Visa
- Permanent Resident
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Quebec Entrepreneur Program – Stream 1: Innovative Business (QE1)
GSB
QC-SB
SUMMARY
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program – Stream 1 gives qualified entrepreneurs with an innovative idea the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Quebec with the support of a business accelerator, incubator, or university entrepreneurship program in Quebec.
To be eligible for Stream 1 of the Quebec Entrepreneur Program, applicants must meet certain criteria, including education, experience, language proficiency, business ownership, financial capacity and intention to settle in Quebec.
Once you meet these criteria and submit your application, you will be evaluated based on a point system. The points are awarded based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, experience, and the characteristics of the proposed business.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
QC-SA
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements must be met if you are applying to Quebec Entrepreneur Program – Stream 1:
1- Innovative Business Idea
You can submit an application for the Starting an innovative business profile, if you wish to settle in Québec to start an innovative business.
You can start your innovative business alone or with a maximum of three (3) people who also submit an application under the Entrepreneur Program. Your contribution to the original capital of the business that you will create must correspond to at least 10% of the value of this business. You can hold it alone or with the spouse accompanying you.
You must have a business idea that:
- is innovative
- can create jobs for Canadians
- can compete on a global scale
A single business proposal can include up to three (3) applicants each holding at least 10% of the value of this business. You can hold it alone or with the spouse accompanying you.
2- Stay in Quebec
You can submit an application for the Carrying out an innovative project profile if you wish to settle in Québec to carry out an innovative project in the context of operating an innovative business that you started in Québec.
3- Support of an Organization Specialized in Innovation
For your business idea, you must be able to get support from one of the following types organizations in Quebec that are specialized in innovation and has committed to supporting you in carrying out your innovative project:
- Business accelerators
- Business Incubators
- University entrepreneurship centres
There is no published list of support organizations authorized to support entrepreneur applicants under this stream and their project, nor are there any regulated criteria intended to recognize these organizations. However you can consult the list of projects of support organizations supported by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation ) (➨ immilib.com/economie).
An organization specialized in innovation is an organization with an establishment in Québec whose main activity is to provide support services (training, mentorship or search for financing) to people whose business project entails starting or growing an innovative business.
Even if you have already launched your business project in Quebec, you may still be eligible for the Entrepreneur Program, as long as the project is not yet fully implemented.
If an organization chooses to support your business idea, it’ll give you a written service offer to support your business project. You must include this letter with your application.
4- Age
You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission of the application.
5- Education
You must, at a minimum, hold a diploma corresponding to a general or vocational high school diploma in Quebec.
6- Language Ability
You can submit an application only if you declare that you have an oral knowledge of French of Level 7 or more according to the Echelle quebecoise des niveaux de competence en français (Level B2) (➨Appendix 5).
7- Financial Self-sufficiency
You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Quebec following your arrival (➨Appendix 2).
You must sign a contract in which you undertake to provide for your needs and your family’s needs for at least the first three (3) months following your arrival in Quebec.
8- Ineligibility
Your business must not be engaged in activities in the following sectors:
- Payday loans, cashing cheques or pledge loans;
- Production, distribution or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry, such as nude or erotic dancing, escort services or erotic massage;
- Real estate trading, leasing, brokerage or development.
You are not eligible to apply under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program if you are a refugee claimant in Canada, a failed refugee claimant, had a removal order, are prohibited from entering or being in Canada, do not have status in Canada or are living illegally in your country of residence.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
QC-MRA
GCYSA
QC-CYSA
WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?
Step 1: Get Support from a Support Organization
You must get a Service Offer for your business project to be developed in Quebec, from an organization specialized in innovation that has committed to supporting you. You need to contact the organization to find out how to get their support. You can consult the list of projects of support organizations supported by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation ) (➨ itccanada.com/economie).
You need to convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting. The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be aske
The organization must demonstrate its ability to support you and your project. If you reach an agreement with a support organization, it will send you a Service Offer. You need to include this letter when you submit your application. This is the proof you need to show that the support organization is supporting your business idea.
d to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
The organization must demonstrate its ability to support you and your project. If you reach an agreement with a support organization, it will send you a Service Offer. You need to include this letter when you submit your application. This is the proof you need to show that the support organization is supporting your business idea.
The service offer must contain the following elements:
- Nature of the business project, field of activity concerned and labour needs
- Region of operations of the business
- The proposed support plan (list and description of services that it plans to offer the applicant to carry out the project)
- Its expertise as a business accelerator, business incubator or university entrepreneurship centre (its skills and achievements in relation to the entrepreneur’s project)
Step 2: Submit Application for a Quebec Selection Certificate
If a support organization approves your business project and gives you a service offer, you may submit your application under Quebec Entrepreneur Program – Stream 1.
Your application, including all the application forms, confirmation of deposits, application fees and all the supporting documents including a Narrative Document must be submitted to the government of Quebec.
Quebec requires a detailed narrative document, explaining the history of acquisition of your assets and separate narrative document for your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable).
Following submission, your application will be checked to ensure you have included all required documents and you will be sent an acknowledgement of receipt if your file is deemed complete and admissible. Any incomplete file will be returned to the candidates, along with the fees payable.
Subsequently, after the processing of your application has begun, you will be sent an e-mail inviting you to provide your attestation of learning about democratic values and the Quebec values. The members of your family accompanying you must also obtain an attestation, specifically your spouse aged 16 years or older and your dependent children aged 18 years or older. Persons with a disability that prevents them from obtaining the attestation are exempt from this condition.
| Quebec Application | |
| Submit Application: | |
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Direction du regroupement familial et de l’enregistrement Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration 207-1200, boulevard Saint-Laurent Montréal (Québec) H2X 0C9 CANADA |
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| Official Program Guide: | |
| immilib.com/QE1-Guide | |
| Quebec Application Fee: | |
| Main applicant: | $1,211 |
| Spouse: | $192 |
| Each child: | $192 |
| Processing Time: | |
| Not available | |
| Document Checklist: | |
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(page 31) |
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| Contact: | |
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Tel: 514-864-9191 Fax: 514-864-8158 (general questions) |
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To obtain the attestation, you must successfully complete the online assessment or participate in an information session in Quebec. Once you obtain the attestation, it is valid for two (2) years.
For more information on the online assessment, see (➨immilib.com/Q-Attestation).
During the review of your application, particular attention will be paid to specific points that are:
- education, language, stay and family in Quebec;
- net assets and proof of their source and lawful acquisition;
- proof of deposits; and
- your business plan and your offer of service
The following are what may happen after you submit your application:
- Decision based on file: Your application is processed and approved or refused based on your file and no interview is required.
- Intent to refuse: You receive a letter asking you to provide further information/documents within sixty (60) days.
- Notice to attend an interview: If an interview is required, you will receive a notice stating the exact date and place and a list of documents to provide.
If your application is approved, you will be informed of the next steps to follow in your immigration process. If possible, the officer will immediately issue your Certificat de sélection du Quebec (CSQ – Quebec Selection Certificate). Otherwise it will be mailed to you. The CSQ is a document stating that an applicant has officially been selected for immigration by the province of Quebec.
Step 3: Apply for Permanent Residence
After obtaining your CSQ, your next step is to submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa (➨Page) within the validity of your CSQ which is two (2) years.
You must submit your application using the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (PR Portal) (➨ immilib.com/PR-Portal).
If your application is complete, you will receive a letter or an email confirming that your file has been received and accepted for processing. This letter is called the Acknowledge of Receipt (AOR) and will include your IRCC file number.
Once you have received your acknowledgement of receipt, you can create an online account and link your application to it. By creating an account, you will be able to receive email updates and a more detailed case status.
Step 4: Landing in Quebec
If your application for permanent residence is approved, you will be asked to pay your right of permanent residence fee if you haven't already done so. You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and if you are from a country that requires a visa you will also be issued a permanent resident visa.
You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when you cross a Canadian port of entry. This is referred to as ‘landing in Canada' (➨Page).
You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one (1) year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as the Canada Immigration Visa is received.
If you arrive at the Montréal-Trudeau international Airport, you will be greeted by the personnel of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration who will offer direct support services to you.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
QC-WSYTA
WELCOME TO QUEBEC!
GWA
QC-WA
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