Quebec’s Pathway for Leaders
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program (QEP) is a provincial program designed to attract and retain experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish or acquire a business in Quebec. This program provides a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residency in Quebec while contributing to the province’s economic growth.
To be eligible for the QEP, applicants must have a net worth of at least CAD $300,000, have managerial experience, and commit to investing at least CAD $200,000 in a Quebec-based business. The program also requires candidates to submit a business plan that demonstrates the potential for economic growth and job creation in Quebec.
The QEP offers various benefits to eligible entrepreneurs, including access to funding, a supportive business environment, and access to a talented workforce. Successful applicants and their families can also enjoy the many benefits of living and working in Quebec, such as a high standard of living, affordable education, and a rich cultural heritage.
There are two pathways in this section:
1- Start or operate an innovative business – Immigrate to Québec to start and operate an innovative business in Québec with help from a support organization.
2- Start a new business or acquire an existing one – Immigrate to Québec to start or acquire a business in Québec.
Start or operate an innovative business
Eligibility
To start and operate an innovative business in Québec the applicant must settle in the province. First, the applicant must obtain a service offer from a support organization.
What are support organizations?
What is a service offer?
The company must be able to show that it can assist you with your business endeavor. To do so, the organization must create a service offer that defines the services it wants to provide you in order to complete your project. The service offer allows you to examine the match between your business initiative and the organization’s ability to help you in carrying it out. The resources employed by the support organization must be sufficient and also tailored to the demands of your project.
The service offer must include:
Submitting the business plan
A business plan is required for your company initiative. Your business plan must be submitted along with your immigration application. This will be the primary focus of your application evaluation.
The applicant must obtain enough points in the program’s selection grid.
Your application is evaluated in accordance with the program’s selection criteria, which include the program’s selection grid. On the grid, you are given points for each component and criterion. To satisfy the cut-off for variables and criteria with an elimination threshold, you must score at least 41 out of 85 points on the grid.
The applicant must obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Québec values.
You will receive a request to obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Québec values.
You have 60 days after receiving this request to obtain your attestation.
Start a new business or acquire an existing one
Eligibility
| Criterion | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ownership of the business |
If to start – The applicant must own and control at least 25% of the equity in the business. If to acquire – must own and control at least 51% of the equity in the business. The business must have been in operation for at least five years |
| Business plan |
The applicant must submit a business project in the form of a business plan |
| Managing the business |
The applicant must actively be involved in and manage the day-to-day operations of the business |
| Net worth |
|
| Intention to reside |
The applicant must intend to reside and operate the business in Quebec |
| Points grid |
must score at least 51 out of 95 points on the grid |
| Attestation of learning |
You will receive a request to obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Québec values. You will have a maximum of 60 days after receiving this request to obtain your attestation. |