Francisation Québec: Free French Courses in 2026

French in Montréal: what the numbers say

According to the Office québécois de la langue française, the proportion of people who speak French most often at home in the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA) fell from 65.9% in 2016 to 63.8% in 2021. On the island of Montréal, it stood at 48.3% in 2021 ^[1]. Our article on the linguistic demographics of Québec and Montréal examines these data in greater detail.

For a newcomer or founder, the implications are practical: a substantial share of customers, suppliers and potential employees expect to be served in French. The government points out that communicating in French enables people to participate fully in Québec society, including the labour market ^[2]. Publicly offered courses are free, and the range is broader than you might think.

Francisation Québec: a single point of access since June 1, 2023

Since June 1, 2023, Francisation Québec, established within the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI), has been the single point of access to government French-learning services. At that time, services were extended beyond immigrants to people born in Canada and living in Québec, as well as businesses and their staff, with classes available in person, remotely, online and in the workplace ^[3].

Today, courses are free for anyone aged 16 or older who lives in Québec and is not subject to compulsory school attendance, as well as for people planning to settle in Québec. Financial assistance may also be available under certain conditions ^[2].

Who is eligible

Here are the essentials, as of October 2026.

For temporary residents, Québec.ca warns that failing to comply with the conditions of your status may lead to its loss or a subsequent refusal of entry. An international student must first be enrolled in a program recognized by the Government of Canada, which must remain their main activity ^[4]. For a temporary worker, the rule is therefore simple: a work permit is sufficient, and the conditions to be met are listed on the permit itself.

The four types of courses

Source: Learning French (Québec.ca).

• Full time. Courses focused on life in Québec (the labour market, culture, values), offered at universities, CEGEPs, community organizations and school service centres. The beginner stage covers levels 1 to 4 of the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français, and the intermediate stage covers levels 5 to 8 ^[6].
• Part time. The most realistic option when you are working: weekday evening classes, or classes on Saturday or Sunday, with your schedule chosen when you apply ^[7].
• Specialized. Fields available to immigrants include: administration, law and business; accounting and finance; cooking and restaurant services; sales and service support; and information and communications technology. Offered in person, remotely or in a hybrid format, depending on the field ^[8].

There are no application fees or tuition fees, but you may have to pay a small amount for materials or outings ^[6].

Financial assistance: amounts in effect in October 2026

The assistance is intended for immigrants.

Sources: assistance, full time; assistance, part time (the same $9 amount appears on the specialized courses page); online courses.

Exclusions. The $230 allowance is not paid if you already receive, among other things, employment insurance, social assistance or social solidarity benefits, CNESST compensation, RQAP benefits or SAAQ compensation. Asylum seekers and members of a diplomatic or consular corps are also excluded. The benefit recipients concerned may receive transportation assistance instead, unless the course is delivered remotely. For care assistance, the caregiver cannot be your spouse or a family member, and only one of the two parents can receive assistance ^[9].

Taxes and deadline. The amounts are taxable: you receive tax slips, and nothing is withheld at source. Apply for assistance at the start of the session; the deadline is 60 days after it begins (same source).

Illustrative example. An eligible immigrant takes a 10-week full-time session and pays for childcare for one child every class day. Allowance: 10 × $230 = $2,300. Childcare: up to $25 × 5 days × 10 weeks = $1,250, based on actual expenses. Since nothing is withheld at source, these amounts are added to your taxable income for the year: set some money aside for the tax payable when you file your returns.

How to enrol, step by step

Courses can start at any time of year.

1. Choose your course format. For full-time courses, you must be available Monday to Friday, between 8h and 16h30 ^[10].
2. Gather your documents. Immigrants: a document proving your status or your individual reference number (found on the CSQ or CAQ, among other documents). For financial assistance: your SIN or, if you do not have one, a CRA ITN or TTN (same source). People born in Canada: a Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of citizenship by descent.
3. Complete the online application. For part-time courses, create an account on the Apprendre le français platform (your Arrima login credentials work), then click « Créer un nouveau dossier » ^[11]. For full-time courses, immigrants use the form linked on the admissions page. You can save your application and finish it later.
4. Choose your location and schedule. A map in the form identifies institutions near your postal code. The training location or a support organization can help you (same source).
5. Apply for financial assistance in the same form by answering « Oui » to the relevant question.
6. Take the assessment, if required: a 15- to 60-minute interview, oral and sometimes written ^[6].
7. Watch your inbox. An initial message confirms eligibility; a second confirms enrolment, the location and the start date. If your application is refused, you can request reconsideration ^[12].

Wait times. For a first application, courses generally start within 50 business days for full-time study and within 70 business days for part-time study (application pages for full-time and part-time courses). Attendance is mandatory: absences that disrupt the class can cost you access to the course or assistance ^[12].

Online and distance courses

• Fully online (immigrants living in Québec, including work or study permit holders, subject to the admission requirements). With tutoring (instructor-led classes, marked assignments; intermediate and advanced stages) or self-study (intermediate stage and modules by field, including administration, law and business). About 6 hours per week, on your own schedule; free, with no financial assistance ^[13].
• Distance learning: some full-time, part-time or specialized courses are delivered in a virtual classroom at fixed times. You must be in Québec to take them ^[7].
• Beginners: while waiting for a course, Québec.ca suggests the free Français en ligne de stade débutant service ^[10].

You need a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone, a good connection, a personal email address and, if needed, headphones. Using a cellphone is discouraged, and Québec.ca notes that a quiet, private space makes learning easier ^[13].

Business leaders and entrepreneurs: training during working hours

If you have employees, two services are available to you, both during paid working hours.

1. French courses in the workplace. Free for eligible businesses. Sessions last 10 weeks, with at least 4 hours per week, in groups of at least six people at the same stage (levels 0 to 7 of the Échelle québécoise), often delivered remotely with employees from several businesses, or in person or in a hybrid format ^[14].

Main requirements: be registered with the Registraire des entreprises (NEQ) and in good standing, have an establishment in Québec, have employees, and release them from their duties and pay them during training. A self-employed person who hires at least one employee is eligible. Business members paid solely in dividends, freelancers and external consultants are excluded ^[15]. A solo founder with no employees therefore uses the individual courses.

A founder who is a salaried employee of their own corporation is eligible. The Programme québécois d'apprentissage du français defines a salaried worker as a person who performs work for an employer in exchange for a salary and is bound by a verbal or written employment contract ^[16]. A corporation is a legal person distinct from its shareholders: if it pays its founder a salary (with source deductions and an RL-1 slip), the founder is an employee of the business, and the corporation has employees. Only a founder paid solely in dividends is excluded. Two practical qualifications: class hours must be paid working hours, and groups must have at least six people at the same stage, which can be arranged through remote classes bringing together several businesses (same source). Participants in workplace courses do not receive individual financial assistance, since they are already being paid for those hours.

Perseverance allowance. A business with fewer than 100 employees that has been operating for at least 12 months can receive $1,200 per worker per session, up to $20,000 per fiscal year, as of October 2026. A business that has not acted on an OQLF notice may be excluded ^[17].

Process. Since July 1, 2026, these courses have been offered by designated public-sector partners. In the Montréal region: Cégep Gérald-Godin, Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île and Cégep Marie-Victorin ^[18]. An advisor from your chosen partner checks your eligibility and helps you submit your application ^[19].

2. Introduction to French in small businesses. For small service businesses (retail, accommodation, food services): free matching, encouragement and mentoring, on site or remotely ^[20]. In Montréal, two partners manage enrolment under their 2025–2028 criteria: the Association des sociétés de développement commercial de Montréal (Dialogue FR, local food service and retail businesses) and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (J'apprends le français, matching with students at the establishment) ^[21]. Among other requirements, the business must have an NEQ, its principal establishment in Québec and at least 12 months of operation ^[22].

How much time to allow

Québec.ca does not promise a timeline for reaching a given level; it all depends on your starting point and attendance. Instead, compare class hours per session (illustrative example):

• Full time: 25 to 30 h × 10 weeks = 250 to 300 hours.
• Part time or specialized, at 6 h: 6 h × 11 weeks = 66 hours.
• Workplace, at the minimum: 4 h × 10 weeks = 40 hours.

Learning is assessed at the end of each session, and results can serve as proof of French proficiency for a Canadian citizenship application ^[12].

Additional resources

Learning French also relates to compliance. The Charter of the French language, amended by Bill 96, imposes obligations concerning signage, contracts and the language of work: see our guide to Bill 96 for businesses and our article on Bill 96 compliance for small businesses. A business referred to courses by the OQLF under section 149 of the Charter is eligible ^[15]. A business that has employed 25 or more people for at least six months must register for the OQLF francization process; for businesses with 5 to 24 people, the OQLF may offer Francisation Québec services, and refusing this offer results in loss of the perseverance allowance ^[17].

The MIFI customer contact centre can be reached at 514 864-9191 (Montréal region) and at 1 877 864-9191 elsewhere in Québec ^[4].

Frequently asked questions

Is a temporary work permit enough?

Yes, if you live in Québec and comply with the conditions of your status. You may also receive financial assistance ^[4].

I was born in Canada. Am I eligible for courses?

Yes, if you are aged 16 or older and live in Québec ^[5]. Financial assistance is described as being reserved for immigrants.

I pay myself a salary through my corporation. Am I eligible for workplace courses?

Yes. A founder who has an employment contract with their corporation and is paid a salary is a salaried worker under the program; only a member paid solely in dividends is excluded. The corporation must release you from your duties and pay you during class hours ^[16].

I am self-employed with no employees. Can I use workplace francization services?

No, this service requires employees. Enrol in part-time, online or specialized courses instead ^[15].

To take a virtual class in a quiet setting, 2727 Coworking offers day passes and workstations at 2727, rue Saint-Patrick, in Griffintown.

Sources

1. Linguistic characteristics of Québec's population in 2021 (OQLF)
2. Learning French (Québec.ca)
3. Launch of Francisation Québec (Québec.ca, June 1, 2023)
4. Admission requirements, full time, immigrants (Québec.ca)
5. Admission requirements, full time, Canadian citizens by birth (Québec.ca)
6. Full-time course description (Québec.ca)
7. Part-time course description (Québec.ca)
8. Description of specialized courses by field of employment (Québec.ca)
9. Financial assistance, full time (Québec.ca)
10. Financial assistance, part time (Québec.ca)
11. Application for admission, full time (Québec.ca)
12. Application for admission, part time (Québec.ca)
13. After submitting your application (Québec.ca)
14. Fully online course description (Québec.ca)
15. Admission requirements, fully online courses (Québec.ca)
16. Français en ligne de stade débutant (Francisation Québec)
17. About French courses in the workplace (Québec.ca)
18. Requirements, French courses in the workplace (Québec.ca)
19. Financial assistance, workplace courses (Québec.ca)
20. Apply for workplace courses (Québec.ca)
21. List of workplace francization partners (Québec.ca)
22. About introductory French in small businesses (Québec.ca)
23. Register a small business for introductory French activities (Québec.ca)
24. Requirements, introductory French in small businesses (Québec.ca)
25. Programme québécois d'apprentissage du français – Francisation Québec Service Offering 2024–2027, 5th edition, July 2026 (MIFI)