Business Category (Québec)

Under the business category in Québec, there exist 3 different classes of immigrants:

1. Investors;
2. Entrepreneurs;
3. Self-employed persons.

Each of these classes has their own unique evaluation criteria.

Investors (Québec):

In order to qualify under the Investor program in Quebec, potential applicants must:

1. Have net assets of at least $800,000 CAD that was acquired through lawful economic activities;
2. Sign an investment undertaking agreement for $400,000 CAD with an authorized financial intermediary;
3. Have a minimum of 3 years management experience (in the last 10 years) in a profitable and legal business, or in a government or international organization;

Entrepreneurs (Québec):

In order to qualify under the Entrepreneur program in Quebec, potential applicants must:

1. Have net assets of at least $300,000 CAD that have been legally obtained (and if applicable, may have been obtained with your spouse or common-law spouse provided he/she is accompanying you);
2. Have at least 2 years full-time experience in managing a business (within the last 5 years). The business may be managed alone, or with your accompanying spouse or common-law spouse. You (and if applicable, your spouse), must control at least 25% of the capital equity;
3. Present their application in 1 of 2 programs:
   • Creating or acquiring a business (agricultural, industrial or commercial) in Quebec, that you manage yourself or that you will have a role in managing on a daily basis. You must control (alone or with your accompanying spouse or common-law spouse) at least 25% of the capital equity with a value of at least $100,000 CAD.
   • Acquire in Quebec (alone or with your accompanying spouse or common-law spouse), at least 25% of capital equity in a business (agricultural, industrial or commercial) with a value of at least $100,000 CAD. You must also manage the business yourself or have a daily role in the management of the business.
4. Fulfill the following conditions for at least 1 year within the 3 years after the day on which the applicant becomes a permanent resident:
   • Create or acquire (in whole or in part) a qualifying business (agricultural, commercial or industrial) in Quebec;
   • Must hold at least 25% of the capital equity with a value of at least $100,000 CAD;
   • Participate in the daily management and operations of the business;
   • Must employ, on a permanent basis and for a minimum of 30 hours a week, a Quebec resident (other than yourself or a member of your accompanying family) in the qualifying business.

Self-Employed (Québec)

1. In order to qualify under the Self-Employed program, potential applicants must demonstrate:
2. Net assets of at least $100,000 CAD that have been legally obtained (and where applicable, with your spouse or common-law spouse, provided he/she is accompanying you);
3. Minimum 2 years experience as a self-employed worker in the same profession or trade that you plan on practising in Quebec;
4. Intention to come to Quebec to operate a business where you will be able to practice the same profession or trade as practiced prior to coming to Quebec.

Note: Unlike the Federal Self-Employed immigration program, Québec does not limit applicants to those who have experience in cultural, athletics or farming.