Banner
All information provided on this website is for general reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We are not responsible for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information. Learn more.

Business Immigration

Québec

Minimum requirements

Popular immigration programs for graduated international students, semi-skilled and skilled workers in the province

Investor pause

Experienced entrepreneurs seeking investment opportunities in any sector in Québec

Investment
$1,000,000 through authorized financial intermediaries
Contribute $200,000 to Investissement Québec
Business management experience
Have 2 years of management experience within the last 5 years
Net worth
$2,000,000 (excluding any financial gifts received in the last 6 months)
Graduation
Equivalent to Québec’s high-school
Language
NCLC 7 for oral knowledge in French
Self-employed

Self-employed expert seeking to live and practice in Québec

Professional experience
2 years of professional experience within the last 5 years
Licence to practise
Only if intending to work in a regulated profession
Startup deposit
$25,000 (outside Montréal) or $50,000 (inside Montréal)
Net worth
$100,000 (excluding any financial gifts in the last 6 months)
Education
Equivalent to Québec’s high-school
Language
NCLC 7 for oral knowledge in French
Entrep - Innovative

Entrepreneurs looking to start or operate an innovative project

Education
Equivalent to Québec’s high-school
Language
NCLC 7 for oral knowledge in French
Ownership
Establish / operate an innovative project independently or partner with up to 3 applicants, holding at least 10% of the business capital
Establish Startup Company
Innovation Organization Support
Secured support from Designated Innovation Organizations in Québec
Operate Innovative Project
Residency History
Reside in Québec for at least 2 years
Entrep - Start-up pilot

Experienced entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Québec

Business management experience
Have 2 years of management experience within the last 5 years
Ownership
Establish a startup independently with 25% ownership of the business capital, or partner with up to 3 applicants
Net worth
$600,000 (excluding any financial gifts received in the last 6 months)
Investment
$150,000 (outside Montréal) or
$300,000 (inside Montréal)
Education
Equivalent to Québec’s high-school
Language
NCLC 7 for oral knowledge in French
Entrep - Established Biz pilot

WP holder with established business seeking permanent residency

Residency History
At least 2 years residing in Québec on a valid work permit
Business Operation
Independently for 1 year with 25% ownership of the business capital, or partner with up to 3 applicants
Net worth
$300,000 (excluding any financial gifts received in the last 6 months)
Education
Equivalent to Québec’s high-school
Language
NCLC 7 for oral knowledge in French

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process.
The candidate may qualify for multiple programs.

Application process

Process timeline of preparing and reviewing the application
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government

Application submission
Stage 1

Submits the application along with supporting documents to the province when minimum requirements are met.

Receive CSQ Certificate
Stage 2

Applicants may attend an interview to verify background information. Once approved, they will receive the Selection Certificate (CSQ).Province reviews in 6 months

Apply work permit
Stage 3

Applicant submits the work permit application to IRCC to start their investment in the province.Submit application within 6 months

Business establishment
Stage 4

Arrive in the province to execute the business plan and fulfill the residency and investment requirements.
1 year in business operation

Get PR Status
Stage 5

PR application is submitted to IRCC. Once approved, the applicant obtains PR status. IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months

Refund of Deposit
Stage 6

Investment completed, the province refunds the initial deposit (if applicable) to the investor without interest.Refund within 30 days

Applicant with work permit expiring within 180 days, who had submitted PR application to IRCC and is maintaining the conditions of nomination may be eligible to receive a work permit support letter from the province to renew their work permit.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Background elements
Settlement fund
Net worth
Age
Language
French
Work experience in Québec
Education
Work experience
Management experience
Admissible
Residential area
Letter from employer
Liquid asset
Field study in Canada
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Investment value
Business proposal
Job offer
Education in Canada
Investment region
Occupation in Canada
Residential area
Exploratory Visit

Entitlement

Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children

Work and study
Work and study

Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program

Medical
Medical

Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian

Education
Education

Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education

Benefits
Benefits

Access to social benefits as same as Canadian

Mobility right
Mobility right

Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status

Sponsorship
Sponsorship

Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met

Naturalization
Naturalization

Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met

Specific requirements

Important requirements the applicant should note

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Will work in payday loans, cheque cashing or pawnbroking
  • Will work in the production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products
  • Will work in services related to the sex industry

Basic requirements

  • Intention and ability to settle in Québec
  • 2 years of management experience within the last 5 years
  • A minimum net worth of $2,000,000 is required, any financial gifts received within the last 6 months cannot be included

Investment requirements

  • Make a 5-year term investment of $1,000,000 through an authorized financial intermediaries
  • Contribute $200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs Inc
  • The investment of $1,000,000 is government-guaranteed, and will be refunded after 5 years without interest

Business requirements

  • Must physically reside in Québec for at least 12 months within 2 years of obtaining a work permit.
  • The applicant must personally reside in Québec for a minimum of 6 months
List of authorized financial intermediaries
  • Arton Investments – 1, Westmount Square, bureau 1110, Montréal (Québec) H3Z 2P9
  • AURAY Capital Canada inc. – 600, rue De la Gauchetière Ouest, bureau 2740, Montréal (Québec) H3B 4L8
  • Sherbrooke Street Capital (SSC) Inc. – 4749, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal (Québec) H4C 1S9
  • Dubeau Capital – 5700, boulevard des Galeries, bureau 440, Québec (Québec) G2K 0H5
  • iA Private Wealth inc. – 2200, avenue McGill College, bureau 350, Montréal (Québec) H3A 3P8
  • Société de fiducie Blue Bridge inc. – 1000, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, bureau 1900, Montréal (Québec) H3A 3G4
  • Trust Eterna inc. – 2000, avenue McGill College, bureau 2210, Montréal (Québec) H3A 3H3
  • Valeurs mobilières Peak inc. – 2000, rue Mansfield, bureau 1800, Montréal (Québec) H3A 3A6

Education

Equivalent to Québec's high-school

Language

Accompanying spouse must have at least NCLC 4 in spoken knowledge of French

Minimum NCLC 7 in oral knowledge of French, assessed by 1 of 8 French proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Will work in payday loans, cheque cashing or pawnbroking
  • Will work in the production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products
  • Will work in services related to the sex industry
  • Trading, leasing, brokerage, development or planning in the property sector

Basic requirements

  • 18 years old or older
  • Intention and ability to settle in Québec

Education

Equivalent to Québec's high-school

Startup of an Innovative Company

  • Secure a service offer from a recognized innovation organization in Québec to support your project (e.g., training, mentoring, or financing)
  • Establish the business alone or with up to 3 applicants under this Entrepreneur Program
  • Contribute at least 10% of the business’s original capital, either individually or with your spouse included in the application
  • Submit a comprehensive business plan detailing your project with your application

Carrying Out an Innovative Project

  • Physically live in Québec for at least 2 years before applying for a work permit
  • Operate the business alone or with up to 3 applicants under this Entrepreneur Program
  • Own at least 10% of the business capital, either individually or with your spouse/partner
  • Submit a comprehensive business plan detailing your project with your application

Language

Accompanying spouse must have at least NCLC 4 in spoken knowledge of French

Minimum NCLC 7 in oral knowledge of French, assessed by 1 of 8 French proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Will work in payday loans, cheque cashing or pawnbroking
  • Will work in the production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products
  • Will work in services related to the sex industry
  • Trading, leasing, brokerage, development or planning in the property sector

Basic requirements

  • 18 years old or older
  • Intention and ability to settle in Québec

Establish a Start-up

  • At least 2 years of management experience within the last 5 years
  • A minimum net worth of $600,000 (excluding any financial gifts in the last 6 months)
  • Invest at least $300,000 (inside Montréal) or $150,000 (outside Montréal)
  • Will physically live in Québec at least 12 months within 2 years of receiving a work permit
  • Within 2 years of receiving a work permit, establish the business alone or with up to 3 applicants under this program
  • Contribute at least 25% of the business’s capital (partners must also hold a 25% equity stake)
  • Submit a comprehensive business plan detailing your project with your application

Operate an Established Start-up

  • Have been living in Québec for at least 2 years under valid work permit
  • Have a minimum net worth of $300,000 (excluding any financial gifts in the last 6 months)
  • Have started the business at least 1 year ago and established it either alone or with up to 3 applicants under this Entrepreneur Program
  • Contribute at least 25% of the business’s capital, individually or with your spouse (partners must also hold 25% equity stakes)
  • Submit a comprehensive business plan detailing your project with your application

Education

Equivalent to Québec's high-school

Language

Accompanying spouse must have at least NCLC 4 in spoken knowledge of French

Minimum NCLC 7 in oral knowledge of French, assessed by 1 of 8 French proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Will work in payday loans, cheque cashing or pawnbroking
  • Will work in the production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products
  • Will work in services related to the sex industry
  • Trading, leasing, brokerage, development or planning in the property sector

Basic requirements

  • 18 years old or older
  • Intention and ability to settle in Québec
  • A minimum net worth of $100,000 (excluding any financial gifts in the last 6 months)
  • 2 years of professional experience within the last 5 years
  • License to practice is required for regulated occupations in Québec
  • Make a start-up deposit of $50,000 (Montréal area) or $25,000 (outside Montréal)

Education

Equivalent to Québec's high-school

Language

Accompanying spouse must have at least NCLC 4 in spoken knowledge of French

Minimum NCLC 7 in oral knowledge of French, assessed by 1 of 8 French proficiency tests within the last 2 years: