Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Quebec’s Business Stream Pathway

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is a government initiative that aims to attract and retain entrepreneurs who wish to start or acquire a business in the province of Quebec. The program is part of the larger Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, which seeks to encourage the immigration of business people to Quebec and support the economic development of the province.

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program provides a pathway to permanent residency in Canada for eligible entrepreneurs and their families. To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet certain requirements related to net worth, business experience, investment, and language proficiency.

To immigrate to Canada under the Quebec Entrepreneur program there are two pathways.

Starting and operating an innovative business

Requirements:

• You must settle in Québec to start and operate an innovative business.
• You must have obtained a service offer from a support organization such as,
  • Business accelerator: is a Québec-based company that provides support services to individuals whose business ideas aim to create innovative firms. It must, in particular, provide a service for obtaining finance.
  • Business incubator: a company with a location in Quebec that provides coaching services to individuals whose business initiatives are intended to launch innovative business enterprises.
  • University entrepreneurship center: an organization governed by an institution of higher learning incorporated under the laws of Québec or another province of Canada. It might also be an entity associated with such an institution that provides coaching to entrepreneurs.
• The service offer must include:
  • The proposed support plan
  • The operational plan
  • A description of the support organization’s expertise
• You must have a business plan.
• You must obtain enough points in the program’s selection grid.
• You must obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Québec values

Start a new business or acquire an existing one

Requirements:

• Settle in Quebec to start or acquire a business- You must intend to operate this business.
• Have a minimum net worth – You must have a net worth of at least CAD 900,000. This net worth might be shared with a spouse or common-law partner who is joining you to Québec. You must be able to prove your net worth’s legitimate source.
• Submit a business plan.
• Own and control a portion of the equity in the business.
  • If starting a business – you must own and control at least 25% of the equity in the business.
  • If acquiring a business – you must own and control at least 51% of the equity in the business.
• Manage the business – You must manage the business and be actively involved in its day-to-day operations.
• Acquire a business that has been in operation for at least five years
• If you are acquiring a business, it must have been in operation for at least five years before the date of your application.
• Obtain enough points in the selection grid. You must score at least 51 out of 95 points on the grid to meet the cut-off.
• Obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Québec values

Once an application is approved, the entrepreneur will receive a work permit, which will allow them to start their business in Quebec. After a period of time, the entrepreneur may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada, subject to meeting certain conditions.