The federal and provincial governments have immigration programs that can allow you to move to Canada permanently if you contribute to the country’s economy.
In Quebec, there are three programs in this immigration category: the entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed program. Each program has specific requirements that, once met, will allow you to establish yourself in Canada as a permanent resident.
Quebec Entrepreneurs Program
You may want to move to Canada as a permanent resident if you want to start or acquire a business.
The first part of this program targets entrepreneurs who wish to start and operate a business for which they have received a service offer from a business accelerator, business incubator or university entrepreneurship centre. The project can be carried out on its own or with up to three other foreign nationals. The business project must be presented with a business plan and a service offering.
The second part of the program focuses on entrepreneurs who wish to start or acquire a business and operate it by making a start-up deposit and a security deposit with a financial institution located primarily in Quebec. The start-up deposit ranges from $200,000 to $300,000.
The amount of the security deposit is $200,000 and represents an assurance of the project’s completion. This sum is given to the candidate at the time of the completion of the business project.
The candidate must also demonstrate that he or she has a minimum net worth of $900,000, the legal origin and accumulation of which must be demonstrated. The project must be presented in the form of a business plan.
The evaluation of the application also takes into account several other factors including age, education level, language skills in French and English, financial independence, previous stays in Quebec and the presence of a family in Quebec.
Quebec Investor Program
To be eligible for the Investor Program, you must have a net worth of at least $2,000,000, legally obtained and have at least two years of management experience in the five years prior to applying for a certificate of selection. The experience you will need to demonstrate includes the planning, management and control functions of financial resources, as well as human or material resources that have been under your authority.
You will also need to sign an investment agreement with a financial intermediary (a broker or trust company) authorized to participate in the investor program.
Finally, a five-year term investment of $1,200,000 will be required with the Quebec state-based corporation “Investissement Québec – Immigrant Investors Inc.”
The evaluation of your application will also cover other factors, such as your age, education level and language skills.
Quebec’s self-employed program
This program is for those who wish to come to Quebec to work and engage in a profession or business activities, either alone or with partners.
In order to qualify as a permanent resident under this self-employed program, you will need to make a start-up deposit at a financial institution with its main institution in Quebec. The deposit ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on your intention to move in or out of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC).
You will also need to have a minimum net worth of $100,000 and demonstrate that the origin of this amount and its accumulation are lawful. You must have at least two years of self-employment experience in the profession or trade you wish to practice in Quebec.
The evaluation of the application also takes into account several factors that include age, education level, language skills in French and English, financial independence, previous stays in Quebec and the presence of a family in Quebec.
This article contains general information about Canadian immigration and does not constitute a legal opinion. For legal advice about your personal situation, contact the Jurinovo team.