Guaranteed Investment in Quebec
Through the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, the province of Quebec gives permanent residency to individuals with business experience who are willing to make an investment in Canada – this is intended to boost the Canadian economy and create jobs.
This program is the sole option for business immigrants to gain permanent residence status from passive investment. It requires candidates to have at least a C$2 million net worth, alone or with a spouse, acquired legally more than 6 months before applying.
Candidates must also have at least 2 years of acceptable management business experience within the past 5 years (note: successful candidates do not need to establish or manage their own business in Canada). To possess this experience, applicants must have been involved in the planning, management and control of the financial, human or material resources of a business. Acceptable management experience in these businesses will qualify:
- Farming, commercial or industrial business
- Professional business (if business has staff of at least 2 full-time employees, other than the applicant)
- International agency
- Government, including its departments and agencies
Accepted applicants must invest C$1.2 million in a prescribed, government guaranteed investment for 5 years, and intend to settle in the province of Quebec. After 5 years, the investor will be reimbursed for their loan within 30 days, without interest.
Applicants who meet the criteria above will also be assessed according to the following factors:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language proficiency (French)
This program has a yearly cap of 1900 applications; any applications received after the maximum will be returned to the applicant.
Entrepreneurs
Immigration Quebec has a designated program for individuals seeking to reside in the province of Quebec and purchase, invest in or create a business in Quebec. In order to qualify for this program, the applicant will have to demonstrate the following:
- A minimum C$300,000 net worth, alone or with a spouse
- At least two years of full-time business management experience alone or with spouse in a business where the applicant controls at least 25% of the equity, within past 5 years
For the work experience to qualify, the entrepreneur must have had duties and responsibilities related to the planning, management and control of resources (human, financial & material). The applicant must have dedicated all their working time to management duties.
The applicant must have the intention to purchase or set up a new business venture in Quebec. The applicant must present a business plan explaining how they will manage and operate a business in which they possess at least 25% of the equity, having a minimum value of $100,000 CAD. It is important to note that this Quebec business immigration program’s minimum investment is significantly lower than any of the other provincial Canadian immigration programs for entrepreneurs. The plan must describe how the agricultural, commercial or industrial business venture will employ at least one other resident of Quebec, besides the applicant and the family members included on their application. This position created for a Quebec resident must be on a full-time and permanent basis (minimum 30 hours per week).
Applicants who meet the criteria above will also be assessed according to the following factors:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience, besides business management experience
- Language proficiency (advanced intermediate oral and written French is required)
- Personal suitability
- Knowledge of the province of Quebec
Self-Employment
This program is for self-employed individuals who seek to practice their profession in Quebec. To apply under, applicants must demonstrate:
- A minimum C$100,000 net worth, alone or with a spouse
- Intention to create their own job by practicing their profession in a self-employed capacity, without paid help
- At least two years of self-employment experience
In addition, applicants must make a start-up deposit at a financial institution in the region where they intend to practice their profession:
- $25,000 CAD deposit outside Montreal area
- $50,000 CAD deposit in Montreal area
There are no restrictions on the type of occupation the self-employed individual can practice in Quebec, so long as they have the appropriate authorization in a regulated occupation. This is different from the Federal Self-Employed program, which is limited to certain professions.
Applicants who meet the criteria above will also be assessed according to the following factors:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language proficiency (advanced intermediate oral and written French is required)
- Personal suitability
- Visits to Quebec and family in Quebec
To find out more about Quebec business immigration and to learn how FWCanada can help you with your application, fill out our assessment form.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
