Frequently Asked Questions

The Francophone Immigration Program of British Columbia (PIFCB) offers free and confidential settlement and employement assistance to Francophone immigrants who are settling in British Columbia. 

Our services are available to permanent residents, temporary residents (temporary workers and foreign students), refugees and Canadian citizens born abroad (naturalized).

In addition to providing individual support in the form of private consultations, the PIFCB organizes monthly activities and events [link to calendar]. These activities, mostly held in French, may take the form of:

• Information sessions (ex: Understanding Canadian taxes, How to find accommodation, How to obtain Canadian citizenship, etc.)
• Employment workshops (Resume writing tips, How to build a professional network, Discover career options, etc.)
• Social activities as an opportunity to meet other members of the Francophone and Immigrant community (Support group for women, Friendly soccer match, etc.)

We offer free and confidential services to holders of a Canadian immigration status and to naturalized citizens.We are here to support your successful integration in British Columbia

• Settlement services
• Housing search
• Obtaining a driver's licence and car insurance
• Obtaining a social security number
• Various administrative procedures
• Tax clinics
• Information on everyday life (banking, transportation, civic life, etc.)
• Workshops and information sessions
• Social activities
• Matching program with a long-time Canadian resident
• Social group activities to meet people and make friends
• Employment assistance
• Adapting to the Canadian job market
• Résumé proofreading
• Interview preparation
• Networking 
• Bilingual employment information workshops and employment fairs

Note: Our agency is not authorized to provide recommendations on immigration procedures or obtaining visas/travel documents based on your particular situation.

Canadian citizens born in Canada are unfortunately not eligible for our services. The mandate of the Francophone Immigration Program of British Columbia is to serve the immigrant clientele born outside the country. We thank you for your understanding.

Naturalized Canadian citizens (born outside Canada) are eligible for our services.

If you were born in Canada, here are some resources that you may find useful:

• To obtain a driver's licence or car insurance, visit ICBC's website
• The organization La Boussole can provide you with information related to employment and settlement.
• RésoSanté is a directory with more than 1,000 Francophone health professionals in British Columbia
• If you come from Quebec, the provincial health authority has published a document explaining the steps to follow in order to join MSP, the public insurance system in BC. 
• The Federation of Francophones of British Columbia publishes an annual directory of Francophone and Francophile professionals and services in the province

Click here to learn more on French life in British Columbia.

If you reside or have resided in Quebec and you were born in Canada, you are unfortunately not eligible for our services. The mandate of the British Columbia Francophone immigration program of is to serve the immigrant clientele born outside the country. We thank you for your understanding.

Permanent residents, naturalized Canadian citizens (born outside Canada) and temporary workers are eligible for our services, regardless of their province of origin.

If you were born in Canada, here are some resources that you may find useful:

• To obtain a driver's licence or car insurance, visit ICBC's website
• The organization La Boussole can provide you with information related to employment and settlement.
• RésoSanté is a directory with more than 1,000 Francophone health professionals in British Columbia
• If you come from Quebec, the provincial health authority has published a document explaining the steps to follow in order to join MSP, the public insurance system in BC. 
• The Federation of Francophones of British Columbia publishes an annual directory of Francophone and Francophile professionals and services in the province

Click here to learn more about French life in British Columbia.

No. PIFCB is unfortunately not empowered to provide advice relating to the options and procedures to immigrate to Canada.

To find out how to immigrate to Canada:

• Visit the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where you will find all the information available on immigration programs and procedures to follow. 
• Use the tool Come to Canada to determine what immigration programs you are eligible for. 
• You may also use the services of a private immigration consultant who will represent you in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Such professionals are allowed to advise you and support you in your immigration application.

You may also wish to consider various options available to you for settling in British Columbia:

-An application for permanent residency is made:

• at the federal level by creating a profile in the Express Entry pool (which requires some preliminary steps, such as passing one or more language examinations and evaluating your credentials;
• at the provincial level, through the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) of British Columbia );

or:

- A request for a temporary work permit . It could be:

• A licensed working holiday (PVT) if you are under 35 years of age;
• A closed work permit that ties you to your employer;
• The Francophone Mobility Program, which became effective in June 2016

While French is one of the two official languages in Canada, British Columbia is an Anglophone province. Most services, businesses and infrastructure (public transport, urban displays, etc.) use only English as the language of communication.

English is primarily spoken in British Columbia and as such, you must be prepared to speak and understand the language in order to go shopping, take public transportation and to pass interview processes. If you are a permanent resident, you may benefit from free English classes (write us  to find out more on this topic).

However, it is estimated that British Columbia has about 300,000 Francophones and Francophiles. Therefore, it is possible to make French-speaking friends! In addition, many organizations and associations provide support to French-speaking residents in their daily lives. They also promote Francophonie throughout British Columbia.

Public services

• Provincial public services, i.e., those under the authority of the province of British Columbia (driver's license, health insurance, hospitals, etc.), are generally offered only in English. You may, however, request to be served in French, which will be accommodated if possible.
• Federal public services, i.e., those under the authority of the Government of Canada (Revenue Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Jobs Canada, etc.) provide assistance in French.

Francophone organizations

• A wide range of organizations and community associations are working to promote Francophonie throughout the province. Visit the Federation of Francophones of British Columbia in order to find out about these organizations.

Education

• There are Francophone schools and French immersion institutions in many cities and regions in British Columbia. Visit the Francophone School Board of BC to learn more.
• Educacentre College offers college level courses in French.
• Simon Fraser University (SFU), through its Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs offers several university programs in French.

Health

• RésoSanté maintains a directory listing over 1,000 French-speaking professionals throughout the province.

Francophone professionals

• The Federation of Francophones of British Columbia publishes an annual directory of Francophone and Francophile professionals and services in the province.
• The British Columbia Economic Development Association supports entrepreneurs and can help you if you wish to work for yourself.
• The Vancouver Francophone Chamber of Commerce supports businesses and Francophone entrepreneurs in the Greater Vancouver Area.

You must join British Colombia’s public health insurance plan, called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP insurance covers the costs of various medical expenses. For more information on this topic, visit our Health page.

For more on this topic, visit our Transportation page.