Quebec imposes French proficiency requirement for foreign workers, i.e., foreign workers who have lived and worked in Quebec for three years will soon have to prove they can speak French.

Starting December 17, 2025, foreign nationals with three or more years of work experience in Quebec will need to show spoken French skills at level 4 of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale to continue working under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The Quebec government has introduced this new language rule to strengthen the use of French and help foreign workers better integrate into the province’s culture and society.

Who Must Meet The New French Language Requirement?

Workers under the TFWP who have worked in Quebec for at least three years will need to meet the spoken French requirement by December 17, 2025, to qualify for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and renew their work permits.

However, there is a grace period for workers already in Quebec when the rule starts. These individuals will have until December 17, 2028, to meet the requirement. During this time, they can still apply for a CAQ to extend their TFWP work permits even if they don’t yet meet the French level.

Who Will Be Exempt From The Requirement?

Some workers will not need to meet this spoken French requirement. These include:

  • Temporary foreign workers in agricultural jobs
  • Foreign nationals working in offices of political organizations of a foreign country
  • Employees of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) recognized by the Government of Quebec.

Foreign workers in these categories can continue to work in Quebec without proving French language proficiency.

What Is A CAQ And Why Is It Needed?

As Quebec imposes French proficiency requirement for foreign workers, let us understand what a CAQ is and why it is required. 

Well, foreign nationals who want to work in Quebec through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) must first get a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the provincial immigration ministry.

The CAQ is an important document for all temporary workers and students in Quebec. Once they receive a CAQ, they must then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit.

In addition, these workers also need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to show that hiring them will not negatively affect Canadian workers.

Why Did Quebec Introduced This Rule?

Quebec has taken this step for two main reasons:

  • To Control Temporary Immigration Levels:

Quebec, like the federal government, is working to reduce the number of temporary residents including international students and foreign workers to ease pressure on housing and affordability in the province.

  • To Protect And Promote The French Language:

The province considers French its official and cultural language. The province believes that newcomers who speak French can integrate better into its society and maintain its Francophone identity.

By introducing this French requirement, Quebec wants to ensure that foreign workers not only fill jobs but also become part of the province’s culture and community.

About The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

As Quebec imposes French proficiency requirement for foreign workers, let us discuss about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). 

The TFWP is one of Canada’s main programs for bringing in foreign workers. It helps employers hire foreign nationals when no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the job.

Under the TFWP, all work permits are tied to a specific employer, meaning workers can only work for that employer. Each application must include an LMIA, a document that confirms the employer’s need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian is available to do the job.

The TFWP is different from the International Mobility Program (IMP), another federal program that also allows foreign nationals to work in Canada.

The IMP issues work permits that do not need an LMIA and can sometimes be open work permits, allowing the worker to work for almost any employer. Examples of open work permits under the IMP include:

  • Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)
  • Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs)
  • Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs)

The new French requirement only applies to those under the TFWP, not to workers with open permits under the IMP.

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