The federal government of Canada and the government of Quebec have an agreement that allows Quebec to select immigrants for that province.  Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec is able to establish its own requirement and select immigrants who are best suited for living in Quebec.  The federal government’s responsibility under the Accord is to assess an applicant’s admissibility and issue permanent resident visas.

Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Investor Program
Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program
Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Investor Program*

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada through Quebec’s Investor Program you must:

1)  Have a minimum net worth of CAD $1,600,000;

2)  Have a minimum of two years management experience in the 5 years before your application;

3)  Invest CAD $800,000 for five years with an approved financial institution at 0% interest.   No further payment will be required from you.  At the end of the 5 year term your CDN $800,000 will be repaid to you. 

We can arrange financing for you with major Canadian banks in which case you will only deposit roughly CDN $180,000 and finance the balance of CDN $800,000 investment requirement.  Once the loan is advanced, no monthly payments are required to service the loan and you will not receive any interest or capital return at maturity.  The total cost of this financing package is therefore limited to your initial CDN $180,000 deposit.

4)  Earn sufficient points in the selection factors to meet the pass mark. 

The participating banks in the Quebec Investor Program are large, well-known Canadian banks with many offices and branches overseas.  They are among the world’s largest banking and financial service organizations.

Features of the Investor Program

• You and your family will receive unconditional permanent resident visa; 
• You are not required to start a business in Canada;
• Your investment is fully guaranteed by the provincial government;
• The provinces control the investment during the five year lock-in period;
• No immigration conditions are imposed upon your admission to Canada;
• Your investment money will be repaid to you in 5 years.

Interview under the investor category take place in 3 to 4 months and the entire application process takes approximately 15 to 27 months.  You and your family will receive unconditional permanent resident visa. 

To book a telephone consultation and enquire about this visa or to obtain professional assistance in applying for this visa, please contact Maryam Ossanlou at m.ossanlou@insightimmigration.com

* On March 21, 2012 Quebec immigration announced that only 2700 applications under this category will be taken in each year.  As a result this category is currently full and will re-open on March 21, 2013.

Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program

In order to be eligible for immigration to Canada via Quebec Entrepreneur program you must:

1)  Have net assets of at least CAD $300,000;

2)  Have at least three years of management experience;

3)  Submit a business plan to establish or acquire a business in Quebec that you will manage yourself or as a partner in management and day to day operations, and that will employ at least three Quebec residents other than yourself and members of your immediate family; and

4)  For at least one year in the three years after becoming a permanent resident you must:

• control at least 1/3 of the capital of an eligible Canadian business;
• manage the business actively and continuously;
• create the equivalent of at least one full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents other than yourself and members of your family.

Immigration to Canada under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program

In order to come to Canada as a Quebec skilled worker, you must first apply to the government of Quebec for a Selection Certificate or a Certificat de Selection du Quebec (CSQ).  After you receive your Selection Certificate, you apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence where an immigration officer will assess your admissibility and issue permanent resident visas.

You will not be assessed based on the six selection factors of the federal skilled workers as Quebec has its own selection criteria.  Should you wish to see if you could be eligible for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), please complete our assessment form.

To qualify as a Quebec skilled worker, you must comply with one of these three prerequisites:

1)  Assured employment If you have a validated job offer for a permanent full-time position in a high skilled occupation from a Quebec employer, at least six months of full-time experience in any occupation and you score at least 60 points (68 points if married or in a common-law relationship) under the Quebec skilled workers selection grid you may be eligible for a Quebec Selection Certificate.  A Quebec government body will determine if the job should be approved.

2)  Occupations in demand If your occupation is listed in the occupations in demand, and you have at least six months of full-time work experience, and you score at least 60 points (68 points if married, or in a common-law relationship) under the Quebec skilled worker selection grid, you may be eligible for a Quebec Selection Certificate.

OR

3)  Employability and occupational mobility If you have at least 6 months of full-time work experience, you score at least 30 points (35 points if married, or in a common-law relationship) under the Employability and Occupational Mobility selection grid, and then at least 60 points (68 points if married or in a common-law relationship) under the Quebec Skilled Worker selection grid, you may be eligible for a Quebec Selection Certificate.

As a Quebec skilled worker applicant, you will most likely be required to attend a selection interview with an immigration officer where your documentation will be reviewed.