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• Québec aims to channel over CAD 1 billion from investor deposits into regional SME financing via Investissement Québec.

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Criterion	Minimum Standard	Proof & Notes
Net assets	≥ CAD 2 000 000	Gifted funds must be ≥ 6 months old; inheritance accepted.
Management experience	≥ 2 years (last 5)	Strategic control over ≥ 2 FTEs; excluded: payday‑loan, sex‑industry roles.
Education	At least secondary‑school diploma	Copy of diploma + certified translation.
French language	CLB 7 / TEF B2 mandatory	Official TEF/TCF score ≤ 2 yrs old.
Values attestation	Pass within 60 days of Ministère notice	Online exam for all adults 18+.
Investment agreement	Signed with authorised broker before filing	Broker attestation A‑0522‑IF.
Financial commitment	CAD 1 000 000 deposit and CAD 200 000 contribution – or approved financing (≈ CAD 350 000)	Funds due within 120 days of Ministère request.
Processing fee	CAD 17 875 principal	Payable at CSQ submission (dependants free).
Security & medical	Clear police certs; pass IRCC medical	Upfront medicals recommended.
Residency after landing	Reside ≥ 12 months in QC within first 2 years (principal ≥ 6 mo)	Utility bills, school records.

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• Held for a five‑year term by Investissement Québec.
• Government‑guaranteed; principal fully returned.

• Supports Québec’s entrepreneurship assistance fund.
• Lump‑sum wire alongside deposit.

• Bank pays deposit; you pay one‑time fee.
• Liquidity‑friendly; fee treated as business expense in many jurisdictions.

Fee Item	Amount (CAD)	When Due
CSQ processing	17 875	At filing
Third‑party integrity check	7 000–12 000	After AOR
Professional representation	30 000–50 000	Milestone instalments
Medical exam	280 / person	PR stage

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#	Milestone	Cumulative Time	Incremental Time
1	Sign investment/broker agreement & hire RCIC	Week 0	—
2	Prepare assets & translations	Weeks 1–6	1 – 6 weeks
3	Due‑diligence pre‑clearance	Weeks 7–10	1 – 4 weeks
4	Submit CSQ + CAD 17 875 fee	Week 11	immediate
5	Completeness review	Weeks 12–15	1 – 4 weeks
6	Selection interview / waiver	Months 7–10	5 – 8 months
7	Wire CAD 1 M deposit + 200 k contribution (or finance fee)	≤ 120 days after step 6	≤ 4 months
8	Receive CSQ	~Month 12	~2 months
9	Apply for federal PR	Month 13	1 month
10	IRCC security & medicals	Months 14–26	1 – 13 months
11	PR visas issued & landing	Months 26–30	0 – 4 months
12	Reside 12 mo in Québec; obtain refund at Year 5	Years 0–5	n/a

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For a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of all Canadian business programs, see the Business Immigration Pathways Comparison.

Feature	Québec Investor Program (QIIP)	Start‑Up Visa (SUV)	Owner‑Operator LMIA
Minimum cash outlay	CAD 200 000 contribution + CAD 1 000 000 refundable deposit (or ≈ CAD 350 000 financed fee)	No fixed sum, but incubators/angels expect ≥ CAD 75‑150 k capital	Business purchase/control ≥ 51 % (typ. CAD 150‑600 k)
Involvement level	Passive – no day‑to‑day ops	Active – must build innovative start‑up	Active – operate Canadian business full‑time
Language requirement	CLB 7 French mandatory	English or French (no minimum if not EE)	English or French (EE requires CLB 7/5)
Processing time to PR	≈ 26–30 months	≈ 31–37 months (IRCC backlog)	≈ 18–24 months (WP → EE)
PR guarantee	Yes, once CSQ + investment accepted	Conditional on business viability & job creation	Conditional on business performance + CRS score
Settlement obligation	≥ 12 mo in Québec within 2 yrs (principal ≥ 6 mo)	Must intend to settle outside Québec	Province tied to business location
Risk profile	Government‑guaranteed capital	High start‑up failure risk	Market/business risk

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• Universal health care, coverage begins the day you land as a permanent resident.
• Affordable education, resident tuition in Québec is up to 50 % lower than Ontario; world‑ranked universities (McGill, Université de Montréal, Laval) are minutes away.

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1. Gifted assets < 6 mo old → delay filing or provide notarised repayment schedule.
2. Experience in excluded industries → switch lead applicant or choose alternative program.
3. Late French exam booking → TEF centres fill months ahead; schedule early.
4. Values attestation missed → file within 60‑day window or lose CSQ.

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For detailed guidance on preparing your application, see How to Prepare for Immigration to Canada. If you’re comparing QIIP with other programs, read How to Choose the Right Canadian Business Immigration Program.

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🎯 Compare QIIP with Other Canadian Programs

Not sure if QIIP is right for you? See Start-Up Visa Program for innovative entrepreneurs with no net worth requirement, Provincial Nominee Programs for traditional business owners, or Residency by Investment Canada for a complete overview of all investment-based pathways. Use our How to Choose the Right Canadian Business Immigration Program decision framework to find your best option.

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