With two dynamic and vibrant cities in Montreal and Quebec City, the province of Quebec has long been an attractive destination for those seeking to set up a new business or take an existing one to the next level. As in many other Canadian provinces and territories, there are a number of business-focused immigration programs in Quebec offering opportunities to entrepreneurs looking to do business in this majority French-speaking province.
Quebec’s business immigration programs fit broadly into one of three categories:
- Investor
- Entrepreneur
- Self-employed worker
Quebec Investor Program
In order to qualify to immigrate to Quebec as a foreign investor, you should:
- be prepared to make a minimum five-year term investment of CAD $1,000,000 plus a contribution of CAD $200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs inc.
- have made an investment agreement with a qualifying intermediary in Quebec
- have a minimum of two years’ management experience within the last five years
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $2,000,000
- be able to speak French to at least NCLC Level 7
- intend to stay in Quebec for at least 12 months (6 months if your spouse or partner accompanies you and also stays for 6 months)
The application fee for the Quebec Investor Program is CAD $17,875 regardless of whether you are applying just for yourself or including a spouse and/or dependent children.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
There are three Quebec Entrepreneur Program streams available to individuals looking to start or buy a business in Quebec, depending on the precise nature of their venture and their degree of involvement in its purchase or establishment.
Applicants for any of these streams must meet the following general conditions:
- be aged 18 or over
- hold at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- able to speak French to at least NCLC Level 7
- able to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for at least the first three months of your residence
- intending to work in a business which is not involved in payday loans, cashing cheques, pledge loans, property trading or development, or the adult work industry
Stream 1 of Quebec’s Entrepreneur Program is for those involved in starting or buying an ‘innovative business’. To qualify, you should:
- intend to settle in Quebec permanently in order to start or grow an innovative company
- have the formal support of an organisation specalizing in support for innovative businesses
- be funding at least 10% of the business
- be starting the business with no more than three other people
Stream 2 of Quebec’s Entrepreneur Program is for those who are starting or purchasing a business in Quebec which might not be classifiable as an ‘innovative business’. To qualify on the basis of your intention to start a business, you should:
- have a minimum of two years’ management experience in the last five years
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000
- intend to start or buy your business with no more than three other people
- be funding at least 25% of the business
- intend to invest CAD $300,000 for businesses in and around Montreal, or CAD $150,000 for businesses elsewhere in Quebec
If you have already started a business at least one year ago and are applying for the ‘Already started company profile’ of this stream, you should:
- have been living in Quebec for at least two years
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $300,000
- hold a stake of at least 25% in your business
- have a business plan outlining your plans for the ongoing operation and growth of the business
Stream 3 of Quebec’s Entrepeneur Program is targeted at people who intend to acquire or have already acquired a business in Quebec. If you wish to move to Quebec to complete a planned takeover, in order to qualify for this stream you should:
- be intending to take over a business in Quebec which has been operating for at least five years
- be intending to take over the business alone or with your spouse/common-law partner
- any other business partners you may have are not permitted to control the business
- intend to spend at least CAD $300,000 for businesses in and around Montreal, or CAD $150,000 for a business elsewhere in Quebec
- have the formal support of an organization which supports business takeovers in Quebec
- be able to demonstrate your intent and ability to complete the takeover within two years of your application
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000
If your takeover has already taken place and you want to apply on the basis of an ‘Acquired Company’, you should:
- have been living in Quebec for at least two years
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $300,000
- have taken over the business alone or with your spouse/common-law partner
- have the formal support of an organization which supports business takeovers in Quebec
Applications for all three streams of the Quebec Entrepreneur Program cost CAD $1,246 plus CAD $197 for any spouse/partner and/or any dependent children.
Quebec Self-employed Worker Program
Self-employed individuals may also be able to live and work in Quebec on the basis of conducting their own trade. To qualify for this program, you should:
- have a minimum of two years’ work experience in your profession within the last five years
- for regulated professions, have any necessary professional license or registration (or be able to demonstrate that you have applied for this)
- not be intending to practice your trade or profession in an ineligible sector, such as payday loans, cashing cheques, pledge loans, property trading or development, or the adult work industry
- have a minimum net worth of CAD $100,000
- be able to make a ‘start-up deposit’ of CAD $50,000 (within Montreal) or CAD $25,000 (outside Montreal)
- be able to sign a commitment to support yourself financially for the first three months of your stay in Quebec
- have at least a Canadian high school diploma or recognised international equivalent
- be able to speak French to at least NCLC Level 7
Applications for the Self-Employed Worker Program cost CAD $1,246 plus CAD $197 for any spouse/partner and/or any dependent children.