The
Quebec Entrepreneur Program offers a pathway to permanent residence for people who want to settle in Quebec and actively operate a business. It has three streams:
Innovative Business, Business Startup and Business Takeover.The right stream depends on your project, your experience and whether you already operate a business in Quebec.
Spoken French at level 7 on the Quebec scale is a core requirement, so language eligibility should be assessed before committing to a business purchase or startup.
Last reviewed: November 4, 2026. All financial amounts below are in Canadian dollars.Is the Quebec Entrepreneur Program Open?
Quebec’s official application pages currently state that applications can be submitted
at any time, with
no maximum intake limit, across all three streams. Acceptance for processing remains subject to a complete application and the applicable requirements.
Which Quebec Entrepreneur Stream Fits Your Project?
| Stream | Main business objective | Profiles available |
|---|
| Stream 1: Innovative Business | Develop an innovative business with specialized organizational support | Starting an innovative company or carrying out an innovative project |
| Stream 2: Business Startup | Establish and operate a business | Starting a business or operating one already started in Quebec |
| Stream 3: Business Takeover | Acquire and control an existing Quebec business | Acquiring a business or operating one already acquired |
Each stream separates new projects from qualifying businesses already established in Quebec.For a broader comparison of business routes, see our
business immigration to Canada overview.
General Quebec Entrepreneur Program Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the shared requirements and the conditions of their specific profile.The shared requirements include:
- Age: At least 18 when applying.
- Education: An eligible diploma, such as one equivalent to a Quebec secondary school diploma, or a qualifying vocational or college credential.
- French: At least level 7 in oral comprehension and oral expression on the Quebec scale.
- Financial self-sufficiency: Resources to cover essential family needs for the first three months after obtaining permanent residence.
- Settlement and management: Intention to settle in Quebec and exercise significant management authority in the business.
- Quebec values: The required attestation, including for accompanying family members subject to this requirement.
How Do You Prove Your French?
Accepted evidence includes recognized French test results or assessment diplomas, or certain accepted secondary school diplomas. Language test results must meet the applicable validity period.Quebec may also interview you to verify your declared French ability.
English proficiency does not replace the French requirement.Stream 1: Innovative Business
This stream is intended for entrepreneurs whose projects qualify as innovative and receive support from an organization established in Quebec that specializes in innovation.
Starting an Innovative Company
The main requirements include:
- A business plan using Quebec’s prescribed format.
- A qualifying innovation service offer.
- At least 10% participation in the business’s contributed capital, held alone or with the accompanying spouse.
- A project undertaken alone or with up to three other applicants under the Entrepreneur Program.
The supporting organization must demonstrate that its services and resources suit the project.
Carrying Out an Innovative Project
This profile concerns applicants who already established an innovative company in Quebec. It requires at least
two years of residence in Quebec, authorization to work and compliance with immigration conditions, alongside the business participation, support and planning requirements.Check the
official Innovative Business conditions when assessing your project.
Before approaching a support organization, prepare a clear explanation of the innovation, target market, commercial potential and funding needs.Stream 2: Business Startup
This stream distinguishes entrepreneurs planning a new business from qualifying applicants who already started one in Quebec.
Business Startup Profile
| Requirement | Main condition |
|---|
| Net worth | At least CAD600,000, with lawful accumulation demonstrated |
| Management experience | At least two years within the preceding five years |
| Capital participation | At least 25%, held alone or with the accompanying spouse |
| Qualifying expenditure | CAD300,000 within metropolitan Montréal or CAD150,000 outside it |
| Planning | A business plan in the prescribed format |
The expenditure requirement concerns startup or operating expenses. The business must be started within
two years of the work permit issued through the notice-of-intention process, and registered for at least one year when supporting evidence is submitted.
Already Started Company Profile
This profile requires:
- At least two years living in Quebec while authorized to work.
- A business started at least one year earlier.
- At least CAD300,000 in lawfully accumulated net worth.
- At least 25% capital participation and a business plan.
See the
official Business Startup conditions for the complete profile requirements.For practical setup considerations, read our guide to
business registration in Canada.
Stream 3: Business Takeover
The takeover stream concerns acquiring and controlling an existing Quebec business, with specialized support throughout the transfer.
Company in the Process of Acquisition
Key conditions include:
- At least CAD600,000 in lawfully accumulated net worth.
- A business operating for at least five years.
- Acquisition of control, alone or with the accompanying spouse.
- A takeover service offer from a qualifying organization.
- A takeover plan.
- Qualifying takeover expenditure of CAD300,000 within metropolitan Montréal or CAD150,000 outside it.
The takeover bid must be made within two years after submitting the application. Restrictions also apply to businesses previously acquired by entrepreneurs selected under the program.
Acquired Company Profile
Applicants already operating an acquired business must meet conditions including
two years of Quebec residence,
CAD300,000 net worth, business control, specialized takeover support and a takeover plan.Business partners cannot also apply as entrepreneurs through the same takeover arrangement. Consult the
official Business Takeover conditions.Our guide to
buying a business and moving to Canada explains broader acquisition considerations.
How Much Money Should You Budget?
Your budget should distinguish
net worth, qualifying business expenditure and accessible cash.Net worth measures assets after liabilities. Business expenditure is money spent on the project under the relevant rules. Accessible cash pays expenses when they fall due.Before proceeding, prepare a budget covering:
- Business setup or acquisition.
- Working capital and operating costs.
- Legal, accounting and organizational support.
- Immigration applications, translations and language testing.
- Family living costs and a contingency reserve.
The program minimum should be the starting point for financial planning. Ask an accountant to test whether the business remains viable if revenue arrives later than expected.How to Apply for the Quebec Entrepreneur Program
1. Select the Stream and Profile
Start with your French ability, business objective, financial position and Quebec residence history. Assess these together before choosing a project.For a takeover, investigate the business’s accounts, liabilities, leases, ownership and operational risks before signing binding commitments.
2. Prepare the Application
Use the forms and planning documents for your selected stream. Supporting evidence can include identity and family documents, education, French proficiency, financial history, business records and the required organizational service offer.Quebec currently instructs applicants to submit a
complete, signed application by mail, with the required fee. Documents must follow the prescribed language, translation and format rules.
3. Complete the Applicable Business and Work Permit Stages
Some startup and takeover applicants may receive a
notice of intention to select, allowing them to apply for a federal work permit while completing the required business stages.The steps depend on the profile. A notice of intention is distinct from final selection. Review your
Canadian work permit options alongside the business application.
4. Obtain the CSQ and Apply for Permanent Residence
After Quebec issues the
Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), you must apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
The CSQ confirms Quebec selection; the Canadian government makes the permanent residence decision. Quebec also provides early-entry support for eligible selected entrepreneurs seeking a work permit before permanent residence.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program Application Fees
The published Quebec permanent selection fees effective
January 1, 2026 are:
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|
| Principal applicant | CAD1,272 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | CAD201 |
| Each dependent child | CAD201 |
These fees are non-refundable and adjusted annually. Federal immigration fees and business-related costs are additional. Verify the amount through Quebec’s
official application instructions before paying.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program Processing Time
Plan for separate stages: preparing the business project, Quebec selection, any required work permit and business implementation, and federal permanent residence processing.A single advertised timeframe may leave out substantial parts of that process. Use current government processing information for the relevant application stage and build flexibility into business commitments. Quebec directs applicants to IRCC for federal processing times.
Assess Your Quebec Business Immigration Options
A useful assessment should answer four questions:
Do you meet the French requirement? Which profile fits your circumstances? Can you document your finances? Is the business commercially viable?If Quebec does not suit your plans, compare the requirements through our
provincial entrepreneur programs overview.Complete the
free immigration assessment to share your background, language level and business plans, or
book a consultation for a detailed review of your options.
