Entrepreneur Program — Stream 2: Business start-up
Route for entrepreneurs who want to settle in Quebec to start a business, including a profile for people already living in Quebec who started their company at least a year ago. Candidates first receive a notice of intent to be selected, which supports a federal work permit so they can actually launch the business; the Quebec Selection Certificate follows once the effective start-up is demonstrated. They 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 |
| Work experience | Start-up profile: at least two years of business management experience acquired in the five years before applying, outside ineligible sectors |
| Job offer | Not required |
| Ties to Quebec | The 'already started company' profile requires having lived in Quebec for at least two years while authorized to work, and having complied with the conditions of stay |
| How you apply | Direct application when you meet the requirements |
| Money — funds, net worth, investment | Net worth of at least CAD $600,000 for the start-up profile, or CAD $300,000 for the already-started-company profile (lawful origin must be proven; donations received in the previous six months excluded; may be shared with an accompanying spouse). The applicant's contribution to the business's original capital must be at least 25% |
| Employer requirements | The business must not operate in ineligible sectors (payday loans, sex industry, real-estate trading/leasing/brokerage/development); the business must be started within two years of the work permit and registered for at least one year when start-up is demonstrated |
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-acquire-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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