Quebec operates its own business immigration selection system under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration (1991), which gives Quebec exclusive authority to select immigrants who intend to settle in the province. Quebec's business immigration programs cover three streams: investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed persons. Unlike other Canadian provinces, which participate in the federal Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Quebec runs a fully independent selection system — prospective Quebec business immigrants must first obtain a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) from Quebec's Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) and then apply to IRCC for federal permanent residence. The federal Immigrant Investor Program has been closed since 2014 and is entirely separate.

For current eligibility requirements, financial thresholds, application procedures, and intakes, refer to the IRCC Quebec business immigration page and the Quebec MIFI business immigration page. Financial thresholds for the investor stream are set by Quebec regulation and change over time — always verify current requirements with MIFI.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), s 8 — federal-provincial immigration agreements; Quebec's special agreement
• Canada-Quebec Accord relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens (1991) — the bilateral agreement giving Quebec exclusive selection authority for permanent immigrants intending to settle in Quebec
• An Act respecting immigration to Québec (RLRQ c I-0.2.1) — the Quebec statute governing immigration selection in the province
• IRCC: Quebec business immigration — canada.ca/quebec-business
• Quebec MIFI: Business people — immigration.gouv.qc.ca/business

The Canada-Quebec Accord — why Quebec is different

Under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has exclusive authority to select immigrants who intend to settle in Quebec under the economic class. This means:

• Federal business immigration programs (the closed Immigrant Investor Program, the Start-Up Visa Program, the federal Self-Employed Persons Program) do not apply to persons intending to settle in Quebec
• Quebec-selected business immigrants are not processed through Express Entry, SkillSelect, or provincial nominee streams
• After Quebec issues a CSQ, IRCC's role is limited to confirming federal admissibility (health, character, security) and issuing the permanent residence confirmation — IRCC does not re-assess selection

The federal government retains authority over inadmissibility assessments — it can refuse a federal permanent residence application even where Quebec has issued a CSQ, if the person is found inadmissible on health, criminality, or security grounds.

The two-step process — CSQ then federal PR

All Quebec business immigration follows a two-step process:

1. Step 1 — CSQ from Quebec (MIFI): The applicant submits an application to MIFI for a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) under the appropriate business stream. Quebec assesses the application against its own criteria — net worth, investment amount, business experience, education, French language skills (weighted in scoring), and the applicant's intention to settle in Quebec
2. Step 2 — Federal permanent residence (IRCC): After receiving the CSQ, the applicant applies to IRCC for permanent residence confirmation, providing the CSQ along with standard federal documentation (forms, police certificates, medical examinations, biometrics). IRCC processes the application for admissibility

The investor stream

The Quebec Investor stream is for persons with significant personal net worth who wish to make a prescribed passive investment in Quebec. Key features:

• Requires a minimum net worth — the amount is set by Quebec regulation and has been subject to change; for current thresholds, refer to the Quebec MIFI investor page
• Requires a passive investment (managed through an approved intermediary) for a prescribed period — the investment is returned to the investor after the term ends
• The investor must have at least 2 years of business management experience in the preceding 5 years
• The investor must intend to settle in Quebec (though they can relocate within Canada after obtaining permanent residence, as mobility rights are protected under IRPA)
• Points for French language proficiency are weighted positively in the Quebec selection grid

The investor program periodically opens and closes for intake management. An open work permit is available to Quebec investors who have received a Notice of Intent to Select from MIFI — allowing the investor to work for any employer in Quebec while the permanent residence application is being processed.

The entrepreneur stream

The Quebec Entrepreneur stream is for persons who wish to own and actively manage a business in Quebec. Unlike the passive investor stream, entrepreneurs must be operationally involved in the business. Key requirements:

• Must have business management experience and a minimum qualifying net worth (amounts set by Quebec regulation — refer to MIFI for current thresholds)
• Must create or acquire a business in Quebec that meets minimum equity and employment creation requirements
• Must own a prescribed percentage of the business
• Selection is typically conditional — entrepreneurs receive a conditional permanent visa and must demonstrate their business is operational within a prescribed period (assessed at a compliance interview with MIFI)

For the current entrepreneur stream requirements and any open intake periods, refer to the Quebec MIFI entrepreneur page.

The self-employed stream

The Quebec Self-Employed stream is for persons who intend to create their own employment in Quebec — for example, a freelancer, consultant, artist, or tradesperson. This is distinct from the federal Self-Employed Persons Program (which targets athletes, farmers, and cultural contributors). Quebec's self-employed stream covers a broader range of occupations. The applicant must demonstrate:

• Intent to become self-employed in Quebec in an occupation for which they have skills and experience
• Financial capacity to establish and sustain the self-employment activity
• Quebec may require the occupation to be in demand or to contribute to Quebec's economic goals

For current self-employed stream requirements, refer to the Quebec MIFI self-employed page.

The federal Immigrant Investor Program — permanently closed

The federal Immigrant Investor Program (for persons intending to settle outside Quebec) was permanently closed to new applications in February 2014. Persons outside Quebec who wish to invest in Canada as a pathway to permanent residence must use other pathways — such as the federal Start-Up Visa Program, provincial investor/entrepreneur streams in other provinces' PNPs, or qualifying through Express Entry independently. The Quebec investor program is entirely independent and remains active.

Quebec business immigration is one of the most distinct and autonomous parts of the Canadian immigration system. The Canada-Quebec Accord gives Quebec a level of selection independence that no other province has — Quebec essentially runs its own immigration selection system for economic class immigrants. The financial thresholds for the investor and entrepreneur streams are set by Quebec regulation and can change when the program opens new intakes. Persons interested in the Quebec investor or entrepreneur streams should verify current intake status and financial requirements directly with MIFI, as these programs have historically had limited intake windows and high demand. For current program requirements, intake status, and application guides for all three streams, refer to the IRCC Quebec business immigration page and the Quebec MIFI business immigration page.