Business Immigration
Québec
Popular immigration programs for graduated international students, semi-skilled and skilled workers in the province
Takeover
Entrepreneurs seeking to acquire and operate an existing business in Quebec
Net worth
$300,000 if the business has already been acquired
Excluding gifts received within the past 6 months
Business Acquisition
$300,000 if inside Montreal, for a business that has operated in Quebec for at least 5 years check
Business Support
Graduation
Language
Residency History
Start-up
Experienced entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Québec
Business management experience
Ownership
Net worth
Investment
$300,000 (if located inside Montréal)
Education
Language
Innovative
Entrepreneurs looking to start or operate an innovative project
Education
Language
Ownership
Establish Startup Company
Innovation Organization Support
Operate Innovative Project
Residency History
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.
Process timeline of preparing and reviewing the application
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government
Application submission
Submits the application along with supporting documents to the province when minimum requirements are met.
Receive CSQ Certificate
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
Applicant submits the work permit application to IRCC to start their investment in the province.Submit application within 6 months
Business establishment
Arrive in the province to execute the business plan and fulfill the residency and investment requirements.
1 year in business operation
Get PR Status
PR application is submitted to IRCC. Once approved, the applicant obtains PR status. IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Refund of Deposit
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.
Crucial elements affect the decision
Background elements
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Work and study
Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Important requirements the applicant should note
Immigration Ineligibility
- Business operates in sectors that are ineligible under the program
- Business was acquired within the 5 years before application by a candidate selected under the Québec Entrepreneur Program, or by a group of persons under the same controlling person
Basic requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
Intend to live and settle permanently in Québec
Commit to having sufficient funds to meet the essential needs of yourself and your family for 3 months after obtaining permanent resident status
Business in the process of acquisition
- Acquire a Québec business that has been operating for at least 5 years
- Have a minimum net worth of $600,000, excluding gifts received within the last 6 months
- Spend at least $300,000 on the acquisition if the business is located in the Montréal metropolitan area, or $150,000 outside the Montréal metropolitan area
- Acquire and control the business independently or with your spouse or common-law partner
- Receive support throughout the acquisition process from an organization specialized in business takeovers with an establishment in Québec
- Submit a complete business takeover plan with the immigration application
- May submit the application before making the takeover offer and completing the required acquisition expenses
- Within 2 years after submitting the application, make a takeover offer consistent with the plan and demonstrate that the planned acquisition expenses have been incurred
Acquired business
- Have lived in Québec for at least 2 years and complied with the conditions of your stay
- Have a minimum net worth of $300,000, excluding gifts received within the last 6 months
- Have acquired and control the business independently or with your spouse or common-law partner
- Receive support from an organization specialized in business takeovers with an establishment in Québec
- Submit a complete business takeover plan with the immigration application
Education
- Equivalent to a Québec high school diploma or an eligible full-time vocational or college program of at least 1 year
Language
Minimum NCLC 7 in oral knowledge of French, assessed by 1 of 8 French proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF-Canada)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française(DALF)
- Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
- Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
- Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
- Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
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:
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF-Canada)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française(DALF)
- Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
- Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
- Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
- Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
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:
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCF-Québec)
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF-Canada)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française(DALF)
- Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
- Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
- Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
- Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
