Quebec Business and Investor Immigration

Through the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, the province of Quebec gives permanent residency to individuals with business experience who are willing to make an investment in Canada – this is intended to boost the Canadian economy and create jobs.

This program is the sole option for business immigrants to gain permanent residence status from passive investment. It requires candidates to have at least a C$2 million net worth, alone or with a spouse, acquired legally more than 6 months before applying.

Candidates must also have at least 2 years of acceptable management business experience within the past 5 years (note: successful candidates do not need to establish or manage their own business in Canada). To possess this experience, applicants must have been involved in the planning, management and control of the financial, human or material resources of a business. Acceptable management experience in these businesses will qualify:

  • Farming, commercial or industrial business
  • Professional business (if business has staff of at least 2 full-time employees, other than the applicant)
  • International agency
  • Government, including its departments and agencies

Accepted applicants must invest C$1.2 million in a prescribed, government guaranteed investment for 5 years and intend to settle in the province of Quebec. After 5 years, the investor will be reimbursed for their loan within 30 days, without interest.

Applicants who meet the criteria above will also be assessed according to the following factors:

  • Age
  • Education
  • Work experience
  • Language proficiency (French)

Immigration Quebec has a designated program for individuals seeking to reside in the province of Quebec and purchase, invest in or create a business in Quebec. In order to qualify for this program, the applicant will have to demonstrate the following:

  • A minimum C$900,000 net worth, alone or with a spouse
  • You must use the startup deposit to set up your business. The required amount is lower (C$200,000) if you set up your business outside the Montréal metropolitan area (CMM). A startup deposit of C$300,000 is required if the business is located in the CMM.
  • The security deposit of C$200,000 serves as insurance that your business will actually be created. It will be refunded when you demonstrate that your business plan has been carried out.
  • At least two years of full-time business management experience alone or with spouse in a business where the applicant controls at least 25% of the equity, within past 5 years 

For the work experience to qualify, the entrepreneur must have had duties and responsibilities related to the planning, management and control of resources (human, financial & material). The applicant must have dedicated all their working time to management duties.

The applicant must have the intention to purchase or set up a new business venture in Quebec. The applicant must present a business plan explaining how they will manage and operate a business. If you choose to create a business, you must own and control at least 25% of its equity capital. If you choose to acquire a business, you must own and control at least 51% of its equity capital.

 It is important to note that this Quebec business immigration program’s minimum investment is significantly lower than any of the other provincial Canadian immigration programs for entrepreneurs. The plan must describe how the agricultural, commercial or industrial business venture will employ at least one other resident of Quebec, besides the applicant and the family members included on their application. This position created for a Quebec resident must be on a full-time and permanent basis (minimum 30 hours per week).

Applicants who meet the criteria above will also be assessed according to the following factors:

  • Age
  • Education
  • Work experience, besides business management experience
  • Language proficiency (advanced intermediate oral and written French is required)
  • Personal suitability
  • Knowledge of the province of Quebec
  • Visits to Quebec
  • Family in Quebec