Quebec Entrepreneur Program: Application Process  & Different Streams

These days, starting a business is easier than ever. With the advent of the Internet and mobile devices, entrepreneurs can take their business on the road while in transit. Quebec is heaven for immigrant entrepreneurs. Many programs and initiatives are meant to turn newcomers into successful business owners. 

However, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program is considered the best one. The Quebec Entrepreneur Program (QEP) is a Canadian immigration program developed to attract and retain skilled workers, experienced business people, and self-employed individuals.

So, if you have a good idea for a business, maybe you are already running one and want to expand to another province. With the Quebec Entrepreneur Program, you can come to Quebec and settle down here with your family. The program will help you settle in faster, focusing on your new business. But first, there are some things you should know about this program.

This guide is meant to give all the information about the Quebec entrepreneur program requirements and its applications.

What Is Quebec Entrepreneur Program? 

If you’re looking to start a business in Quebec, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program may be for you. This program is designed to attract and retain entrepreneurs who want to start or invest in a business in the province.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must submit a business plan detailing their proposed business venture. The eligibility criteria include a personal net worth of at least $300,000 and making a minimum investment of $200,000 in your Quebec business. You must also create at least one full-time job for a Quebec resident.

If approved for the program, you will be granted a temporary work permit that will allow you to live and work in Quebec for up to three years. After that, you may be eligible for permanent residency.

With its low taxes and supportive government policies, Quebec is an ideal place to launch a new business venture. 

Quebec Entrepreneur Program: Stream 1

This stream is for people who want to build a business in Canada but don’t meet the requirements of the Entrepreneur Program streams. If your business is still in its early stages or hasn’t been operating long enough to meet the needs of those other streams, this one is your best bet.

The Business People stream is designed to help you get your business off the ground and running. Candidates are expected to have received assistance in starting and running a business in Quebec from business incubators, an accelerator, or a university entrepreneurship center. 

The candidate is expected to have a business plan or innovative ideas to grow the business to another level. Furthermore, the candidate can operate independently, have a common-law partner, or maybe with the support of these three service providers.

Entrepreneurship centers, incubators, and accelerators qualified to work with immigrant entrepreneurs are not formally recognized in Quebec.

Even though these groups aren’t formally recognized in Quebec, applicants interested in learning more about their work can look through the following list.

Let’s have a look at service providers:

Business Incubator

A business incubator is an organization that helps new businesses get up and running. It allows start-ups to prepare for growth by offering access to shared working spaces, networking opportunities, and other resources necessary for success. They provide valuable insight into business development while offering opportunities to showcase products or services to potential customers.

Business Accelerator

Business accelerators are collaborative organizations that support entrepreneurs by providing them mentorship and assistance in seeking finance and advice during the early stages of development. The primary purpose of these programs is to facilitate the acquisition of funding by new businesses, thereby facilitating their expansion.

University Entrepreneurship Centers 

University entrepreneurship centers provide students with resources to develop their business ideas and prepare for the business world. Additionally, it assists them in obtaining internships, which allows them to hone their skills before entering the workforce.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program: Stream 2

The Investor Stream offers permanent residence to foreign nationals who have the means and intention to settle in Quebec. This stream is open to investors who can demonstrate that they can financially support themselves and their family members and make a significant, direct economic contribution to Quebec’s economy.

To be eligible for this stream, you must:

• The candidate must prove that they have legitimately accumulated a net worth of CAD 900,000, either individually or jointly with their spouse or common law.
• A CAD 200,000 insurance premium is refundable upon successful implementation of the business plan if the business does not materialize.
• The company must have been operating for at least five years before applying for this program. 
• The aspiring entrepreneur must put up $200,000 in start-up capital if the company is located outside the greater Montreal area. In contrast, those operating in the city proper need to put up $300,000.
• In the case of a new business, the applicant must own a minimum of 25% of the equity capital. However, an applicant seeking to acquire an existing business must possess and control 51% of its equity capital.

Application Process of Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The process of applying to the Quebec Entrepreneur Program is relatively simple. You must complete your necessary supporting documents, proofs, and a personal statement.

Before applying, candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary language and medical skills. French speaking is exempt from this test because Quebec is a french speaking province.

Now that you’ve got that out of the way let’s look at the two stages that make up the application process.

Selection Process

The first step is to apply for the selection certificate, Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), from the Quebec province. This process begins at the state level or region. 

This certificate shows that you meet certain conditions and allows you to apply for permanent residence in Canada through Quebec. Once you have received your selection certificate, you can apply for permanent residence in Canada through Quebec.

You can only apply for the selection certificate after having received an invitation from Quebec to apply for it.

When you receive an invitation from Quebec to apply for the selection certificate, you must complete an Application for Selection Certificate and send it along with the required documents to Quebec by mail or courier service. You cannot submit this application electronically or at a POE.

Once all of your supporting documents have been verified by immigration officials, they will issue you a selection certificate and send it by mail. This document will be valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, so make sure you don’t lose it!

 Admission Process

The Federal Government carries out the admission process begins at the Federal level. If selected, you can apply to live permanently in Canada through the Quebec entrepreneur program. You must submit an application form and all supporting documents listed in the Guide for Applicants on the Quebec Government’s website.

Successful candidates will be invited to an interview where they will be asked questions about their business plan, financial self-sufficiency, and personal situation. This interview will take place in Quebec City or Montreal.

After this interview, candidates will be selected based on their answers and qualifications. All successful candidates must also pass a medical examination before being admitted to Canada.

Once you have been granted permanent residence in Canada under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program, you can live anywhere in Canada that you choose. However, suppose you wish to live in Quebec after your arrival. In that case, you must make arrangements for your preferred destination before coming over as a permanent resident from abroad.

Eligibility Criteria of Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program (QEP) is a program that was created to encourage new business creation and economic development. The QEP is a business immigration program for foreign investors who want to start or purchase a business in Quebec. The QEP is open to investors worldwide, but specific criteria must be met to qualify for this program.

Assets

• You must have liquid assets of at least CAD$300,000 and be able to prove that you can finance your business project in Quebec.
• You can invest CAD 900,000 or more into the province. The amount varies according to the size of the company you intend to buy into or create.
•  Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families while living in Quebec. The funds must be deposited into an account in Canada and cannot be withdrawn until after the applicant becomes a permanent resident. Applicants must also prove that they have enough money to pay for all their expenses during their stay in Quebec and their return trip home (if applicable).

1. Managerial Experience

• Must have managerial experience acquired in an enterprise or senior technical expertise in a technological field.
• Be able to contribute to the development of an enterprise (or real estate development) in Quebec significantly.
• Have at least two years of full-time managerial experience acquired outside Canada. The experience can be obtained through a job, contract, or internship. It can also include volunteer work if it meets the criteria listed above.
• Have been employed for at least one year as a manager or senior-level employee outside Canada in an enterprise that operates in the same field as your proposed business. For example, suppose you are applying to start an accounting firm. In that case, your work experience must have been obtained at another accounting firm where you worked as a manager or senior-level employee doing accounting work related to that firm’s activities.
• The applicant must have at least two years of business experience within the five years immediately preceding the application.
• The applicant must have participated in developing an idea and bringing it to market, either as an owner or manager. This may include managing employees, revenue, and expenses, establishing relationships with suppliers and customers, improving systems and processes, overseeing budgets and financial statements, negotiating contracts with clients, managing marketing efforts, etc.

Check Out How The Quebec Entrepreneur Program Works:

Quebec Entrepreneur Program vs Investor Program

The Entrepreneur Program and the Investor Program are two of the most popular options for Canadian immigration. In addition to offering a pathway to permanent residence, each has its unique features. Let’s have a look.

The main difference between the Quebec Entrepreneur Program and the Investor Program is that only one type of investment is required for each program. In the Quebec Entrepreneur Program, your investment must equal CAD 200,000 (or CAD 300,000 if you’re investing in a high-risk venture).

In contrast, under the Investor Program, you can invest anywhere from CAD 600,000 to CAD 1.2 million, depending on your net worth (as well as other factors like age).

Another significant difference between these two programs is that under Quebec’s Entrepreneur Program, you must have a business plan before applying for permanent residency; however, this isn’t required under the Investor Program.

While investor candidates are required to put their money into a no-interest, 5-year term deposit with the provincial government, those applying for the Entrepreneur program are spared this requirement.

The Entrepreneur Program is a Federal initiative that allows business owners to apply for Canadian permanent residence if they meet specific requirements. It’s aimed at entrepreneurs who have invested in or started a business in Canada or intend to do so. The company must employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and it must have been operating for at least one year before an application can be made.

Those who apply for permanent residence in Canada but fail to have an operating business in the country may face removal proceedings.

Canadian Immigration Alternatives for Entrepreneurs

If you’re an entrepreneur or have a business idea, you might consider moving to another country. If so, it’s worth looking into Canadian immigration alternatives to see if they suit your situation.

Many provinces within Canada offer programs that allow entrepreneurs to immigrate to the country and start their business in one of the provinces. These programs aim to attract people who can bring new ideas, innovation, and industry to their communities.

If you’re a Quebec entrepreneur looking to immigrate to Canada, you have a few options.

Start-up Visa

The Start-Up Visa Program is another option for entrepreneurs who wish to start businesses in Canada. This program allows foreign entrepreneurs who meet specific criteria to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship after five years of living in Canada and running their business there.

The Start-Up Visa Program was created as an alternative to the popular entrepreneur visa program, the Entrepreneur Stream.

The Start-Up Visa Program allows entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency in Canada if they have a business idea and can prove it with a detailed business plan. It also requires that the applicant have at least $200,000 in venture capital funding from a designated Canadian organization or a combination of private investors and government grants.

Provincial Nominee Programs

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to immigrate to Canada, one of the options available to you is a Provincial Nominee Program.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one such program that allows foreigners to come live in Canada permanently if they meet specific criteria. For example, they may need to show that they have enough money to start their business or invest in the community where they wish to settle down.

These programs attract skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy. They’re run by each province and territory and have different requirements depending on where you want to live.

The most common requirement is that you have an already-established business or job in your chosen province. If you do, then usually, all that’s required is an application and a short interview before being granted permanent residency status.

Another requirement may be language proficiency: some provinces want their residents to be able to speak English or French fluently. Others require only basic conversational skills in one or both languages.

Express Entry

Canada is a top destination for many entrepreneurs because of its economic freedom, high quality of life, and social safety net. However, Canada’s immigration policies can be pretty complex.

Express Entry is a point-based system that uses a combination of factors to evaluate whether a person is eligible for immigration to Canada. It applies primarily to skilled workers and professionals who wish to enter Canada permanently, but it also includes some investors and entrepreneurs.

The Express Entry system uses an invitation-based model that prioritizes applicants with higher scores. Your points depend on your education level, work experience, age, and language skills. You can also earn additional points if you have Canadian work experience or educational credentials (such as a degree).

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Quebec currently offers quite a lot to new immigrants through several government immigration programs. The Entrepreneur Business Program is one of the most popular programs helping entrepreneurs who want to settle in Quebec and own their businesses in Canada.

Generally, it’s an excellent way to start a business regardless of your level of experience because it offers many support, assurance, and financial incentives.

We know the world is changing fast, and you need all the help you can get to keep up, so we’re here for you. Whether you’re a business owner, an entrepreneur, or just looking for some inspiration, we hope this guide has been helpful to you.