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Quebec Entrepreneur
Summary:
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is designed for immigrant entrepreneurs who wish to establish a new business or acquire and actively manage an existing one in Quebec. Successful applicants may obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which can then be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
This program provides two separate pathways (streams), each with its own requirements. Applicants must submit a detailed business plan along with all required forms through the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec (MIDI).
Stream 1: Business Support Model
To qualify under Stream 1, applicants must plan to settle in Quebec and create a business supported by one of the following organizations:
Business accelerator – Provides financing support and guidance to entrepreneurs growing innovative companies.
Business incubator – Helps entrepreneurs develop and launch innovative businesses.
University entrepreneurship centre – Offers coaching and mentorship through a Quebec university.
Applicants may apply alone or with up to three other foreign nationals. The supporting organization must provide a service offer outlining:
A support plan (list and description of services offered).
An operating plan (budget and schedule of activities).
Proof of expertise in supporting entrepreneurs.
Stream 2: Business Creation or Acquisition
Applicants choosing Stream 2 must establish or acquire a business in Quebec and manage its operations. Two deposits are required:
Security deposit – CAD $200,000, refunded once the business plan is successfully executed.
Startup deposit – CAD $300,000 for businesses in Montreal, or CAD $200,000 for those outside Montreal.
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Eligibility Requirements:
Net assets of at least CAD $900,000 (alone or with a spouse/common-law partner).
Submit a complete business plan.
Ownership requirements:
New business – at least 25% ownership of equity capital.
Acquired business – at least 51% ownership of equity capital.
The business must not operate in restricted sectors (e.g., payday loans, cheque cashing, pawnbroking, real estate development, real estate/insurance brokerage, or production/distribution of sexually explicit content).
Acquired businesses must have been in operation for at least five years before the application.
Applications are also assessed on additional factors such as:
Age
Language ability (French proficiency is highly valued)
Education and training background
Financial self-sufficiency
Previous visits to Quebec
Family connections in Quebec
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I’m Rashid Ali, a Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, having a designation of RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) from the College of Citizenship & Immigration Consultants of Canada or CICC (Previously known as ICCRC). CICC is the official regulator of immigration consultants in Canada. I’m also a member of the Canadian Association for Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).
