Self-Employed Worker Program
Route for people who want to settle in Quebec to practise their profession or trade on their own account, alone or with others, with or without paid help. It combines a modest net-worth threshold with a start-up deposit that depends on where in Quebec the applicant will practise. Selected applicants receive a Quebec Selection Certificate and then apply federally for permanent residence.
Open
Status
Job offer
How you apply
Key requirements
| 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 | At least two years of work experience in the profession, practised in the applicant's own name, in the five years before applying, outside ineligible sectors; for a regulated profession, authorization to practise in Quebec or proof of partial/full recognition of equivalence dated within the previous five years |
| Job offer | Not required |
| How you apply | Direct application when you meet the requirements |
| Money — funds, net worth, investment | Net worth of at least CAD $100,000 (lawful origin must be proven; donations received in the previous six months excluded; may be shared with an accompanying spouse), plus a start-up deposit with a Quebec financial institution of CAD $25,000 if practising outside the Montreal metropolitan community or CAD $50,000 within it |
| Employer requirements | The profession must not be practised in ineligible sectors (payday loans/cheque cashing/pawnbroking, sex industry, real-estate trading/leasing/brokerage/development/planning) |
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/self-employed-workers/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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The published points calculator for this province — and the program matcher, which checks this program against your profile.
Guides for this program
Guide: Business immigration: start-up visa, self-employed, and investor routes
Entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed people who want permanent residence through a business or cultural or athletic contribution.
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How long will it take?
Current IRCC processing-time estimates, recorded daily.