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Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is a business immigration pathway that enables foreign entrepreneurs and their families to obtain permanent residency in Canada by establishing, operating, or acquiring a business in the province of Quebec.

 

This program is part of Quebec’s unique immigration regime and is designed to attract experienced business leaders ready to contribute directly to the province’s economy

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Program Benefits

Entrepreneurs accepted through this program and their immediate family members may eventually obtain:

  • Permanent residency in Canada, allowing the entrepreneur and qualifying family members to live and work in Quebec.

  • Access to Canadian social benefits, including healthcare and education.​

  • Spousal work permits and dependent access to services while the business project is being established.

  • The ability to apply for Canadian citizenship once residence requirements are met.

Program Streams

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program has several distinct profiles / streams tailored to different entrepreneur situations:

1

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS (START OR GROW A BUSINESS)

This stream allows an entrepreneur to start a new innovative venture or carry out an innovative project in Quebec. It requires a solid business plan and support from an accredited innovation organization (e.g., incubator or accelerator).

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Key points:

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  • Must present a business plan for an innovative project.

  • Requires support services from an organization specialized in innovation with a physical presence in Quebec.

  • Entrepreneur and up to three collaborators may apply together.

2

BUSINESS START UP OR TAKE OVER

Start-Up (New Business)

Entrepreneurs can establish a new business in Quebec.

Typical requirements include:

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  • Minimum net worth of CAD $600,000 or more, lawfully acquired.

  • At least two years of management experience in business within the past five years.

  • A business plan showing the project’s feasibility and economic impact.

  • Demonstration of meaningful capital contribution to the new business (typically at least 25% equity).

  • Operating capital and expenses spent during a specified period (minimum amounts depend on location)

Already Started Business / Takeover

Entrepreneurs who have already started or acquired a business in Quebec may qualify under this profile.

Key points include:

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  • Ownership of at least 25% of paid-in capital of the business you started, or 51% if acquiring an existing business.

  • Business acquisition costs: typically CAD $300,000 in Montreal or CAD $200,000 outside Montreal.

  • A minimum net worth of CAD $900,000 that can be demonstrated to have been legally earned.

  • Businesses taken over must have been operating for at least five years prior to application and not participated in the program in the last five years.

Eligibility Requirements

General conditions (all-stream) 

To be eligible under the Entrepreneur Program, applicants must:

 

  • Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

  • Hold a minimum level of education equivalent to a secondary school diploma in Quebec.

  • Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency to support themselves and accompanying family members for at least three months after obtaining permanent residence.

  • Conduct business in an eligible sector (not including payday loans, pornography, certain property trading sectors, etc.).

  • Obtain an attestation of learning about Quebec’s democratic values for eligible family members aged 16 or older.

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Specific conditions (By stream) 

Start-Up (New Business)

  • Demonstrate two years of relevant business management experience within the past five years.

  • Maintain a net worth of at least CAD $600,000, lawfully acquired.

  • Outline a credible business plan and show investment and operating expenditures.

Business Takeover

  • Must have been living in Quebec for at least two years (authorized to work) for the “Already started” profile.

  • Maintain required net worth and demonstrate lawful origin of funds.

  • Hold proper equity stakes and control in the business.

Innovative Business Project

  • Must have support from an accredited innovation organization in Quebec.

  • Have a business plan that proposes to develop or grow an innovative enterprise.

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