Immigrating to Québec to do business

Selection and admission of candidates

Through an agreement reached with Canada, Québec is solely responsible for selecting immigrants who want to settle on its territory to start their own business. The candidates are selected by the Québec immigration office or the service centre for businesspeople that cover their country. Canada then grants them a permanent residence visa if they meet the Canadian health and safety conditions.

To be selected as a business immigrant, a candidate must be committed to making an investment that would generate significant economic benefits for Québec, specifically:

• by starting up a business project that will create employment (Entrepreneurs Program)
• by participating in its economic development through a significant capital investment (Investors Program)
• or by creating his or her own employment as a self-employed and practicing professional (Self-Employed Workers Program).

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	You want to submit an official immigration application. It is important to know that no priority or preferential processing of files will be granted to applicants who are represented by an immigration intermediary.

Exploratory trip

The experience of many business immigrants shows that it is best to dedicate a year or two to well prepare your immigration project. It is the ideal time to take one or several exploratory trips to Québec.

The vast territory of Québec is divided into 17 regions with specific attractions to discover. Several regions offer interesting business opportunities and are eager to welcome immigrants.

Business project

Several resources are available to help you develop, evaluate, and couch on paper your business project. Be sure to take advantage of them. Developing a business project is part of the conditions for successfully doing business in Québec.

Preparing before your departure

Take advantage of the waiting time to obtain your permanent resident visa to well prepare yourself. It will make the integration process for you and your family easier.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	A typical procedure, based on the actual experience of many immigrants, is proposed to prospective canadidates who wish to immigrate to Québec as businesspeople. It provides an idea of the steps to undertake to successfully complete an immigration project. If you have not yet decided to immigrate to Québec, this typical procedure will provide all the information that you need to make informed choices. If you have already made your decision, find a way to save time. The typical procedure provides advice to assist you throughout the business, immigration and integration procedures.

To learn more Businesspeople Typical procedure for someone who wants to immigrate to Québec to do business: steps to submit an official application for immigration, required conditions, selection process, exploratory trip, developing business projects, preparing before departure, procedures to start a business, integration process at your arrival, etc.