Quebec Entrepreneurs Program

The Quebec Entrepreneurs Program is a government program designed to help foreign nationals who wish to move and live in Canada by operating a business in the Province of Quebec. The Quebec Entrepreneurs Program is open to experienced entrepreneurs as well as their families to either develop a new business in Quebec or to purchase and operate an existing business in the Province. Once a successful applicant and their family obtain permanent residence via Quebec Entrepreneurs Program, they can apply for Canadian citizenship.

Quebec Entrepreneurs Program

What are the program requirements?

There are two available streams by way of which you can apply for the Quebec Entrepreneur Program:

Stream 1 – Previous acquisition of a business located in the Province of Quebec

• You must settle in this province;
• You must operate the business yourself or with your spouse on a daily basis, meaning participate in the common managerial decisions and operations;
• The business has to be industrial, commercial or agricultural in nature;
• You must present a business plan to demonstrate your business’ viability in Quebec.

Stream 2 – Creation or purchase of a new business in the Province of Quebec

• You must settle in Quebec and operate the business in Quebec;
• The business must be industrial, commercial or agricultural in nature;
• You must prepare a business plan;
• You must make a security deposit at a financial institution in Quebec, with whom you will sign a deposit agreement;
• If the business will be located in the Greater Montreal Area, the deposit amount required is $300,000 CAD;
• If the business will be located outside of the Greater Montreal Area, the deposit amount required is $200,000 CAD;
• The deposit is a security measure used to ensure that you will carry out your business plan. This amount will be given back to you once you carry out your project;
• You must have a net worth of at least $900,000 CAD, either alone or together with your spouse. You will also be asked to demonstrate that this money has been legally acquired;
• If you acquire an existing business, you must control and own at least 51% of the equity of the business;
• If you start a new business, you must control and own at least 25% of the equity of the business.

Another important factors to consider are:

• You must have operated a business for five years prior to your application to demonstrate managerial skills and abilities;
• You may NOT purchase a business which was previously owned by another immigrant investor in the previous five years.

 

Quebec Entrepreneurs Program

Some additional factors that will be considered at the time of application are:

• Your age;
• Your level of education and field of studies;
• Your knowledge of French and English;
• Your financial capacity to provide for yourself and your family once in Quebec;
• Your knowledge of this province and its culture;
• Any ties you may have to Quebec, such as family already residing in Quebec;
• The quality of your business plan.