Quebec Sets French Language Rule for Foreign Workers Starting December 2025

Quebec is making a big change for foreign workers. Starting December 17, 2025, if you've worked in Quebec for three years or more, you'll need to prove you can speak French. The required level is NCLC 4, which means you should be able to have basic conversations in French.

This is a major shift for thousands of workers who immigrate to Quebec through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Let's break down what this means and who it affects.

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Who Needs to Meet This New Rule?

If you're a foreign worker under the TFWP and you've been working in Quebec for three years or more, this applies to you. You'll need to show your French skills to get or renew your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). Without a CAQ, you can't get a work permit in Quebec.

But here's some good news: if you're already working in Quebec when this rule starts, you don't have to rush. The government is giving you three years to learn French and pass the test. That means you have until December 17, 2028, to meet the requirement. Until then, you can still renew your work permit without proving French proficiency.

Who Gets a Pass on the French Requirement?

Some workers won't need to worry about this rule at all. Quebec has made exceptions for:

• Farm and agricultural workers: If you work in farming, you're exempt from the French requirement
• Political organization staff: People working for foreign governments or political offices in Quebec
• International NGO workers: Employees of recognized international non-governmental organizations

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If you fall into one of these categories, you can breathe easy, the French rule doesn't apply to you.

Why Is Quebec Doing This?

There are two main reasons behind this decision. First, Quebec aims to slow down immigration to address housing issues. Like many places in Canada, Quebec is dealing with a shortage of affordable homes. By adding this requirement, they hope to reduce the number of temporary workers in the province.

Second, and maybe more important to Quebec, is protecting the French language. Quebec is the only province in Canada where French is the main language. For Quebecers, speaking French isn't just about communication, it's about preserving their culture and identity.

The government believes that if you're going to work and live in Quebec, learning French helps you fit in better and understand the local community.

What This Means for You

If you're a foreign worker in Quebec, now's the time to start thinking about French lessons. You don't need to be fluent, but NCLC level 4 means you should be able to handle everyday conversations at work and in your community.

Employers also need to pay attention. If your business relies on foreign workers, you might want to help them with language training. It's good for them, and it's good for your business too.

The TFWP already has lots of paperwork. You need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and you're tied to one specific employer. Adding a language test makes it more complicated, but the three-year grace period gives everyone time to adjust.

Looking Ahead

Quebec's new French requirement demonstrates the province's seriousness about two key objectives: managing population growth and maintaining the strength of the French language.

For foreign workers, it's a reminder that working in Quebec means being part of a French-speaking community and meeting province-specific standards outlined in the Quebec occupation in-demand list, which identifies in-demand professions eligible for immigration programs.

If you're affected by this change, don't wait until the last minute. Start learning French now, and you'll find it makes living in Quebec easier in every way. The December 2025 deadline might seem far off, but time flies especially when you're learning a new language.

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Source: quebec.ca

Tags: Quebec immigration Quebec immigration French language policy Skilled Worker Selection Program Quebec Occupation In-Demand List Quebec French proficiency requirement Quebec temporary foreign worker rule Quebec work permit Canada immigration news