Quebec has announced new rules regarding applications for a Certificat de sélection du Québec submitted under the province’s Investor Program. The announcement was made by the provincial government’s immigration ministry on August 27 in a Gazette Officielle du Québec.

The adoption of the new rules came into immediate effect and will last until March 31, 2015. The intake dates for applications submitted under the Investor Program are from January 5 to 30, 2015. Applicants therefore have time to prepare applications before submission.

A maximum of 1750 applications for a selection certificate under the Investor Program will be accepted, of which there will be a maximum of 1200 from candidates from the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macao). Investor candidates who demonstrate, by means of a test recognized by the Ministry, that they have an advanced intermediate knowledge of French are not subject to this cap. By limiting the number of applications received, the Ministry expects that it will be able to process a greater number of pending applications, thereby reducing processing times.

Applicants under the Quebec Investor Program must have the intention of living in the province of Quebec. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate a net worth of at least CAD$1.6 million and agree to invest CAD$800,000. He or she must also have two years of management experience (planning, supervision and control of the financial and the human or physical resources) over the course of five years prior to the submission of the application, and pass a medical examination and security background check.