The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme gives eligible individuals the opportunity to obtain permanent residence, on condition that they can successfully establish themselves as an independent tradesperson or professional in the province.
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Overview of the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme
Quebec welcomes self-employed foreign nationals interested in coming to Quebec to work in a trade or as professionals in certain fields designated by the Quebec provincial government. Applicants must, however, work independently and not as an employee of any organisation or business.
In addition to meeting the programme’s minimum requirements, the Government of Quebec states that a self-employed person must accept the following conditions:
- Choose the means of carrying out the work.
- Organise the work.
- Provide the necessary tools and equipment.
- Perform the greater part of the professional duties.
- Take the profits and bear the risk of losses arising from the work.
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Requirements for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme
Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) states that foreign nationals interested in obtaining permanent residence in Quebec under the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme must be at least 18 years of age and meet the programme’s other requirements.
To be considered for selection, self-employed persons based in Montreal must place a start-up deposit of $50,000 CAD or more with a local financial institution. Applicants based in regions outside Montreal must deposit at least $25,000 CAD.
All applicants to the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme must achieve the pass mark on the Quebec economic selection grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme. Applicants are awarded up to 99 points (112 points where accompanied by a common-law partner) across factors including level of education, professional experience, French and English language ability, period of stay and family in Quebec, age, financial self-sufficiency, the amount deposited, and financial resources.
All applicants to the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme must demonstrate an intention to reside in Quebec. During the assessment of the application, Quebec self-employed applicants may be invited to a selection interview. Furthermore, where a self-employed applicant works in a regulated profession, they must hold training or a qualification in that profession that can be recognised in part or in full by the relevant Quebec regulatory body for that profession – within the 5 years before the application.
As at 1 January 2024, the minimum requirements for the programme are as follows:
| Factor | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Level of education | Hold a qualification obtained before the date of application corresponding at least to a Quebec secondary school diploma. |
| Professional experience as a self-employed person | Have gained at least two years of experience in the trade or profession they intend to practise after establishing themselves in Quebec. |
| Financial self-sufficiency | Submit an undertaking to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. |
| Undertaking in respect of dependants | Sign an undertaking within 3 months of obtaining permanent resident status to provide for the essential needs of accompanying family members and their dependants (even where they are dependent Canadian citizens). |
| Start-up deposit | Place a start-up deposit of at least 50,000 CAD with a local financial institution where based within the Montreal metropolitan area. Applicants based outside Montreal are required to deposit at least $25,000 CAD. |
| Minimum net assets | Lawfully hold at least $100,000 CAD in net assets, alone or with the support of a common-law partner where the common-law partner is accompanying them. |
| Language ability | HaveFrench language proficiency(speaking and listening) at level 7 or above on the Quebec French language proficiency scale. |
Find out more about the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programme on the Government website athere.
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