Entrepreneur Program — Stream 1: Innovative business
Route for entrepreneurs who want to settle in Quebec to start an innovative company, or who already run an innovative company in Quebec and want to carry out an innovative project through it. The project must be backed by a Quebec innovation support organization that issues a formal service offer. Applicants who are selected receive a Quebec Selection Certificate and then apply federally for permanent residence.
Open
Status
Job offer
How you apply
Key requirements
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Education | A diploma equivalent to a Quebec Secondary School Diploma, or a diploma from a full-time program of at least one year equivalent to a Quebec Diploma of Vocational Studies, Certificate of Vocational Specialisation or Certificate of College Studies (in Quebec: at least 600 hours at secondary level or 900 hours at college level) |
| Language | French required on the Quebec scale (Échelle québécoise): spoken level 7 or higher, proven by an accepted test or diploma even for native speakers |
| Job offer | Not required |
| Ties to Quebec | The 'carrying out an innovative project' profile requires having lived in Quebec for at least two years, being authorized to work there and having complied with the conditions of stay |
| How you apply | Direct application when you meet the requirements |
| Money — funds, net worth, investment | No minimum net worth is stated for this stream on the official conditions page. The applicant's contribution to the business's original capital must be at least 10% of its value |
| Employer requirements | A service offer from an organization specialized in innovation with an establishment in Quebec (training, mentoring, financing search) is mandatory and must be filed with the application; the business must not operate in ineligible sectors (payday loans, sex industry, real-estate trading/leasing/brokerage/development) |
Summary only — requirements change and details decide real cases. Always confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying: https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/immigrate-business/entrepreneurs/start-operate-innovative-business/conditions (this record was verified against that source on 23 Oct 2026). This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
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