Three programs serve three different business profiles.
| Program | Best fit | Core distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Investor | Experienced managers with substantial lawfully acquired assets | Passive 5-year investment and financial contribution through an authorized intermediary, plus Québec stay requirements. |
| Entrepreneur — innovative business | Founders with an innovative project supported by an eligible organization | Support offer and business plan; applications may be submitted at any time under the current instructions. |
| Entrepreneur — start/acquire or takeover | Experienced entrepreneurs who will own and actively operate a Québec business | Business plan, ownership/control, net worth and operating commitments depend on the component. |
| Self-employed worker | Professionals who will practise independently in Québec | Relevant self-employment experience, net worth, start-up deposit and ability to practise the profession. |
Investor Program: every current threshold and obligation.
There is no generic Investor points total. This is a mandatory-condition and documentary program: missing one threshold cannot be offset by a higher score elsewhere.
| Requirement | Current rule | Evidence / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Management | At least 2 years in the 5 years before applying | Planning, management and control of financial, human or material resources in a qualifying role; excluded sectors must be checked. |
| Net worth | At least CAD $2,000,000 | Lawfully acquired, alone or with the accompanying spouse; the legal origin and accumulation must be documented. |
| Education | At least the Québec-equivalent qualifying secondary or vocational/college credential | The diploma must have been obtained before the application. |
| French | Québec oral level 7+ for the principal applicant | Accepted test/diploma evidence; test validity rules apply. |
| Investment agreement | Authorized financial intermediary only | Use Québec's current authorized-intermediary list; the intermediary makes both payments after MIFI's request. |
| Investment | CAD $1,000,000 for 5 years | Made through the intermediary to IQII; the term investment is government guaranteed under the published terms. |
| Contribution | CAD $200,000 | Separate financial contribution; do not confuse it with the refundable term investment. |
| Québec stay | 12 months within 2 years after the work permit is issued | At least 6 months by the principal applicant; the other 6 months by the principal applicant or accompanying spouse/partner. |
Investor timeline: application, investment, work permit, stay and CSQ.
- 01
Sign the investment agreement with an authorized financial intermediary and prepare the management, education, French, net-worth and source-of-funds evidence.
- 02
Mail the complete permanent-selection application to MIFI. Applications may currently be submitted at any time with no published maximum; the 2026 principal-applicant review fee is CAD $18,241 and is non-refundable.
- 03
When MIFI requests it, the intermediary makes the CAD $1,000,000 investment and CAD $200,000 contribution within the specified deadline.
- 04
After the notice of intent to select, apply to IRCC for the work permit within 6 months.
- 05
Complete the 12-month Québec-stay requirement within 2 years of work-permit issuance and send proof to MIFI.
- 06
After Québec confirms selection and issues the CSQ, apply to IRCC for permanent residence; federal medical, criminal, security and admissibility checks remain.
Entrepreneur Program: innovative project or active start/acquisition.
Innovative business
Start an innovative company or carry out an innovative project with support from an eligible accompanying organization; submit the service offer and business plan.
Start or acquire
Actively manage a new or acquired business and satisfy current ownership, start-up, net-worth and deposit requirements.
Takeover
Acquire and operate an existing business under the component's ownership, valuation and continuity rules.
Early entry
After Québec selection, some entrepreneurs may use the applicable federal work-permit support process to begin the project before PR.
Self-Employed Worker Program: practise your profession independently.
- 01
At least 2 years of relevant self-employed experience in the 5 years before applying under the current rules.
- 02
Net worth of at least CAD $100,000, lawfully acquired, subject to the program's treatment of recent gifts.
- 03
A start-up deposit with a Québec financial institution: verify the current amount for Montréal versus outside Montréal.
- 04
Meet the education, professional authorization, French and ability-to-practise requirements that apply to the occupation.
- 05
Use NOC and regulatory information where the profession is regulated, although this is not a NOC points program.
Québec selection comes before federal permanent residence.
- 01
Choose the exact business program and component; forms are not interchangeable.
- 02
Confirm the application period, quota, fees and current documentary checklist.
- 03
Document assets, legal accumulation of funds, management/self-employment experience, business plan and supporting organization or intermediary as applicable.
- 04
Submit the Québec permanent-selection application and respond to verification or interview requests.
- 05
If approved, receive the CSQ and complete any post-selection business, investment, deposit or residence commitments.
- 06
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence; Canada makes the final admissibility and PR decision.
Why there is no generic Québec business calculator.
These programs do not share one public, stable points grid. The decisive issues are program-specific mandatory conditions, intake, documentary proof and Québec's assessment. A single score would be misleading.
The right tools for this pathway
No points calculator is appropriate for the current Québec business programs. Use the exact Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-Employed conditions and current intake page.
Find the likely pathway and missing requirements.
PSTQ uses dynamic invitation scores and filters, while business programs are condition-based. This checker reviews pathway minimums; it does not predict a future cut-off or Québec decision.
Complete the mandatory conditions below
- ○ At least 2 years of qualifying management in the last 5 years
- ○ Lawfully acquired net worth of at least CAD $2,000,000
- ○ Qualifying diploma obtained before applying
- ○ Québec oral French level 7 or higher
- ○ Agreement with a Québec-authorized financial intermediary
- ○ Able to make the CAD $1,000,000 five-year investment
- ○ Able to make the separate CAD $200,000 contribution
- ○ Able to complete the 12-month Québec stay obligation
Québec business programs do not share a points total, and a missing mandatory condition cannot be offset elsewhere. Verify current intake, forms and checklist before paying or filing.
Official sources
Verify current rules at the authority.
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Program status, intake and criteria can change.