Québec runs its own free French courses for newcomers, separate from the federal language classes elsewhere in Canada. The provincial government, through its Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), publishes the eligibility rules, course formats, application steps and financial help on quebec.ca. This article summarises those pages as they stood when last updated in June and July 2026. It covers Québec only; the federal LINC and CLIC classes are covered in the site’s piece on free English and French classes in Canada. Amounts below are in Canadian dollars, are the figures the pages state, and can change, so they should be confirmed with MIFI. This is general information.
Who can enrol
The admission pages say full-time and part-time courses are for people who meet three conditions: their place of birth is outside Canada, they are 16 or older, and they live in Québec. People who are working or studying temporarily in Québec can also apply for courses and, under certain conditions, financial assistance, but must meet the conditions tied to their immigration status. The pages warn that failing to do so can mean losing status or being refused entry, and direct readers to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. For international students, the full-time page says registration in a programme of study recognised by the Government of Canada is mandatory, that the programme must be the main occupation, and that daytime availability from Monday to Friday is needed.
What the courses cover
The courses teach the uses of French in everyday life and focus on life in Québec, including the labour market, culture and values. Levels are beginner and intermediate as measured on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Québec Scale of French Proficiency Levels). Beginner covers levels 1 to 4, with examples such as gathering information before buying food, consulting a healthcare professional and finding and renting accommodation. Intermediate covers levels 5 to 8, with examples such as writing a cover letter, discussing current events and finding out about regional economic activities. An assessment test may be needed, lasting 15 to 60 minutes depending on level, spoken and if necessary written. The courses are free, with no admission or tuition fees, although a small fee may be charged for educational material, certain activities or cultural outings. For CEFR comparisons in general, see the site’s guide to CEFR levels A1 to C2.
Full-time or part-time
- Full-time: in class or, if needed, at a distance, five days a week from Monday to Friday, 25 to 30 hours per week, with a session generally lasting 10 weeks. A course is offered wherever the student lives in Québec, in universities, cégeps, community organisations or school service centres and school boards, with a location suggested from education level, preferred location where possible and site availability.
- Part-time: in class or, if needed, at a distance, during the day or evening, on weekdays or weekends, for 6, 9, 12, 16 or 20 hours a week with some exceptions, and a session generally lasting 10 or 11 weeks. Students choose a schedule and campus when applying.
Distance courses require the student to be in Québec. The province also runs online French courses, and the part-time application page says that anyone who wants to start right away could take a fully online course beginning at the intermediate level.
How to apply and how long it takes
For part-time courses the applicant must be available to start when applying, and courses can start at any time of year. The application asks for a document proving immigration status or an individual reference number found on documents such as a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), a Certificate of acceptance from Québec (CAQ), asylum seeker documents or other MIFI correspondence. A Social Insurance Number is needed for childcare assistance, or an Individual Tax Number or Temporary Tax Number if there is no SIN. Applications are made on a French-only online platform where the applicant creates an account, then a new file. The page says courses generally begin within 70 working days if this is the first application for a part-time course, and may begin sooner.
Financial help
Both pages say financial help must be applied for at the start of a session, with 60 days from the start to apply, and that any payments must be declared on annual income tax returns to Revenu Québec and the Canada Revenue Agency, with no tax withheld at source.
- Full-time participation allowance: the page says eligible students could receive $230 per week. Students are not eligible if they already receive certain benefits, such as employment insurance, social assistance or Québec Parental Insurance Plan payments, or if they are refugee claimants. Those who receive it cannot also claim transportation assistance.
- Childcare, full-time: a maximum reimbursement of $25 per learning day for each child needing care, or for disabled dependents.
- Childcare, part-time: $9 for each child needing care to attend a class of three hours or more, provided the student takes at least four hours of French classes a week. Only one parent may claim if both take courses, and it is not paid where the carer is a spouse or family member.
Common questions
Are these courses open to people born in Canada?
The admission conditions on these pages require a place of birth outside Canada.
Is any of this federal?
No. The pages describe provincial Québec government courses run through MIFI.
The bottom line
Québec offers free full-time and part-time French courses for people born outside Canada who are 16 or older and live in Québec, at beginner and intermediate levels 1 to 8 on the provincial scale. Application is online and in French, first-time part-time courses generally start within 70 working days, and financial help depends on circumstances and the type of course. The amounts stated on quebec.ca are the ones to check before applying.
Sources
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Description of full-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Description of part-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Conditions for admission to part-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Conditions for admission to full-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Applying for admission to part-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Financial assistance for full-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)
- Gouvernement du Québec, “Financial assistance for childcare costs for part-time French courses for immigrants” (quebec.ca)