Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced it will open a new immigration pilot program – the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot or FMCSP - to welcome more international students from select countries into Francophone communities across Canada on August 26, 2024. Among the benefits, students under the pilot program and their families will be exempt from proving that they will leave Canada at the end of their temporary stay and have a direct pathway to permanent residence status after they complete their programs. Additionally, the sufficient funds requirement threshold for these study permit applicants will be adjusted to reflect 75% of the low-income cut-off associated with the municipality where the learning institution’s main campus is located. To be eligible, students must be a citizen of an eligible country; have a letter of acceptance from a participating Designated Learning Institution that says they are applying under the FMCSP; be enrolled in a study program that meets certain criteria; have sufficient means to cover tuition fees and living expenses; live outside Canada at the time of the application; and have qualifying French speaking skills, among other requirements. IRCC will accept up to 2,300 students under the program in the first year and set a cap for the second year of the pilot program by August 2025. More details on the pilot program can be found here. The measure builds on the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot announced earlier in 2024 to increase the number of French-speaking foreign nationals settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.
Awards
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler is recognized by EB5 Investors Magazine as a 2025 Top 25 award recipient, reflecting leadership and long-standing impact in the global investment immigration space.
Blog post
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni outline key considerations across the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the US Gold Card, comparing eligibility, investment structures and risk factors for high-net-worth individuals from the Middle East seeking US permanent residence.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh commented on proposed changes to US entry requirements.
Video
Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi from Fragomen explains everything about the Schengen C Visa: who needs it, how to apply and key travel tips to stay compliant in the Schengen Area.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discussed Canada’s $1B plan to attract global researchers.
Blog post
Manager Alex Hood, Senior Associate Kimberley Ong and Immigration Paralegal Ataa Rajput explain the final extension and settlement deadlines for UK Tier 1 Investor visa holders and outline who can still qualify and why early action is essential.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh on how the $100K H‑1B fee factors into hiring international talent.
Media mentions
Managing Director Magdalene Tennant and Director Kitty Lo highlight Hong Kong as an attractive destination for global investors.
Blog post
IPM Business Process Manager Hazel Yaman outlines key visa, work authorisation and border considerations for athletes, media, event staff and spectators travelling to Italy for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including the impact of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System.
Media mentions
Corporate Services Director Elena Caron highlights key considerations for UK nationals moving to the UAE.
Media mentions
Partner Jill Bloom explains how the new wage-based H-1B selection rule may influence hiring decisions and prompt employers to reassess workforce planning and explore alternative visa options.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how companies are rethinking their H-1B strategies amid evolving policies.
Awards
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler is recognized by EB5 Investors Magazine as a 2025 Top 25 award recipient, reflecting leadership and long-standing impact in the global investment immigration space.
Blog post
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni outline key considerations across the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the US Gold Card, comparing eligibility, investment structures and risk factors for high-net-worth individuals from the Middle East seeking US permanent residence.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh commented on proposed changes to US entry requirements.
Video
Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi from Fragomen explains everything about the Schengen C Visa: who needs it, how to apply and key travel tips to stay compliant in the Schengen Area.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discussed Canada’s $1B plan to attract global researchers.
Blog post
Manager Alex Hood, Senior Associate Kimberley Ong and Immigration Paralegal Ataa Rajput explain the final extension and settlement deadlines for UK Tier 1 Investor visa holders and outline who can still qualify and why early action is essential.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh on how the $100K H‑1B fee factors into hiring international talent.
Media mentions
Managing Director Magdalene Tennant and Director Kitty Lo highlight Hong Kong as an attractive destination for global investors.
Blog post
IPM Business Process Manager Hazel Yaman outlines key visa, work authorisation and border considerations for athletes, media, event staff and spectators travelling to Italy for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including the impact of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System.
Media mentions
Corporate Services Director Elena Caron highlights key considerations for UK nationals moving to the UAE.