Study permits

• Open work permits

Family members must:

• Submit applications through their IRCC secure account

• Provide proof of applicant's FMCSP status (for example, applicant's study permit or letter of acceptance)

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Required Documents

When applying for a study permit under the FMCSP, applicants need to include:

1. Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

   • From a participating DLI

   • Must state that applicants are applying under the FMCSP

   • Must confirm that the program meets pilot requirements

2. Proof of Financial Support

   • Bank statements (last 4 months)

   • GIC certificate

   • Proof of loans, drafts, or payments

   • Proof of scholarship or funding

3. Proof of Language Skills

   • TEF Canada or TCF Canada results

   • Showing French level 5 or higher in all four skills under the NCLC scale

4. Medical Exam (if required)

   • Needed if applicants lived or travelled in certain countries for 6 months or more in the past year

   • Also required if applicants will study or work in healthcare, education, or childcare/eldercare

5. Police Certificate (if required)

   • Visa office instructions will indicate if this is needed

   • Applicants must follow country-specific instructions

6. Passport and Identity Documents

   • A valid passport or travel document

   • Identity documents for accompanying family members

7. Proof of Family Relationship (if applicable)

   • Marriage certificate for spouse

   • Birth certificates for dependent children

8. Application Forms

   • Completed online through the IRCC secure account

Note: A provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL) is not required for the FMCSP.

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Timeline and Capacity

• The Pilot was officially launched August 26, 2024. 

• For the first year (Aug 26 2024 to Aug 25 2025) the cap is 2,300 study permit applications.

• For the year Aug 26 2025 to Aug 25 2026, the cap is set as 2,970 applications.

• The permanent residency policy is valid until November 31, 2031. 

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If applicants are not eligible for the FMSCP

If applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements, they may still be eligible for a study permit through the regular study permit application process.