The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is a one-of-a-kind immigration opportunity for international entrepreneurs with the financial means and expertise needed to start a new business in Quebec. These successful candidates are granted permanent residency in Canada.
According to the Quebec Immigration Ministry, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), entrepreneurs seeking permanent residence in Quebec must be at least 18 years old and run a business that meets the Entrepreneur Program’s standards. Although candidates can earn bonus points for knowing French, it is not essential to apply to the program. Nonetheless, while selecting applications, language proficiency may be factored into the equation.
All applicants for the Quebec Entrepreneur Program must submit a business plan and show that they intend to live in Quebec. Quebec entrepreneur applicants will be required to attend a selection interview following the first review of their application. The final phase in the application process for the Quebec Entrepreneur Program is the selection interview.
Two streams through which Entrepreneurs interested in relocating to Quebec can apply
Stream One is for new enterprises or startups that have been created in the province with the help of a business incubator, accelerator, or university. Owner-funded and managed companies comprise Stream Two.
Stream 1
Stream 1 requires you reside in Québec to start and run a business. You can work on your project independently or collaborate with up to three other international citizens who have applied for permanent acceptance as entrepreneurs for the same project.
You must acquire an attestation of learning about democratic ideals and Québec values by the specified date. Your accompanying family members (your spouse, who must be 16 years old or older, and your dependent children, who must be 18 years old or older) must also acquire the attestation. Your company concept must be presented in the form of a business plan and a service proposal.
Stream 2
In stream 2, you must receive an attestation of understanding about democratic ideals and Québec values by the specified date. Your accompanying family members (your spouse, who must be 16 years old or older, and your dependent children, who must be 18 years old or older) must also acquire the attestation.
If you decide to start a company, you must own and control at least 25% of the company’s equity capital. You must possess and control at least 51 percent of a company’s equity capital if you decide to buy it. To start, buy, or run a business, you must first settle in Québec.
You should have a net worth of at least CAD 900,000, either be single or with your partner, and you must be able to show that this money was legitimately earned. Your project must be presented in the shape of a business proposal.
What other alternatives are there for businesses looking to immigrate to Canada?
For entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Canada, there are numerous immigration alternatives available. For skilled foreign entrepreneurs who have obtained the backing of a designated Canadian business group, the Start-up Visa Program is a great alternative. In addition, several Canadian provinces, except Quebec, have entrepreneurial immigration schemes under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), among which Ontario and British Columbia are two popular entrepreneurial PNP programs.