The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is primarily for immigrant entrepreneurs who can establish new business or acquire existing business in Quebec. 

Note: MIDI has declared that Quebec Entrepreneur was accepting 60 new applications between August 15, 2018 and  March 31, 2019. Stream One accepted 25 applications and  Stream Two accepted 35 applications. Moreover, applicants who have taken an approved language test showing French language proficiency at an advanced intermediate level are exempt from this intake threshold and  might submit an application at any time. 

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is an immigration way targeting immigrant entrepreneurs who can establish a new business or acquire and  operate an existing business. Successful applicants can immigrate to Quebec, where they will carry out their business projects. As with all of Quebec’s immigration pathways, this program enables applicants to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). Moreover, upon obtaining a CSQ, a candidate becomes eligible to submit an official application for Canada PR.  

Quebec Entrepreneur Program Requirements 

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program operates two streams, each with its own distinct eligibility requirements: 

Stream One 

In order to be eligible, candidates must settle in Quebec to create and  operate a business/ venture that is supported by a service offer from a business incubator, business accelerator, or a university entrepreneurship center. The business project might be undertaken alone or with others, up to three of whom can be international applicants applying to a similar immigration program. There isn’t any strict definition for the types of organizations who are able to support though a service offer. However, the following definitions can guide the applicants: 

• Business Accelerator 

An organization with an establishment in the province that offers support services, specifically assistance seeking financing, to entrepreneurs whose projects aim to grow businesses. 

• Business Incubator

In business incubator, an organization with an establishment in the province that offers support services to entrepreneurs/ businessmen who seek to create businesses. 

• University Entrepreneurship Center  

An organization administered by a university/ institution at the university level which provides coaching services to entrepreneurs. 

The services offer providing organizations must demonstrate their capacity to support the applicant and  their business project. The service offer should present the ways in which this support will take place, addressing the following elements: 

• Proposed Support Plan

List and  description of services offered to the applicant.

• Operating Plan

Detailed budget of the service offer and  the schedule of activities. 

• Expertise As A Business Incubator, Business Accelerator, Or University Entrepreneurship Center

The skills and  achievements related to the entrepreneur’s project.

The applicant must present their application in the form of a business plan to Quebec. The applicant must complete all required forms as listed on the MIDI website.    

Stream Two 

In order to be eligible for this stream, the applicant must settle in the province to create a new business or acquire an existing business and  manage business operations. Successful candidates will have to make two financial deposits as part of their application. 

1. A security deposit of CAD 200,000 serves as insurance that the business/ venture will be created, to be refunded when the business plan is carried out successfully 
2. A startup deposit must be used to set up the venture/ business. The startup deposit is $300,000 for businesses in Montreal and  CAD 200,000 for businesses created outside of Montreal. All candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Have net assets of at least CAD 900,000 that have been legally obtained with, spouse/ common-law partner if they are accompanying the candidate.
• The application should be presented in the form of a business plan.
• If the applicant is creating a new business, they must own and  control a minimum of 25% of its equity capital. If the candidate is acquiring an existing business, they must own and  control a minimum of 51% of its equity capital.
• The business/ venture cannot be involved in the following activities: 

• Real estate development 
• Real estate
• Cheque cashing
• Insurance Brokerage
• Pawnbroking 
• Sexually explicit products 
• Payday loans 
• An acquired business should have been in operation during the five years before an application. 

Applications will take into account other factors, like age, work experience, language proficiency, etc. Candidates must apply in the form of a business plan, thus ensuring that they include all forms and  documents listed on the website of MIDI. 

Conclusion 

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program offers business owners a promising opportunity to establish themselves in Canada’s most vibrant and  culturally rich provinces. With its streamlined application process, supportive business environment, and  access to global markets, Quebec offers entrepreneurs the resources and  infrastructure needed to launch successful ventures. 

By encouraging innovation, job creation, and  economic growth, the program contributes to Quebec’s prosperity while fostering diversity and  entrepreneurial spirit within its communities. As a gateway to new possibilities and  achievements, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program paves the way for entrepreneurs to thrive and  make lasting contributions to Quebec’s dynamic economy.