Quebec's Self-Employed Worker Immigration Program
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program grants qualified individuals the opportunity to obtain permanent residence provided they can effectively establish themselves as an independent tradesperson or professional in the province.
NOTE: Quebec will accept 50 applications for selection under its Self-Employed Worker Program between November 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
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About the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program
Quebec welcomes self-employed foreign nationals interested in coming to Quebec to work as an independent tradesperson or professional. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for the program, the Government of Quebec says the self-employed worker must accept the following conditions:
- choose the means of work performance;
- organize the work;
- provide the required tools and equipment;
- carry out most of the specialized duties; and
- collect the profits and support the loss risks resulting from the work.
Requirements for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program
Quebec's Immigration Ministry, the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI), says that foreign nationals interested in obtaining permanent residence in Quebec under the Self-Employed Worker Program must be at least 18 years of age and meet other program requirements.
To be considered for selection, self-employed workers based in Montreal must register a start-up deposit of $50,000 or more at a local financial institution. Candidates based in regions outside of Montreal will have to deposit at least $25,000.
All Self-Employed Worker Program candidates must meet the passing score under the Quebec Economic Class selection grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Program. Candidates will be awarded up to 99 points (112 points if accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner) for factors that include education level, professional experience, language proficiency in French and English, stay and family in Quebec, age, financial self-sufficiency, amount of deposit, and financial resources.
All Quebec Self-Employed Worker applicants must demonstrate the intention to reside in Quebec. During the review of an application, Quebec Self-employed candidates may be invited to attend a selection interview. Further if the self-employed candidate works in a regulated profession, they must have training or a diploma in that profession which can be partially or fully recognised by the relevant Quebec regulatory board for that profession—within the last 5 years prior to their application.
As of January 1st, 2024, the following are the minimum requirements for the program:
Factor | Minimum requirements |
|---|---|
Education level | Hold a diploma before the date of submission that corresponds to at least a Quebec Secondary school general diploma. |
Professional experience as a self-employed worker | Have acquired a minimum of two years of experience in the profession or trade that they intend to practice after establishing themselves in Quebec. |
Financial self-sufficiency | Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency. |
Undertaking for dependants | Sign an undertaking for 3 months from the date of obtaining permanent residence status to provide for the essential needs of accompanying family members and those of their accompanying family members (even if they are dependant Canadian citizens). |
Deposit for startup | Register a start-up deposit of at least $50,000 at a local financial institution if based in the metropolitan area of Montreal. Candidates based outside of Montreal will be required to deposit at least $25,000. |
Minimum net worth | Have legally acquired a minimum of CAD$100,000 in net worth, alone or with the help of their spouse or common-law partner in the event that the spouse or common-law partner is accompanying. |
Language proficiency | Have a knowledge of oral French (talking and listening) of a level 7 or higher according to the Quebec scale of French proficiency levels. |
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