Canada is making a strategic push to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec, setting a bold new target of 12% by 2029. With the latest initiatives and focused Express Entry draws, French-speaking skilled workers now have a clearer and more attainable pathway to permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
A New Direction in Immigration Policy
On June 2, 2025, Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, unveiled a significant update in Canada’s immigration strategy. The government is now intensifying efforts to boost French-speaking immigration, raising its targets incrementally from 8.5% in 2025 to 12% by 2029.
This announcement comes in response to growing concern over the declining demographic presence of Francophones outside Quebec. Statistics Canada reports show a drop from 6.1% in 1971 to just 3.5% in 2021. To reverse this trend, IRCC plans to strengthen French-language immigration channels across Canada.
Rising French-Focused Express Entry Draws
The Express Entry system is playing a central role in achieving these targets. In 2025 alone, French language-proficiency draws have already issued 18,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), comprising over 50% of total Express Entry invitations this year.
These draws often feature lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores, providing a competitive edge to Francophone candidates. Here are the key French Express Entry draws in 2025:
- March 21: 7,500 ITAs, CRS 379
- March 6: 4,500 ITAs, CRS 410
- February 19: 6,500 ITAs, CRS 428
Compared to other categories—like the recent June 2 PNP draw with just 277 ITAs—Francophone draws remain large in scale and generous in scope.
Government Goals and Strategic Targets
Canada’s immigration roadmap includes annual targets to gradually boost Francophone PR admissions outside Quebec:
- 2025: 8.5%
- 2026: 9.5%
- 2027: 10%
- 2029: 12%
From 2003 to September 2024, Canada admitted over 132,000 French-speaking PRs outside Quebec. The IRCC’s approach builds on this success while responding to calls for more ambitious goals from stakeholders like the FCFA (Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada).
Key Programs Supporting Francophone Immigration
1. Express Entry Category-Based Selection
Candidates with strong French language skills receive prioritized ITAs through targeted draws. These selections promote economic integration and linguistic diversity.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Francophone-friendly provinces like New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia use the PNP to nominate French-speaking candidates. In 2023, 24% of French-speaking PRs outside Quebec came through the PNP.
3. Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
Launching in late 2024, this pilot will allow French-speaking and bilingual individuals to settle in rural Francophone communities. It aims to tackle labour shortages and support demographic growth.
4. Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
Introduced in August 2024, this program helps international students studying in French-language institutions settle and transition to PR after graduation.
5. Francophone Mobility Program
Extended in 2023, this program enables Canadian employers to hire French-speaking workers for a wider range of jobs, streamlining the path to PR.
Looking Ahead
Canada’s commitment to Francophone immigration is deeply tied to its bilingual identity and economic development. By expanding Express Entry draws and introducing supportive programs, the federal government aims to empower French-speaking communities and meet its 12% PR admission goal by 2029.
For French-speaking candidates, now is the ideal time to explore Canadian immigration. With lower CRS requirements and dedicated pathways, skilled Francophones have unprecedented opportunities to build a future in Canada.
