French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provides a specialized immigration pathway for bilingual skilled workers who are fluent in both French and English. As part of Ontario’s Express Entry-aligned streams, this program aims to attract candidates who not only meet the province’s labour market needs but also support its commitment to linguistic diversity and the promotion of French language communities.
To be eligible, applicants must have a valid Express Entry profile and qualify under either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). While the program does not require a job offer, candidates must demonstrate a strong command of both French and English, meet education and work experience requirements, and intend to live and work in Ontario.
Applicants must score at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in French and CLB level 6 in English, among other requirements related to education, admissibility, and settlement intent. Ontario uses the Express Entry pool to search for and invite eligible bilingual candidates by issuing a Notification of Interest (NOI). Those who receive a nomination from Ontario are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the federal system.
This stream supports Ontario’s broader goals of strengthening Francophone communities and meeting economic priorities by encouraging qualified bilingual professionals to contribute to the province’s workforce.
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is one of three Express Entry streams under the OINP, alongside the Human Capital Priorities Stream and the Skilled Trades Stream. Each stream offers unique benefits based on an applicant’s professional background and language profile.
Applicants are encouraged to stay up to date with Express Entry draw trends, changes in eligibility requirements, and updates to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, which can impact selection criteria.
Book a consultation with our expert immigration consultants to assess your eligibility for the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream and begin your application process with confidence.
