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Quebec Self-employed Worker Program (QSE)

Category
Destination
Selection
  • Q.C: Quebec
  • S.D: Sponsor-driven
  • P.S: Point System
  • F.R: Francophone
Applicant
Visa
Status
Currently Paused

The current application intake period for Self-employed Program is from December 28, 2022 to December 31, 2023 (➨immilib.com/QSE-Intake).

Table of Contents

GSB

QC-SB

SUMMARY

The Quebec Self-employed Worker Program gives qualified self-employed professionals or tradespersons the opportunity to apply to become self-employed and permanently live and work in Quebec.

To be eligible for the program, applicants are selected based on criteria including experience, education, language proficiency, net worth and other factors.

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 Self-employed Worker program.

1- Education

You must, at a minimum, hold a diploma corresponding to a general or vocational high school diploma in Quebec.

2- Professional Self-employed Business Experience

In the last five (5) years prior to submission of your application, you must have at least two (2) years’ professional self-employed business experience (in your own name). The experience must have been acquired in the profession or trade you intend to practice in Quebec.

Your work experience must not have been acquired in the following ineligible 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.  

3- Licensing

If you wish to practice a regulated profession in Québec, you must meet one of the following conditions:  

  • Have authorization to practice this profession in Québec
  • Have training or a diploma that is partially or fully recognized by the authority that regulates your profession in Québec.  Your proof of recognition must be dated no more than five (5) years from the date of submission of your application.  

4- 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).

5- Deposit for Start-up

After you submit your application, you must make a startup deposit at a financial institution with an establishment in Quebec with whom you have signed a deposit agreement.

The startup deposit is to set up your business. The minimum required amount is $50,000 if you set up your business outside the Montreal metropolitan area (CMM) and minimum $25,000 is required if the business is located in the CMM.

It is your responsibility to find a financial institution in Quebec to make the start-up deposit. Financial transactions pertaining to the start-up deposits must be carried out according to the terms and conditions defined by the financial institution chosen.

6- Net Worth

You must also have a minimum net worth of $100,000, alone or with your spouse or common-law partner, and you must demonstrate that this money has been legally acquired. This amount  excludes donations received in the six months preceding the date of submission of your application.

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

You are not eligible to apply under the Quebec Self-employed Worker 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

CALCULATE YOUR SCORE

If you meet the above minimum requirement, then you must calculate your total score based on the following selection factors (➨immilib.com/QSE-Grid). To qualify for immigration to Canada as a Quebec-selected self-employed worker, a single applicant (or married with non-accompanying spouse) must score at least 63 points. If you are applying with your spouse, you must score at least 70 points in order to be eligible for the Program.

The Quebec Immigration selection factors may be summarized as follows:

Selection Factor Maximum Points
Factor 1: Education 14
Factor 2: Self-employed Work Experience 16
Factor 3: Age 10
Factor 4: Language Ability 22
Factor 5: Stay and family in Quebec 8
Factor 6: Spouse Education 4
Factor 7: Spouse Age 3
Factor 8: Spouse Language Ability 6
Factor 9: Financial Self-sufficiency 1
Factor 10: Amount of Deposit 30
Factor 11: Financial Resources 6

Factor 1: Education

You can receive up to 14 points for the level of your education.

Level of Education Points
Doctoral (PhD) level 14
Master’s level 12
Three-year or longer university credential 10
Three-year technical post-secondary credential 8
Two-year university degree 6
One or two-year technical post-secondary credential 6
Vocational high school 6
One-year university credential 4
Two-year general post-secondary diploma 4
General high school diploma 2
No high school diploma 0

Factor 2: Self-employed Work Experience

You can get up to 16 points for your professional self-employed work experience.
Experience Points
5 years or more 16
4 years 14
3 years 10
2 years 7
Less than 2 years Not Eligible

Factor 3: Age

You’ll get points based on your age on the day you submit your application.
Age Points
Under 18 0
18-38 10
39 8
40 6
41 4
42 2
43 and over 0

Factor 4: Language Ability

You can receive up to 16 points for your knowledge of French and up to 6 points for your knowledge of English.

To be awarded point for language, you must have taken an approved test results. Test must be taken no more than two (2) years prior to submission of application. Points are awarded according to the Echelle quebecoise des niveaux de competence en français (Levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) (➨Appendix 5).

To prove your language abilities you must take any of the following approved tests:

  • French: TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TCF, TCF Quebec, DELF and DALF
  • English: IELTS General

To find out the equivalent level for any of the above approved tests, see (➨Appendix 5).

Factor 5: Stay and Family in Quebec

You can get maximum of 8 points for stay and family in Quebec:

Stay in Quebec Points
Stay for study for at least 1 regular full-time semester if study is the main activity 5
Stay for work purposes with work permit of at least 1 year and full-time work experience of 6 months or more 5
Stay to work for at least 3 months if work is the main activity 5
Stay in the context of a youth exchange program to which an international agreement entered into by Quebec or Canada, if work is the main activity for at least 6 months 5
Stay for business for at least 1 week 2
Other stays of 3 months or more 2
Other stays of 2 weeks to 3 months 1
Close family relative in Quebec (Spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent, and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships) 3

Factor 6: Spouse Education

You can receive up to 4 points for the level of your spouse’s education.
Spouse Level of Education Points
Doctoral (PhD) level 4
Master’s level 4
Three-year or longer university credential 3
Three-year technical post-secondary credential 3
Two-year university degree 2
One or two-year technical post-secondary credential 2
Vocational high school 2
One-year university credential 1
Two-year general post-secondary diploma 1
General high school diploma 1
No high school diploma 0

Factor 7: Spouse Age

You’ll get points based on your spouse’s age on the date of your application.
Spouse Age Points
Under 18 0
18-35 3
36-42 2
43 and over 0

Factor 8: Spouse Language Ability

You can receive up to 6 points for your spouse’s knowledge of French in Listening and Speaking.
Spouse’s French Points
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
C2 (Level 11,12) 3 3 0 0
C1 (Level 9,10) 3 3 0 0
B2 (Level 7,8) 2 2 0 0
B1 or lower 0 0 0 0

Factor 9: Financial Self-sufficiency

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.
Meet Financial Self-sufficiency Points
Yes 1
No Not Eligible

Factor 10: Amount of Deposit

You must receive the full 30 points for the amount of start-up deposit.
Amount of Start-up Deposit Points
$50,000 if business located in CMM, $25,000 if business located outside CMM 30

Factor 11: Financial Resources

You must receive at least 4 points out of the maximum of 6 points for the financial resources.
Net Assets Points
$200,000 or more 6
$125,000 5
$100,000 4
Less than $100,000 Nor Eligible
Your Total Score
Pass Mark for Applicants Without Spouse 63
Pass Mark for Applicants With Spouse 70

GCYSA

QC-CYSA

WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Step 1: Start-up Deposit

You must make a start-up deposit at a financial institution located in the region where you intend to practise your trade or profession.
The start-up deposit is to set up your business. The minimum required amount is $25,000 if you set up your business outside the Montreal metropolitan area (CMM) and minimum $50,000 is required if the business is located in the CMM.
It is your responsibility to find a financial institution in Quebec to make the start-up deposit. Financial transactions pertaining to the start-up deposits must be carried out according to the terms and conditions defined by the financial institution chosen.
The transfer of sums for start-up to a financial institution in Quebec must only be done after receipt of the letter confirming the opening of your file. After receipt of this letter you will be asked to submit the Attestation of Balance for start-up deposit issued by your financial institution.

Step 2: Submit Application for a Quebec Selection Certificate

If you meet all minimum requirements including making your start-up deposit, you may submit your application under Quebec Self-employed Worker Program.
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 Application
Submit Application:

MDirection 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

Official Program Guide:
immilib.com/QSE-Guide
Quebec Application Fee:
Main applicant: $1,211
Spouse: $192
Each child: $192
Processing Time:
Not available
Document Checklist:

immilib.com/QSE-Doc

(page 25)

Contact:

Tel: 514-864-9191

Fax: 514-864-8158

immilib.com/Q-Contact

(general questions)

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.

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, experience, language, stay and family in Quebec;
  • net assets and proof of their source and lawful acquisition; and
  • proof of start-up deposit.
The following are what may happen after you submit your application:
  1. Decision based on file: Your application is processed and approved or refused based on your file and no interview is required.
  2. Intent to refuse: You receive a letter asking you to provide further information/documents within sixty (60) days.
  3. 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 selection 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 Montreal-Trudeau international Airport, you will be greeted by the personnel of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Integration 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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