Quebec Entrepreneur Immigration Program for Canada

Quebec is one of Canada's largest provinces on the northwest side of Canada. It is known for being a culturally enriched, immigrant-friendly, and vibrant province of Canada. 

Quebec is not a part of the Canada PNP program, and it has a separate set of immigration programs, including the Quebec entrepreneur program Canada, which operates separately from the federal and provincial nominee programs. 

Quebec has complete autonomy over its immigration program because of the Quebec-Canada Accord, signed in 1991, which offers special status to Quebec. 

The entrepreneur program may be the key to countless opportunities for entrepreneurs relocating to Quebec. With the help of this visa program, overseas entrepreneurs can open their businesses in Quebec.  

Suppose you want to immigrate to Quebec through this visa program. But if you don’t know much about this, this guide is for you. It will provide complete information about the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, its eligibility criteria, fees, and other necessary details. But before proceeding, let us give you an overview of the Quebec Entrepreneur Program. 

What is the Quebec immigration program? 

The province of Quebec has immigration programs to attract international entrepreneurs. It has an entrepreneur immigration program known as the Quebec Entrepreneur Program (QEP). This program allows entrepreneurs to run a new business or acquire and operate an existing business in the province. 

Benefits of the Quebec entrepreneur program

The Quebec entrepreneur program provides numerous benefits to foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in Canada. 

1. Pathway to permanent residency in Canada 

International entrepreneurs who successfully meet the eligibility criteria of the Quebec entrepreneur immigration program can gain permanent residency in this Canadian province. It will allow the principal candidate to live, work, and study in Quebec permanently. 

2. Business development opportunities 

This visa program allows international entrepreneurs to establish a business in Canada’s most dynamic province and get access to a robust economy, advanced infrastructure, and progressive business environment. 

3. No minimum net worth is required (for a particular stream) 

Under stream 1 of the Quebec immigrant investor program, there is no requirement for minimum net worth. It makes this program more accessible to a broader range of entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. 

4. Streamlined immigration system 

Canada's Quebec entrepreneur program offers a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency, which avoids a traditional express entry system and is way more competitive. 

5. Lower investment requirements (for particular stream) 

Stream 2 of the Quebec entrepreneur immigration program allows international entrepreneurs to apply for this immigration program even with lower investment than federal investment. 

It makes it easier for business owners with fewer resources to participate in this immigration program. However, the investment requirement is 200,000 CAD if the business is set up outside the Montreal Metropolitan area. 

Streams under Quebec entrepreneur immigration program Canada 

The following are two streams under the Quebec entrepreneur immigration program Canada. Each stream has its own set of requirements. 

Stream: 01 

Foreign nationals interested in applying under stream 1 of the entrepreneur program will need to obtain a pass mark of 41 points in all factors of the Quebec economic class selection grid for the immigration program to get selected for the selection.

Candidates in the first stream of the Quebec entrepreneur program can obtain points for factors such as level of education, areas of training, age, French and English language proficiency, and residence and family in Quebec. No additional points are awarded to applicants with a spouse or common-law partner.

To apply for stream 01 of the Quebec entrepreneur program, candidates are required to fulfill the following requirements: 

Stream: 02 

Foreign nationals interested in applying under the second stream of the Quebec entrepreneur program will need to obtain a passing score of 81 points in the 13 factors of the Quebec economic class selection grid to be eligible for the selection.

Candidates in the second stream of the Quebec entrepreneur program receive points for factors such as level of education, areas of training, age, French and English language proficiency, and residence and family in Quebec.

To be eligible for this component, the candidate must settle in Quebec to create a new business or acquire an existing one and manage the company's operations.

Successful applicants will be required to make two financial deposits as part of their application.

• CAD 200,000 security deposit serving as assurance that the business will be established; be reimbursed when the business plan is completed;
• A startup deposit must be used to create the business. The start-up deposit is CAD$300,000 for businesses created in Montreal and CAD$200,000 for businesses created outside Montreal.

Although the applicant may operate the business with a spouse or common-law partner, no additional points are awarded to an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner.

The following is the document checklist required for the Quebec entrepreneur visa program: 

1. Net worth verification report.
2. Business registration license, reference letters, tax registration, proof of shareholding, and business income tax returns.
3. Employment reference letters, employment contracts, and pay slips at the senior managerial level. 
4. Exploratory visit document, business plan draft, proof of business ownership.
5. T4 statements.
6. Education credentials and language proficiency test results.
7. Photographs, passport, family member's passport.
8. Standard Canadian resume.

Quebec entrepreneur program process to apply 

The province of Quebec has a two-step procedure for allowing skilled immigrants to enter Quebec: 

1. Selection (Provincial level) 

Selection is done at the provincial level. All applicants for Quebec immigration must apply to the province of Quebec for a Quebec selection certificate (CSQ). 

2. Admission (Federal level) 

Admission is at the federal level. Once the immigrants get a CSQ certificate, they can apply for Canadian permanent resident status with the federal government. 

As with all applications for permanent residence, applicants must pass a medical examination and a police background check to ensure they are admissible to Canada.

Once an application has been approved at the provincial and federal levels, an applicant becomes a Canadian permanent resident.

• Permanent residency approval:

Once approved at provincial and federal levels, applicants receive Canadian permanent residency.

• Entrepreneur application:

Entrepreneurs must prepare a paper application including the following:

• A Comprehensive business plan.
• Supporting documentation (education, language proficiency, personal wealth, etc.). 

Information about the required forms and documents can be found on the Ministry of immigration and Diversity (MIDI) website.

• Application submission:

Applications must be couriered to the City of Montreal's registration and comparative evaluation department. 

• CSQ issuance:

Entrepreneurs who get their application accepted will acquire their CSQ, enabling them to seek permanent residency.  

Processing time for Quebec entrepreneur visa program 

The processing time of this visa program varies based on the candidate’s unique situation, the type of business they want to start in Quebec, and the workload of the immigration authority. Generally, the processing time of the Quebec entrepreneur visa program can take up to 12-46 months.