Quebec
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is a business immigration program reserved for businesspeople interested in bringing an economic contribution to Quebec’s economy, and who express the intent to apply for Quebec immigration. With its safe investment structure and its joint administration between private and public entities, it remains one of the globe’s most sought after business immigration programs. The processing of applications is managed by the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, the Ministère de l’Immigration de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI).
What are the selection criteria?
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Have, alone or with his accompanying spouse, including de facto spouse, net assets of at least $2,000,000 CAN obtained legally, excluding the amounts received by donation less than six months before the date on which the application was filed.
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Assets can include real estate, bank assets, term deposits, shares in corporations, stock, a variety of financial products, etc.
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The source of funds leading to the accumulation of those net assets must also be explained and documented, to show it was earned legally;
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Have relevant experience in management in a business;
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The Ministry defines management experience as the exercise, for at least two years in the five years preceding the application for a selection certificate, of duties related to the planning, management and control of financial resources and of human or material resources under the applicant’s authority. The experience does not include experience acquired in the context of an apprenticeship, training or specialization process attested to by a diploma.
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Intend to settle in Québec and sign an agreement to invest $1,200,000 CAN with a financial intermediary authorized to participate in the Investor Program, such as RCI.
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There is a possibility to finance the investment. Please contact your local agent for more information.
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Are there any language requirements?
Contrary to several immigration services and programs in Canada and in Quebec, it is not mandatory to speak either French or English in order to qualify under the immigrant investor program.
Candidates who have an upper intermediary level in oral French will however get a preferential treatment under the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (see below).
What is the program’s annual quota?
The MIDI has established a yearly intake quota of 1,900 applications. The file intake period varies from year to year, and is announced on the MIDI website. On demand as well as through its newsletters, Renaissance Capital can provide you with the information when it becomes publicly available.
French speaking candidates are however exempted from the global quota applicable to the QIIP, and may submit their applications at any time during the year. Such files will receive a priority treatment by MICC. In order to qualify for this exemption, a QIIP candidate must demonstrate an upper intermediate (B2) level in spoken French.
What are the recognized French language tests?
Standardized tests that are accepted by MIDI to support French upper intermediate proficiency are the following:
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Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ)
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Test de connaissance de français (TCF)
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Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ)
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Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
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Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
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Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
Information for the TCFQ, TCF, DELF and DALF is available at the following link : www.ciep.fr/tcf_quebec/index.php etwww.ciep.fr/delfdalf/annuaire_centres.php
Information for the TEFAQ and TEF is available at the following link: www.fda.ccip.fr/tef/tefaq
The Canadian federal government announced in 2014 that it was closing its immigrant investor program. Is the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program affected by this announcement?
No. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is not affected by the announcement to close the federal immigrant investor program.
