Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

Eligibility inputs for Quebec self-employed workers.

Last verified: Aug 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What net worth must a self-employed applicant show?

Net worth of $100,000, lawfully acquired and counted alongside a spouse's. It is the lowest threshold of the Quebec business programs that set one, and it is tested separately from the startup deposit rather than as one pot. The low threshold buys no relief on the personal conditions: at least 18 years old and secondary education or higher refuse a file on their own.

Which occupations can apply through the self-employed program?

Most professions and trades are eligible: independent professionals, consultants, tradespeople, cultural workers, athletes, and skilled craftspeople. The applicant must demonstrate two years of self-employment in the profession over the last five years. Salaried employment in the same field does not qualify; the program is specifically for those who will continue working on their own account in Quebec.

Which occupations are explicitly excluded?

MIFI explicitly excludes three occupation categories: payday-loan operations, sex industry services, and real-estate brokerage. Applications in these categories are refused regardless of meeting other criteria. The embedded checker flags these automatically when the applicable occupation category is selected.

What is the startup deposit and where is it held?

The deposit is $25,000 if the self-employment activity will take place outside the Montreal Metropolitan Area, or $50,000 if it will be in the Montreal Metropolitan Area. The deposit is held by a Quebec-licensed financial intermediary and is released back to the applicant once they begin their self-employed activity in Quebec. It is not a fee. It is a refundable security.

Is the French requirement different for self-employed workers?

No. The principal applicant still needs spoken French at level 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (roughly CEFR B2), the same level as the entrepreneur and investor programs. The lower financial threshold of the self-employed program does not extend to a relaxed French requirement. Level 7 reflects MIFI's view that practising a profession on your own account in Quebec requires functional spoken French.