Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Operated by Leduc Capital Management Inc.

Launched in January 2024, The Quebec Entrepreneur Program offers business people who wish to settle in Quebec and Canada the opportunity to do so by starting or acquiring a business. There are three business streams available under this program:

  • Innovative company
  • Business start-ups
  • Business Acquisition

General Conditions

  • Education: Hold a diploma that, in Quebec, corresponds at least to a high school diploma.
  • Knowledge of French: Have an oral knowledge of French corresponding to level 7 on the Échelle Québécoise des niveaux de compétences en francais.
  • Financial autonomy: Provide for your basic needs and those of your accompanying family members.
  • Age: At least 18 years old.

Fees

  • Principal claimant: CAD $1,211
  • Spouse or common-law partner: CAD $192
  • Each dependent child: CAD$192
  • Documentation translation fees
  • Medical, biometric and French language testing fees
  • Fees related to your business project
  • Etc.
CONTACT US TO START YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY TO QUEBEC

Program Advantages

Fast processing time of approximately 6 months due to their being no backlog.
Enjoy the same benefits as Canadians (free public education, access to world-class universities, universal health care, etc.).
Low investment requirement of CA$150,000 (business outside of Montreal) to CA$300,000 (business in Montreal area).

Conditions specific to Innovative Business or Project Stream

  • Business partners: You can start your business alone or with up to three foreign investors who are also applying to the entrepreneur program.
  • Equity participation: At least 10% of the value of the business you are about to start.
  • Business plans: A business plan must be submitted with your application.
  • Accompaniment by an organization specialized in innovation: Your business plan must have been the subject of a service offer from an organization specialized in innovation and committed to supporting you in the realization of your business.
 

Conditions specific to Business Start-Up Stream

  • Business partners: You can start your business alone or with up to three people who are also applying to the entrepreneur program.
  • Management experience: At least two years of business management experience within the five years preceding the application.
  • Net Worth: Have a net worth of $600,000 CAD and be able to demonstrate the lawful origin and accumulation of the net worth.
  • Business plan: The business project must be presented in a business plan to be attached to your application.
  • Quebec Notice of Intent to Select: If you meet the program conditions, you will receive a Notice of Intent to Select. This allows you to apply for a work permit from the government to start up your business in Quebec. Once received, you will be able to start the business, and you will need to demonstrate actual business start-up to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
  • Business start-up: The business must be started up in Quebec no later than two years after the work permit is issued. The company must have been registered for at least one year at the time the CSQ documentation is sent to justify its start-up.
  • Investment amount: Minimum amount of CDN$300,000 (Montreal area) or CDN$150,000 (outside Montréal).
  • Participation in the company's capital: Minimum 25% of the company's value (total capital).
 

Conditions specific to Business Acquisition Stream

  • Net worth: Have a net worth of CAD$600,000 and be able to demonstrate the lawful origin and accumulation of the assets.
  • Business partners: Alone or with the person accompanying you as your spouse.
  • Control of the business: You must acquire control of the business alone or with the person accompanying you.
  • Expenses for acquisition: Minimum amount of $300,000 CDN (Montréal area) or $150,000 CDN (outside Montréal).
  • Accompaniment by an organization specializing in business acquisitions: You can consult the Centre de transfert des entreprises du Québec (CTEQ) website for more information.
  • The selected company must have been in operation for at least 5 years in Québec. The business must not have been acquired by a person selected under the Entrepreneur program within the 5 years preceding the application, or by a group of people whose controlling person was selected under the Entrepreneur program.
  • If you have business partners who acquire the company at the same time as you, they cannot apply for permanent selection as an entrepreneur.