Francophone Mobility: TEER 4 & 5 Trades
How French-speaking workers in lower-skilled occupations secure LMIA-exempt work permits outside Quebec.
The Francophone Mobility stream (Exemption Code C16) was expanded to cover **all NOC TEER levels 0 to 5**. This means French-speaking candidates in lower-skilled fields—such as food service, hospitality, retail, and construction labor—can now get closed work permits without an LMIA.
TEER 4 & 5 Stream Requirements
To qualify for a Francophone Mobility permit in a TEER 4 or 5 trade, you must satisfy:
- French Language Test: Achieve a minimum score of **CLB 5** or higher in French (TEF or TCF test).
- Job Offer: Hold a valid, full-time job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation from an employer outside Quebec.
- Primary Agriculture Exclusion: Most occupations are eligible, but primary agriculture jobs (e.g. farm workers, harvesters) are excluded from the C16 stream.
- Location: The job must be located in any province or territory outside of Quebec.
Eligible TEER 4 & 5 Occupations
Here are common lower-skilled occupations that now qualify for the C16 LMIA exemption:
| Occupation Category | NOC Group | Example Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Food Services | TEER 4 & 5 | Food counters attendants, kitchen helpers, servers, light duty cleaners. |
| Retail & Customer Support | TEER 4 | Retail salespersons, store shelf stockers, customer service representatives. |
| Construction & Trades Labor | TEER 5 | Construction trades helpers and laborers, public works maintenance laborers. |
| Transport & Delivery | TEER 4 | Delivery service drivers, couriers, material handlers. |
Employer Submission Rules
The hiring company must use the IRCC Employer Portal to register the offer:
- Submit Form: Submit the job offer under LMIA exemption code **C16**.
- Fee: Pay the standard **$230 CAD** employer compliance fee.
- Work Permit Application: Share the offer number with the worker so they can submit their work permit request online or at a Port of Entry.
This guide compiles official work permit regulations and Francophone Mobility expansion rules sourced directly from:
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Francophone Mobility: canada.ca/francophone-mobility
• IRCC C16 Significant Benefit Exemption Manual: canada.ca/c16-exemption-details