5,000 new PR spots for French speakers in 2026
Canada just announced that it exceeded its 2025 Francophone target (8.5%) with about 8.9 percent of PR admissions outside Québec, and it is reserving 5,000 federal selection spaces in 2026 so provinces and territories can designate French-speaking immigrants. Here is what that means for your PR plans.
Why this matters right now
On January 19, 2026, the Minister of Immigration (The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab) confirmed the 2025 result and unveiled a new lever for 2026: 5,000 federal selection spaces specifically for French-speaking candidates outside Québec. The announcement was made in Moncton, New Brunswick and ties directly to Canada’s multi-year plan to raise Francophone admissions.
The numbers and the plan
Ottawa says 2025 reached about 8.9 percent Francophone PRs outside Québec, continuing a multi-year streak of exceeding targets. The federal Levels Plan aims for 9 percent in 2026, 9.5 percent in 2027, and 10.5 percent in 2028, on a path toward 12 percent by 2029. The 5,000 spaces are in addition to provincial nominee allocations.
So what are these 5,000 “federal selection spaces” in practice?
What IRCC has said:
Ottawa will reserve 5,000 federal spaces so provinces and territories can designate French-speaking immigrants in 2026. IRCC frames this as extra capacity and a direct boost to Francophone immigration outside Québec.
What that likely looks like for applicants:
A province or territory flags a French-speaking candidate through its channels and tells IRCC that the person fits its Francophone priorities. IRCC then uses one of the federal spaces to finalize that person’s PR, without using up the province’s regular PNP cap. That is the intent reflected in the news release, but IRCC has not yet published step-by-step mechanics such as forms, timelines, whether this flows inside Express Entry or outside it, or province-by-province criteria. We will update when formal guidance appears.
How Ottawa plans to reach the targets
IRCC points to three main tools that will continue in 2026:
the French-language category in Express Entry (you must already qualify for Express Entry and show NCLC 7 in all abilities),
the Francophone Mobility Work Permit (FMP) Program for LMIA-exempt work permits (typically NCLC 5 in speaking and listening), and
investments in Welcoming Francophone Communities.
What are the provinces saying?
This is new and still unfolding. A few early, relevant signals:
FCFA (national Francophone advocacy) publicly welcomed the news and highlighted the importance of the 5,000 additional designations to sustain Francophone communities. It is not a province, but it is a good barometer for how communities expect provinces to use the spaces.
Alberta has posted official guidance noting that additional federal spaces in 2026 are available across PNPs for physicians or Francophones, and that nominations using this initiative do not count toward Alberta’s regular allocation. That is a strong hint of how a province may operationalize these spaces.
We are watching for explicit provincial press releases that reference the 5,000 spaces by name. If Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, or others publish details or intake notes, we will add the links and quotes.
What this means for you
If you are aiming for Express Entry via the French category: you still need to be Express Entry-eligible and meet NCLC 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Category rounds sit alongside general and program-specific rounds, and each round’s ministerial instructions set the exact criteria that day. Keep your profile current and watch the official rounds page.
If you are working in Canada and need status or time: the Francophone Mobility Work Permit Program remains a practical LMIA-exempt bridge at NCLC 5 (speaking and listening) that pairs well with later Express Entry rounds targeting French. Use it to stay employed and build Canadian experience while you aim for NCLC 7.
How to position your file for Q1–Q2 2026
Book TEF/TCF early. If you are targeting the Express Entry French category, aim for balanced NCLC 7 across all abilities so one weak skill does not hold you back.
Use FMP if you need a faster path to work authorization. Talk to your employer about the LMIA-exempt route and keep building month-by-month Canadian experience while your language improves.
Watch for provincial notes. Provinces may publish how they intend to “designate” candidates under the 5,000 spaces. Follow your target province’s immigration page and IRCC’s newsroom for instructions.
Take action now
Enrol Now: Book a free trial class to start your NCLC 7 sprint or NCLC 5 sprint.
