What is a qualifying business idea?

Your idea is considered a qualifying idea when it has the potential to create jobs, encourage innovation, and contribute to Manitoba’s economy.

What is a designated organization?

Designated organizations are business incubators, accelerators, and investors in Manitoba that the provincial government has approved to support entrepreneurs through the Start-up Visa Program.

How much settlement funds are required?

You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support your living and your dependents in Manitoba. The required amount depends on the size of the family and some other factors.

Quebec Self-Employed Program

Q: How long does the application process take?

Once you receive a Letter of Support from a designated organization and submit your application, it will take anything in between 6 months and a year.

The Quebec Self-Employed Program provides a pathway for individuals with experience in self-employment, cultural activities, athletics, or other creative self-employed professionals to apply for permanent residency in Quebec, Canada. Candidates must obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Quebec selection certificate) before officially applying for Canadian permanent residency.

Move to Quebec as a Self-Employed Worker

Understanding the Meaning of Self-Employment in Canada and its Necessary Requirements

The program aims to attract individuals who have the potential to positively impact Quebec’s cultural and economic sectors. Applications are assessed based on the applicant’s background, expertise, financial situation, and self-employment strategy.

Those who are approved, along with their families, will be able to gain permanent residency in Quebec, opening access to a range of social advantages and routes to Canadian citizenship.

In Canada, a self-employed individual is someone who works independently rather than being a hired employee. They either run their own business or offer services as freelance contractors. Typically, self-employed individuals have the flexibility to set their schedule and select their clients, and they may work for multiple clients simultaneously.

You can either apply for:

Federal Self-Employed Program
Provincial Nominee Programs for Self-Employed Workers
Immigrate to Québec as a Self-Employed Worker

Who is Eligible for Quebec Self-Employed Program?

You must carefully understand all the requirements for the Quebec self-employed stream and see whether you fulfil these criteria.

Work Experience

You must demonstrate at least 2 years of experience as a self-employed worker in the profession that you wish to continue in Quebec.
To be considered for the position, your work experience must be gained in an eligible industry.
Ineligible sectors: cashing checks, pledging loans, or payday loans; manufacturing, marketing, or selling of pornographic or sexually explicit goods or services associated with the sex business, such as erotic massages, escort services, or nude or sensual dance; Property-related activities include development, leasing, brokerage, trading, and planning.

Net Worth

You must have at least CAD 100,000 to demonstrate your financial ability to sustain in the province.
The funds can be shared with your common-law partner or spouse, but you will need to prove that it has been legally acquired.

Education

You must possess a diploma that is equivalent to a secondary school diploma in Québec, obtained prior to the date of submission of your application.

Language Proficiency

You must have a minimum knowledge of spoken French corresponding to at least level 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français.
Even if French is your mother tongue, you need to demonstrate this proficiency.
Accepted French assessment tests and diplomas include TCF-Québec, TCF-Canada, TCF, DALF, DELF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, and TEF.

Start-Up Deposit

Upon receiving confirmation of your file opening, initiate an initial deposit with a financial institution in the region where you intend to work in your profession.
The start-up deposit amounts to CAD 25,000 outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) and CAD 50,000 within the CMM territory.

Attestation

Once your file is activated, you must acquire proof of understanding of democratic and Québec values.
You and your family members must obtain this attestation within 60 days of receiving the request.

Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract

Upon obtaining permanent resident status, you are required to sign a contract committing to meet your essential needs, as well as those of your accompanying family members and any dependent children who are Canadian citizens, for a period of three months