Quebec Entrepreneur Program

This stream allows you to obtain a two-year temporary work permit, as well as an open work permit for your spouse to carry out your project, and then, when you meet the program requirements, you and your family will be eligible to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.

This is a restricted program, with limited space. Contact us today to verify your eligibility.

Program Benefits

• You can settle in Canada as soon as you obtain your CSQ with a work permit;
• Your spouse obtains an open work permit;
• No minimum net equity requirement for applicants who have obtained the support of an incubator, business accelerator or university entrepreneurship centre.
• Up to four entrepreneurs can submit a project in a single application;
• Knowledge of French is not a requirement. However, individuals who show their proficiency in French will not be subject to the quota restrictions;
• Age is not an elimination factor.

Stream 1 – Business start up

• Create and operate a business in Quebec;
• Obtain a service offer from a business accelerator or incubator or a university entrepreneurship center;
• Submit a business project;
• Applicants who have already launched their business project in Quebec may still be eligible for the Program, as long as the project is not yet fully implemented before submitting a permanent selection application.

Stream 2 – Create or Acquire a Business

Option 1 – Create a Business

• Create a business to be carried out in Quebec;
• Have a minimum net worth of C$900,000, alone or with your spouse;
• Intend to invest at least C$300,000 to create a business in the Montréal Metropolitan Community (MMC) or C$200,000 to create a business outside the CMM* (and acquire a minimum equity interest of 25%);
• Make a C$200,000* security deposit with a financial institution (the deposit is refunded in full when the business project is achieved);
• Submit a business project;
• Applicants who have already launched their business project in Quebec may still be eligible for the Program, as long as the project is not yet fully implemented before submitting a permanent selection application.

Option 2 – Acquire a Business

• Acquire a business to be carried out in Quebec;
• Have a minimum net worth of C$900,000, alone or with your spouse;
• Intend to invest at least C$300,000 in a business in the Montréal Metropolitan Community (MMC) or C$200,000 in a business outside the CMM* (and acquire a minimum equity interest of 51%);
• Make a C$200,000* security deposit with a financial institution (the deposit is refunded in full when the business project is achieved);
• Submit a business project;
• Applicants who have already launched their business project in Quebec may still be eligible for the Program, as long as the project is not yet fully implemented before submitting a permanent selection application.

* Note that the investment and security deposit terms may be amended when the program is re-opened.

Services offered:

• Prepare the applicant’s business plan.
• For Stream 1, AURAY Capital can find an incubator/accelerator to support the project.
• For Stream 2, AURAY Capital can undertake a due diligence review to validate the C$900,000 net worth requirement.
• Complete and submit the documentation required for the various governments.
• Identify a financial institution that will accept the security deposit.

Preparing the application:

1. The applicant must provide the required documents for a preliminary analysis to AURAY Capital.
2. If the preliminary analysis is satisfactory, the applicant must obtain the documents required in accordance with government standards and submit them and the required costs to AURAY Capital.
3. AURAY Capital prepares the application and ensures it is complete.
4. The application is submitted to the Quebec government.

After the application has been submitted:

1. The applicant may be called to a selection interview in Montréal.
2. Eligible applicants receive a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) (Quebec selection certificate) and a letter of support to obtain a work permit.
3. An application for permanent residency and work permit is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
4. The application and his/her spouse, if any, receive a work permit allowing them to come to Quebec to start their business project.
5. Recipients of a CSQ will receive a permanent resident visa (after a medical, criminal and security background check).
6. The security deposit is reimbursed once the business project has been carried out (for a period of 12 months during the 36 months following receipt of the CSQ).