Canada seeks talented entrepreneurs who wish to start businesses that will boost the Canadian economy and create jobs for its residents. If you are an entrepreneur, you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the Startup Visa Program.

Canada’s Startup Visa Program allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to establish a new business. Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is innovative, will create jobs for Canadians, and has the potential to compete globally.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Have an eligible business:

   • Hold at least 10% of the voting rights.
   • Together with the designated organization, hold more than 50% of the voting rights.

2. Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization:

   • Show support from a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or incubator.
   • Present and convince the organization of your business idea.
   • Receive a letter of support to include in your application.

3. Meet language requirements:

   • Pass an approved language test and achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English or French.

4. Provide proof of funds:

   • Demonstrate that you have sufficient money to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada. The required amount depends on your family size.

This program targets experienced investors with significant assets who wish to invest in Quebec. The selection process for immigration as an investor in Quebec involves two stages: the Notice of  Intention to select from Quebec, followed by the Quebec Selection Certificate.

• Investment Agreement: Enter into an investment agreement with an approved financial intermediary who will make the investment and pay the financial contribution on your behalf.
• Management Experience: Have at least two years of management experience within the five years preceding the application, excluding inadmissible sectors.
• Net Worth: Demonstrate a net worth of at least CAD 2,000,000, excluding recent gifts, and prove the lawful origin of this wealth. Your spouse must also prove the lawful origin of their net worth, even if their assets are not needed to meet the minimum requirement.
• Education: Hold a diploma equivalent to at least a high school diploma from Quebec.
• Language Proficiency: Have oral French skills at a minimum of level 7 on the Quebec Scale.

     Additional Conditions:

• Democratic Values: Obtain a certificate of knowledge of democratic and Quebec values.
• Investment and Contribution: Your financial intermediary must make a five-year term investment of CAD 1,000,000 and contribute CAD 200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs Inc.
• Residency Requirement: Reside in Quebec for at least 12 months within two years of receiving the work permit. Out of these 12 months, you must spend at least 6 months in Quebec, with the remaining 6 months possibly spent by you or your spouse.

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program provides a pathway for immigrant entrepreneurs to create or acquire and operate a business in Quebec. Successful candidates can obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and, after receiving the CSQ, apply for Canadian permanent residency with the federal government.

• Age: Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• Education: Have a diploma equivalent to at least a Quebec high school diploma obtained before the application date.
• French Proficiency: Have oral French skills equivalent to at least level 7 on the Quebec Scale. Provide recent test results or diplomas accepted by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration, dated within two years of your application.
• Financial Support: Commit to supporting yourself and your family for three months after obtaining permanent resident status, including Canadian citizen dependents.
• Business Activity: The business must not operate in inadmissible sectors.
• Values Certificate: Obtain a certificate of knowledge of democratic and Quebec values.

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program includes three distinct streams, each with specific eligibility criteria in addition to the general program requirements:

Profile 1: Starting an Innovative Business

• Business Creation: Start an innovative business in Quebec alone or with up to three other candidates.
• Equity Stake: Hold at least 10% of the business value, either alone or with your spouse.
• Support Offer: Obtain a service offer from a specialized innovation organization in Quebec that commits to supporting your business project, detailed in the service offer.
• Business Plan: Submit a business plan with your application.

Profile 2: Implementing an Innovative Project

• Existing Business: You have an existing innovative business and wish to undertake a new project within it.
• Residency Requirement: Have legally resided in Quebec for at least two years with work authorization, respecting your stay conditions.
• Equity Stake: Hold at least 10% of the business value, either alone or with your spouse.
• Support Offer: Obtain a service offer from a specialized innovation organization in Quebec.
• Business Plan: Submit a business plan with your application.

Profile 1: Start-up Business

• Management Experience: Have at least two years of business management experience within the five years preceding your application, excluding specific sectors.
• Net Worth: Have a minimum net worth of CAD 600,000, which can be shared with your spouse.
• Investment: Start the business alone or with up to three partners.
• Business Plan: Submit a business plan with your application.
• Investment and Expenditure: Invest at least CAD 300,000 in the Montreal metropolitan area or CAD 150,000 elsewhere in Quebec to start or operate your business.
• Equity Stake: Hold at least 25% of the business capital, which can be shared with your spouse and business partners.

Profile 2: Established Business

• Residency Requirement: Have resided in Quebec for at least two years with a work or study permit.
• Net Worth: Have a minimum net worth of CAD 300,000, excluding recent donations.
• Equity Stake: Hold at least 25% of the business capital, which can be shared with your spouse and business partners.
• Business Plan: Include your business project in a plan to submit with your application.

Profile 1 : Acquiring a Business

• Previous Acquisitions: The business must not have been acquired by a Quebec Entrepreneur Program participant or a group controlled by such a participant within the last five years.
• Net Worth: Minimum net worth required: CAD 600,000 (excluding donations received in the last six months). Net worth can be shared with spouse or common-law partner
• Business partners: Business partners cannot apply for permanent selection as entrepreneurs.
• Business Control: Must control the business alone or with accompanying spouse/common-law partner.
• Takeover expenses : Minimum expenditure required: CAD 300,000 for businesses in the Montreal Metropolitan Community and CAD 150,000 for businesses outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community.
• Specialized Support:  Must engage a specialized business transfer organization in Quebec for support. Organization must provide a service offer detailing support and resources for the transfer process.
• Succession Plan: Include the business project in a succession plan with the application.
• Takeover Bid:   Within two years, must make an acquisition offer as per the succession plan and service offer.

• Previous Acquisitions: The business must not have been acquired by a Quebec Entrepreneur Program participant or a group controlled by such a participant within the last five years.
• Residency Requirement: Reside in Quebec for at least two years with a work or study permit.
• Net Worth: Have a minimum net worth of CAD 300,000, excluding donations received six months before the application.
• Business Control: Control the acquired business exclusively with your spouse, without involvement from business partners who have not applied to the program.
• Specialized Support: Use the services of a Quebec-based business acquisition organization and include a business transfer support offer in your application.
• Succession Plan: Include a succession plan for the business in your application.

The Quebec Self-Employed Workers Program provides an immigration pathway for individuals with experience in creating their own employment. Successful candidates can immigrate to Quebec and establish their own business. Through this program, they can apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and then apply for Canadian permanent residence.

• You must work independently or with others, with or without paid assistance.
• Restricted sectors: payday loans, cheque cashing, pawn broking, pornography, sex industry services, and real estate.
• At least two years of professional experience as a self-employed worker within the past five years, excluding restricted sectors.
• For regulated professions, authorization to practice in Quebec or recognition of training/credentials by the regulatory authority is required.
• Minimum net worth of CAD 100,000, excluding donations received in the six months prior to the application. This amount can be shared with your spouse.
• Demonstrate the lawful origin and accumulation of your net worth, as well as that of your spouse, even if their assets are not needed to meet the minimum net worth requirement.
• Hold a diploma equivalent to a Quebec secondary school diploma obtained before applying.
• Have French language proficiency at least at Level 7 on the Quebec Scale.
• Make a startup deposit with a Quebec financial institution: CAD 25,000 outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), CAD 50,000 within the CMM.
• Sign a financial self-sufficiency contract to support yourself, your accompanying family members, and Canadian citizen children for three months after obtaining permanent resident status.
• Obtain a certificate of learning democratic and Quebec values.

Canada presents a broad spectrum of programs, incentives, and opportunities for entrepreneurs, but navigating these can be intricate. Engaging with a business immigration lawyer can assist you in pinpointing the most appropriate opportunities that align with your objectives. A business immigration lawyer not only clarifies these requirements but also facilitates your compliance with them. What may initially appear challenging can become more manageable with professional guidance. For personalized guidance and to explore your options, contact us today.

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