This program allows applicants to apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is the Quebec selection certificate. Once an applicant obtains a CSQ, they become eligible to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence, thereby paving the way for their long-term integration into Canadian society.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program:
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program consists of two distinct streams, each with its own specific eligibility criteria:
- Starting and Operating an Innovative Business
- New Business or Acquire Existing Business
Starting and Operating an Innovative Business:
Program Eligibility: Candidates must:
- Settle in Quebec with the aim of establishing and operating a business.
- May undertake alone or with others, up to 3 foreign nationals
- Present their application in the form of a business plan to Quebec.
- Obtained a service offer for their business venture by support organizations such as:
Business Accelerator:
- An organization located in Quebec that provides support services.
- Assisting in securing financing to entrepreneurs whose projects focus on innovative business growth.
Business Incubator:
- An organization based in Quebec that offers coaching services to entrepreneurs looking to start innovative businesses.
University Entrepreneurship Center:
- An organization managed by a university institution at the university level, offering coaching services to entrepreneurs.
The service offer organization (Business Accelerator, Business Incubator, or University Entrepreneurship Center) must:
Demonstrate to support the candidate and their business project. The service offer must outline how this support will be provided, addressing the following key elements:
Proposed Support Plan:
- Must include a comprehensive list and description of services that will be extended to the candidates to carry out their project.
Outline their Operating Plan:
- Must contain a detailed budget for the service offer and a schedule for carrying out support activities offered to the candidates.
Demonstrate their expertise:
- Service proposal must demonstrate the support organization’s skills and achievements related to the entrepreneur’s project.
Business Plan: Candidate must:
- Submit their business plan with their application.
- Selection Criteria: Candidate must:
- Score at least 41 out of 85 points on the program’s selection grid
New Business or Acquire Existing Business:
Candidates must plan to settle in Quebec with the intention of either establishing a new business or acquiring an existing one. If acquiring an existing business, then the business must have been in operation for at least 5 Years.
Program Eligibility: Candidates must:
| Factors | |
| Express Entry Profile | Not Required |
| Job Offer | Not Required |
| Language Proficiency | Points allocated for French & English |
| Level of Education | Not specifically required but allocated for education |
| Work Experience / Training | – Min. 2 Years managerial experience, or
– Min. 1 Year as a manager / Senior level employee – In the past 5 years |
| Connection to Province | Not specifically required |
| Security Deposit | – Make a refundable security deposit of CAD $200,000 serves as insurance that the proposed business will indeed be created, which will be refunded when the applicant demonstrates that they have carried out their business plan.
– Make a startup deposit of to set up the business. o In Montreal – CAD $300,000, o Outside Montreal – CAD $200,000. |
| Startup Deposit | – Inside Montreal – $3,00,000 CAD
– Outside Montreal – $2,00,000 CAD |
| Personal Net Worth | – Have a net worth of minimum $900,000 CAD by primary applicant and, their spouse or common-law partner if accompanying. |
| Percentage of Equity Capital | – Min. 25% (New Business)
– Min. 51% (Existing Business) |
| Selection Criteria | – Score at least 51 out of 95 points on program’s selection grid. |
| Ineligible Businesses | – Not have their proposed business in the prohibited businesses like:
Payday loans, Cheque cashing, Pawn broking, Real estate development, Real estate, Insurance brokerage, or Production, distribution or sales of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services like nude or erotic dance, escort service or erotic massage. |
| Own and control of the equity capital | – Submit a detailed business plan.
– At least 25% of its equity capital, if creating a new business – At least 51% of its equity capital, if acquiring an existing business. – Manage the day-to-day operations of the business. |
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