Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Eligibility inputs for Quebec entrepreneur streams.

Last verified: Aug 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Which conditions apply to every entrepreneur stream?

Three conditions are program-wide and are refusal grounds on their own, whichever stream you choose: at least 18 years old, secondary education or higher, and a business outside payday lending, sex-industry services, and real-estate brokerage. Your stream then fixes what kind of evidence the file needs, and your profile within that stream sets the money.

Stream 1, Innovative Business: who qualifies?

Stream 1 is for entrepreneurs starting or carrying out an innovative project in Quebec. There is no minimum net worth, but you must contribute at least 10% of the business value as capital, hold a service offer from an innovation-specialized support organization recognized by Quebec, and meet the oral French level 7 requirement (Échelle québécoise) plus secondary education minimum. The 'startup' profile is for applicants arriving from abroad; the 'innovative-project' profile requires two years of prior Quebec residence with work authorization.

Stream 2, Business Startup: thresholds and profiles?

The 'startup' profile (starting or acquiring a business from abroad) requires $600K net worth, a $300K deposit if the business is in the Montreal Metropolitan Area or $150K elsewhere, two years of management experience, and 25% capital contribution to the business value. The 'already-started' profile (already operating in Quebec for two years with work authorization) lowers the net worth requirement to $300K and waives the deposit.

Stream 3, Takeover: thresholds and profiles?

The 'acquiring' profile (taking over an existing Quebec business that has been operating for at least five years) requires $600K net worth, a $300K Montreal / $150K elsewhere deposit, a service offer from a takeover-specialized support organization, and two years of management experience. The 'acquired' profile (already acquired and operating the business with two years of Quebec residency) lowers the net worth to $300K and waives the deposit.

When is a support-organization service offer mandatory?

A valid service offer from a Quebec-approved support organization is mandatory for both profiles of the Innovative Business stream and both profiles of the Takeover stream, the 'acquired' profile included. Innovative Business requires an innovation-specialized support org; Takeover requires a takeover-specialized one, evidenced by the Offre de service en repreneuriat form either way. The Business Startup stream does not require a support-org offer. The list of approved support organizations is published on quebec.ca.

What is the French requirement for entrepreneurs?

Principal applicants need spoken French at level 7 or higher on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (roughly CEFR B2), shown through a recognized French test (TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TCF Canada, or TCF Québec). The level applies to all three streams and both profiles. There is no formal upper limit, but additional points or processing priority may follow with higher levels. Spouses are not subject to the principal-applicant French level for these programs.