On August 26th, 2024, up to 2,300 students were able to bypass Canada’s current student intake cap.
Students accepted into this program can also bring qualifying family members to Canada with them. Additionally, the program includes changes to make it easier for applicants from French-speaking regions to be approved.
What Is the New Permanent Residence Program for French-Speaking Students?
This pilot program will fast-track French-speaking students to permanent residency after they finish their studies in Canada. This aims to increase the French-speaking population outside of Quebec.
To make it easier for French-speaking students from underrepresented regions to come to Canada, the program:
- Removes the requirement to prove they will leave Canada after their studies.
- Lowers financial requirements.
- Offers settlement services.
- Waives the need for a provincial or territorial approval letter.
Unlike the regular student program, this pilot allows students to bring their spouses and children to Canada. Additionally, it bypasses the current cap on international students, but has its own limit of 2,300 applicants for the first year.
Who Can Apply for the French-Speaking Student Pilot Program?
Not all French-speaking students can apply for this program. To qualify, applicants must meet specific requirements related to their citizenship, chosen course of study, and financial resources.
You must be a citizen of one of the following countries to apply for the pilot program:
| Benin | 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 |
| Haiti | Lebanon | Madagascar |
| Mali | Mauritania | Mauritius |
| Morocco | Niger | Rwanda |
| Saint Lucia | São Tomé and Principe | Senegal |
| Seychelles | Togo | Tunisia |
Eligible Study Programs
Not every program qualifies for this pilot. However, the rules are less strict compared to other programs that bypass the student cap. This is good news for French-speaking students.
To be eligible, your program must be:
- A full-time post-secondary course
- At least two years long
- Lead to a degree or diploma
- Primarily taught in French (more than half the classes)
- Offered by a participating school
Where Can You Study in Canada?
This pilot program is expected to target universities and colleges located within or near Francophone Minority Communities outside of Quebec. The list of cities includes:
- Évangéline Region, Prince Edward Island
- Clare, Nova Scotia
- Haut-Saint-Jean Region, New Brunswick
- Labrador City–Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Hawkesbury, Eastern Ontario
- Sudbury, Northern Ontario
- Hamilton, Southwest Central Ontario
- Seine River Region, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw-Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan
- Calgary, Alberta
- Prince George, British Columbia
- Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
- Whitehorse, Yukon
- Iqaluit, Nunavut
As well as these 10 cities that were recently added:
- Nanaimo, BC
- Red River, MB
- Cheticamp, NS
- Belle-Baie, NB
- Caraquet, NB
- Restigouche West Region, NB
- Prince Alberta, SK
- Cornwall, ON
- Cochrane District, ON
- London, ON.
Are You Interested in Applying for the French-Speaking Student Pilot Program?
At VisaPlace, our team of experienced immigration professionals is here to assist you every step of the way. From assessing your eligibility to preparing a compelling application package, we offer comprehensive services to ensure your permanent resident journey in Canada is a success.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your path towards becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
