05.01.2023
Canada has two official languages, English and French. As one of Canada’s two official languages, the country welcomes French-speaking skilled workers to the country through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP). The ONIP has a specific initiative known as the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Program which allows individuals who speak French to gain a work visa in Ontario.
The program provides Ontario’s immigration authorities the power to nominate individuals for the Express Entry pool to the province. These individuals must possess both English and French speaking abilities.
The Ontario province aims to welcome more French-speaking immigrants. Ontario already has over 500,000 Francophone immigrants already living there. The addition of French-speaking immigrants is to complement the existing population of Francophones living in Ontario.
Successful applicants to the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Program obtain 600 Comprehensive Ranking System points and are then given an Invitation to Apply for permanent Canadian residency.
Compared to other visa programs offered by Canadian immigration authorities, the French-Speaking Stream Program is open to individuals regardless of having or not having a job offer. An individual’s application is based on their “human capital credentials”. Authorities put an emphasis on the English-French speaking and language abilities of candidates.
Ontario French Stream Requirements
The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Program’s process can take as few as 12 months to complete. It can take longer and not all applicants can complete the entire process within 12 months. However, some applicants may be able to complete the immigration process in fewer than 12 months.