The Quebec Self-Employed Program allows qualified individuals to immigrate to Quebec by creating their own employment through professional practice or commercial activities. This program is distinct from the Skilled Worker Selection Program, as applicants must demonstrate that they will work independently and meet specific conditions set by Quebec’s immigration authorities.
On This Page You Will Find
- Key conditions of the Quebec Self-Employed Program
- Sectors that are not eligible for the program
- Net worth, education, and language requirements
- Details on the start-up deposit and financial self-sufficiency
- Quebec values attestation requirements for applicants and families
Conditions For Eligibility
To qualify under the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Practise in Quebec
You must carry out your professional activity in Quebec, either alone or with others, with or without paid help. Some sectors are not eligible, including:
- Payday loans, cheque cashing or pledge loans
- Pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry
- Property trading, leasing, brokerage, development or planning
Work Experience
You must have at least two years of self-employed work experience in your profession within the five years before submitting your application. Work experience in ineligible sectors will not be accepted.
Professional Authorisation
If your profession is regulated in Quebec, you must:
- Already have authorisation to practise, or
- Hold training or a diploma partially or fully recognised by the regulatory authority in Quebec, issued within the past five years.
Applicants can consult the Qualifications Québec site or the relevant regulatory authority to determine the requirements for their profession.
Net Worth
You must show a minimum net worth of at least $100,000 CAD. This can be shared with a spouse or de facto partner included in your application. You must prove the legal origin and accumulation of your assets.
Education
You must hold at least a secondary school diploma (or its equivalent) at the time of submitting your application.
French Language Knowledge
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level 7 in spoken French according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. Accepted proof includes recognised test results or certain French-language diplomas. Test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.
Start-Up Deposit
Applicants must make a start-up deposit with a Quebec-based financial institution:
- $25,000 CAD if practising outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community
- $50,000 CAD if practising within the Montreal Metropolitan Community
Financial Self-Sufficiency
You must sign a contract committing to meet your essential needs and those of your accompanying family members for at least three months after becoming a permanent resident.
Quebec Values Attestation
You and your accompanying family members (spouse aged 16+ and dependent children aged 18+) must obtain an attestation of learning about democratic and Quebec values within 60 days of being asked.
Assessment Factors
Like skilled workers, self-employed applicants are assessed on several factors, including:
- Education
- Work experience
- Age
- Language proficiency
- Family in Quebec
- Financial sufficiency
- Spouse’s education, age and language ability (if applicable)
All applicants must intend to live and work in Quebec.
Once approved, applications proceed to federal security and medical checks before visas are issued. Processing times can vary.
Quebec vs. Federal Self-Employed Program: Key Differences
| Requirement | Quebec Self-Employed Program | Federal Self-Employed Program |
| Purpose | To create your own employment by practising a profession or commercial activity in Quebec | To attract individuals in cultural or athletic fields who will make a significant contribution |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years of self-employed experience in the last 5 years in your profession | At least 2 years of relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics |
| Net Worth | Minimum $100,000 CAD (legally acquired, can be shared with spouse/partner) | No set minimum net worth, but applicants must show financial ability to support themselves |
| Start-Up Deposit | $25,000 CAD outside Montreal or $50,000 CAD within Montreal | No start-up deposit required |
| Education | Minimum secondary school diploma | No formal education requirement, but selection points awarded for education |
| French Knowledge | Mandatory – minimum level 7 in spoken French on the Quebec scale | Not mandatory, but language skills in English or French improve chances under selection grid |
| Quebec Values Attestation | Required for applicant, spouse (16+) and children (18+) | Not required |
| Ineligible Sectors | Certain industries excluded (e.g. payday loans, sex industry, property speculation) | No specific sector exclusions, but focus limited to culture and athletics |
| Selection Factors | Education, work experience, age, language, family in Quebec, financial sufficiency | Education, experience, age, language, adaptability |
| Intake Quotas | Yes, capped each year, with exemptions for French-speaking candidates | No fixed quota, but applications subject to intake limits and processing pauses |
| Processing Time | Varies, typically 24–44 months including federal stage | Varies, but long backlogs – applications paused until 2027 |
Step-by-Step: Quebec Self-Employed Program
1) Confirm you are eligible
- Plan to practise your profession in Quebec – alone or with others, with or without paid help.
- Ensure you are not in an ineligible sector: payday loans, cheque cashing or pledge loans; pornographic or sex-industry services; property trading, leasing, brokerage, development or planning.
2) Verify your self-employed work experience
- Gather evidence showing at least two years of self-employed experience in your profession within the last five years.
- Make sure none of this experience was in an ineligible sector.
3) Check if your profession is regulated in Quebec
- Use Qualifications Québec to find your NOC code and see if your profession is on the Liste des professions réglementées.
- If regulated, identify the steps and documents needed to lawfully practise in Quebec.
4) Secure professional authorisation or recognition (if regulated)
- Obtain authorisation to practise in Quebec or proof that your diploma/training is partially or fully recognised by the Quebec regulator.
- Recognition proof must be issued within five years of your application date.
5) Meet the French-language requirement
- You must have spoken French at level 7 on the Échelle québécoise.
- If you need a test, book an accepted option and keep results under two years old: TCF-Québec, TCF-Canada, TCF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF, DELF or DALF.
- Certain accepted high-school diplomas in French may also satisfy this.
6) Confirm your minimum education
- Hold at least a secondary school diploma (or Quebec equivalent) on or before your application date.
7) Document your net worth and its legal origin
- Prepare proof of minimum $100,000 CAD in legally acquired assets.
- You may combine assets with your spouse or de facto partner included in the application.
- Compile evidence of the lawful accumulation of funds for both you and your spouse/partner.
8) Prepare to sign the financial self-sufficiency contract
- Review the current schedules in effect to understand the amount that applies to your family for the first three months after landing.
- You will commit to meeting your essential needs and those of accompanying family members.
9) Line up the start-up deposit funds
- Be ready to make the start-up deposit when the Ministry requests it:
- $25,000 CAD if practising outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM).
- $50,000 CAD if practising within the CMM.
- The request to deposit typically comes a few weeks after your file is opened.
10) Assemble your application package
- Include identity and civil-status documents, proof of work experience, language results or accepted diplomas, education credentials, professional authorisation/recognition (if regulated), net-worth evidence, and any supporting forms as instructed.
- Ensure translations and document formatting meet Quebec requirements.
11) Submit your application to Quebec
- File the Self-Employed Program application following the current Ministry instructions for forms, fees and submission method.
- Keep a copy of everything you submit.
12) Respond promptly after your file is opened
- Watch for the Ministry’s formal notice that your file is opened.
- When requested, make the start-up deposit with a financial institution that has an establishment in Quebec.
- Complete any additional document requests within the stated deadlines.
13) Obtain the Quebec values attestation
- After the request arrives, you and eligible family members must complete the Attestation of learning about democratic and Quebec values within 60 days.
- This applies to the principal applicant, spouse aged 16+, and dependent children aged 18+.
14) Attend a French interview if requested
- The Ministry may interview you to verify the spoken French level you declared.
15) Receive Quebec selection and proceed to the federal stage
- After Quebec selection approval, complete the federal process with IRCC for medical and security admissibility.
- Processing times vary – respond quickly to any federal requests.
FAQ
What is the Quebec Self-Employed Program?
It is an immigration pathway for individuals who create their own employment by practising a profession or engaging in commercial activities in Quebec. Unlike skilled workers, applicants must demonstrate independence and financial capacity.
How much net worth is required?
Applicants must show at least $100,000 CAD in legally acquired assets, which can be shared with a spouse or de facto partner. Proof of lawful accumulation of funds is required.
Is French language ability mandatory?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate spoken French at level 7 or higher, using approved French language tests or accepted diplomas. Results must be less than two years old.
What is the start-up deposit?
A deposit with a Quebec financial institution is required. The amount is $25,000 CAD outside the Montreal region and $50,000 CAD within Montreal. This is meant to ensure genuine settlement capacity.
Do applicants need to meet Quebec values requirements?
Yes. All applicants and accompanying family members must obtain an attestation of learning about democratic and Quebec values within 60 days of being requested.
