Quebec Business Immigration Programs

Quebec Investor Program

The Quebec Investor Program is designed for qualified investors who want to settle in Quebec and make a prescribed investment through an authorized financial intermediary.

Current key requirements:

• Investment agreement with an authorized financial intermediary
• At least 2 years of management experience acquired within the 5 years before the application
• Minimum net worth of CAD $2,000,000
• Lawful origin and accumulation of net worth
• Minimum education equivalent to a Quebec secondary school diploma, vocational studies diploma, attestation of vocational specialization, or certificate of college studies
• Spoken French at minimum level 7 on Quebec's French proficiency scale
• Attestation of learning about democratic values and Quebec values
• Five-year term investment of CAD $1,000,000
• Financial contribution of CAD $200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs inc.
• Required stay in Quebec after work permit issuance

This program is not a simple "pay and get PR" route. It requires French, management experience, lawful source-of-funds evidence, a Quebec selection process, investment through a financial intermediary, and compliance with Quebec residence conditions.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is for applicants who want to settle in Quebec to start, acquire, or operate a business. Quebec currently identifies entrepreneur options including business start-up and already-started business profiles.

Business Start-up Profile

For applicants who want to settle in Quebec and start a business.

Typical requirements:

• Minimum age of 18
• Education equivalent to at least a Quebec secondary school or certain vocational/college-level credentials
• Spoken French at minimum level 7
• Financial self-sufficiency commitment
• Business must not be in an ineligible sector
• At least 2 years of business management experience in the 5 years before application
• Minimum net worth of CAD $600,000
• Business plan submitted with the application
• Start-up or operating expenses of at least CAD $300,000 if the business is in the Montreal Metropolitan Area
• Start-up or operating expenses of at least CAD $150,000 if the business is outside the Montreal Metropolitan Area
• Contribution to the original capital of the business of at least 25% of the business value

Already Started Company Profile

For applicants already living in Quebec who started a company at least one year ago and want to settle permanently in Quebec to run that business.

Typical requirements:

• Applicant must have lived in Quebec for at least 2 years while authorized to work
• Minimum net worth of CAD $300,000
• At least 25% stake in the paid-in capital of the business
• Business plan submitted with the application
• Compliance with general program requirements, including French and education requirements

Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program is for applicants who want to settle in Quebec and practise their profession or trade independently.

Typical requirements:

• Intention to practise a profession in Quebec, alone or with others, with or without paid help
• At least 2 years of self-employed work experience in the profession within the 5 years before application
• If the profession is regulated in Quebec, authorization to practise or proof of recognition of training or diploma equivalence may be required
• Minimum net worth of CAD $100,000
• Lawful origin and accumulation of net worth
• Minimum education equivalent to a Quebec secondary school or certain vocational/college-level credentials
• Spoken French at minimum level 7
• Business or professional activity must not be in an ineligible sector

May be suitable for professionals, tradespeople, consultants, and independent service providers who can genuinely establish themselves as self-employed workers in Quebec.

French Language Requirement

French is central to Quebec business immigration. Unlike many provincial entrepreneur streams where English may be sufficient, Quebec business programs generally require spoken French at a specified level. For the Investor Program, Entrepreneur Program, and Self-Employed Worker Program, Quebec currently refers to spoken French corresponding to at least level 7 on Quebec's French proficiency scale.

For many applicants, French ability is the deciding factor. A strong Quebec business immigration strategy should assess language readiness early, before spending time and money on business planning.

Quebec Values Requirement

Quebec requires applicants and certain accompanying family members to obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Quebec values once the file is opened. The request is sent after file opening and the applicant generally has 60 days to obtain the attestation. This should be treated as part of the compliance strategy, not as a minor administrative step.

Active Management and Business Reality

For entrepreneur and self-employed applicants, Quebec expects real business or professional activity.

A strong application should show: Relevant business ownership, management, or professional experience; lawful and documented source of funds; a practical Quebec business or professional plan; French-language readiness; settlement intention in Quebec; understanding of Quebec's market, culture, and regulatory environment; clear evidence of active involvement in the business or profession; consistency between the applicant's background, proposed activity, and Quebec requirements.

Quebec Business Immigration Process

Step 1 - Program Assessment: The applicant's profile is reviewed against Quebec's Investor, Entrepreneur, or Self-Employed Worker Program requirements.

Step 2 - French and Eligibility Review: French ability, education, management experience, net worth, source of funds, and settlement intention are assessed before selecting the pathway.

Step 3 - Business or Investment Strategy: For entrepreneurs and self-employed applicants, the business or professional plan is developed. For investors, the investment structure and financial intermediary process must be considered.

Step 4 - Quebec Application: Submit the required application for permanent selection to Quebec, with forms, supporting documents, financial evidence, language evidence, and business or investment materials.

Step 5 - Quebec Review and CSQ Stage: Quebec reviews the application and may request additional documents or an interview. If the applicant meets the program conditions, Quebec may issue a notice of intention to select or a CSQ depending on the program stage.

Step 6 - Federal Permanent Residence: After receiving the CSQ, the applicant applies to IRCC for permanent residence and must satisfy federal admissibility requirements.

Why Choose Quebec for Business Immigration

Quebec may be attractive for entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed professionals who have a genuine interest in settling in a French-speaking province with a distinct legal, linguistic, cultural, and business environment.

Quebec offers business opportunities in: Montreal and surrounding metropolitan markets; technology and digital services; professional and consulting services; food services and hospitality; manufacturing and light industrial businesses; import-export and distribution; retail and owner-operated businesses; construction-related services; health, wellness, and personal services; creative, cultural, and professional self-employed activities.

Major Business Centres in Quebec

Main Business Centres: Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Lévis, Terrebonne.

Regional Opportunities: Drummondville, Granby, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Brossard, Repentigny, Blainville, Saint-Hyacinthe, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or.

Our Quebec Business Immigration Services

Related Business Immigration Services

• ➤ Business Immigration Canada
• ➤ BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
• ➤ Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration
• ➤ Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway
• ➤ PEI Work Permit Stream
• ➤ Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
• ➤ New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream
• ➤ Newfoundland and Labrador International Entrepreneur
• ➤ Yukon Business Nominee Program
• ➤ Northwest Territories Business Stream