Are you looking for a way to settle in Quebec to launch or acquire a business? Following the government announcements in November 2025, many people are asking the same question. The 2026 Immigration Plan reduces the number of permanent residents to 45,000 per year. Yet, the Entrepreneur Program continues to stand out. It remains a realistic and attractive pathway for those who want to build something concrete in Montreal or elsewhere in the province.
What exactly is the Quebec Entrepreneur Program?
This program is designed for business people who want to settle in Quebec to create economic value. It is not just a temporary visa. Once selected, you obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), after which you can apply for permanent residence. The program is specifically designed to attract profiles that bring investment, jobs, and innovation.
The program has three main streams. Each one corresponds to a different type of project:
- Stream 1: Innovative Business: You create a new business with strong innovation potential and receive support from a recognized accompanying organization (incubator or accelerator).
- Stream 2: Business Start-Up: You launch a new company and commit to actively managing it.
- Stream 3: Business Acquisition: You take over an existing business in Quebec, often in the regions, to grow it further.
These streams allow the program to adapt to your profile. Whether you are a tech innovator, an experienced manager, or a buyer looking to save a local SME, there is an option for you.
Here is a clear table that summarizes the streams to help you quickly see the differences:
| Stream | Main Objective | Key Main Requirements | Approximate Minimum Investment |
| Stream 1 (Innovative) | Create an innovative business | Support from an accompanying organization, solid business plan | Variable depending on the project |
| Stream 2 (Start-Up) | Launch a new business | Management experience (2–3 years), minimum net assets | $150,000 to $300,000, depending on the region |
| Stream 3 (Business Acquisition) | Take over an existing business | Control of the business, relevant experience | Value of the business acquisition |
The data comes directly from the official guidelines of the Government of Quebec. This table gives you a practical overview before diving into the details.
The 2026 tightening: what really changes for entrepreneurs
In November 2025, Quebec announced its Immigration Plan for 2026–2029. The clear objective? To reduce pressure on public services and housing. Result: 45,000 permanent admissions in 2026, compared to approximately 61,000 the previous year. The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has closed its doors to temporary workers and graduates. The focus is now on the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ), with a strong priority on French proficiency and prior presence in Quebec.
However, the Entrepreneur Program has not undergone the same cuts. The business people category remains open and continues to welcome between 100 and 200 admissions per year, according to recent plans. Why? These projects create direct jobs, stimulate the local economy, and meet the needs of the regions. The government still sees entrepreneurship as a positive lever, even in a context of overall tightening.
And this is good news for you. Unlike other pathways that are closing or becoming ultra-competitive, this program rewards solid, well-prepared projects that are aligned with Quebec’s priorities.
Why does the program remain accessible despite everything?
Yes, the total number of immigrants is decreasing. But for serious entrepreneurs, the door remains wide open. Here are three concrete reasons:
- The specific quotas for business people have not been drastically reduced. The government maintains its interest in foreign investment and job creation.
- The streams are designed for concrete projects. If your business plan is realistic, demonstrates clear economic impact, and meets the basic requirements, you have real chances of success.
- Montreal and Quebec need business talent. The metropolis remains a hub in artificial intelligence, clean technologies, and digital services. Operating costs are competitive, skilled labor is abundant, and access to the North American market is easy.
Detailed requirements: what you need to know to succeed
To be eligible, you must meet conditions common to all streams. These remain stable in 2026:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a secondary school diploma or its equivalent.
- Demonstrate an oral French level of 7 on the Quebec scale (an advanced intermediate level, entirely achievable with preparation).
- Have at least two years of management experience in the last five years.
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources to establish yourself and support your project.
Each stream adds its own specific rules. For example, in the Start-Up stream, you must prepare a solid business plan. This is the key element that makes the difference. It must show that your idea creates jobs, complies with environmental standards, and integrates well into the Quebec market.
The advantages of choosing Montreal and Quebec for your project
Why do so many entrepreneurs choose Montreal? The city offers a unique ecosystem. It has over 185,000 students, including 25,000 international students, which ensures a pool of motivated talent. Operating costs are lower than in major American cities, while providing access to both the Canadian and American markets. The tax regime is advantageous for new businesses, and the quality of life remains high.
In the regions, the Business Acquisition stream becomes even more attractive. Incentives are numerous and community support is strong. You contribute directly to local vitality while building your future.
How Conexa supports you to turn your project into reality
Conexa is an organization specializing in supporting entrepreneurs who wish to immigrate to Quebec and launch or acquire a business.
Made up of a team of experienced entrepreneurs, Conexa offers an integrated and personalized approach, ranging from immigration to business incubation, including business plan development, financing, and implementation in Canada.
The objective: to simplify the entrepreneurial and migratory journey so that project holders can succeed quickly in a favorable economic environment.
What Conexa does concretely
Investors and Serial Entrepreneurs: Invest in or purchase an existing Canadian business
Startup entrepreneurs: Immigrate by starting a business and creating jobs
Freelancers: Self-employed and autonomous workers looking to offer their services in Canada
Business Expansion: Grow your business by introducing it to the Canadian market
Why choose Conexa?
- Success rate above 95%: the vast majority of projects presented by Conexa are approved by the Ministry of Immigration.
- Rigorous selection: only solid and credible projects are presented, guaranteeing a high level of quality and viability.
- Accelerated process: from the first meeting to file submission, the entire process is optimized to be completed in less than 4 weeks.
- Unique entrepreneurial expertise: Conexa is, above all, entrepreneurs serving entrepreneurs, with in-depth knowledge of the Quebec business landscape.
An open door to Quebec
Conexa helps entrepreneurs settle in a province renowned for:
- Its dynamic and diversified economy
- Its highly qualified workforce
- Its competitive operating costs
- Its advantageous tax environment for businesses
Conexa: 204 Notre-Dame St West, Suite M1 Montreal, Québec H2Y 1T3
Practical steps to submit your application
Here are the main steps to follow:
- Verify your basic eligibility.
- Prepare your business plan with experts.
- Gather the documents (diplomas, proof of experience, financial statements).
- Choose the right stream and submit your application to the ministry.
- Once the CSQ is obtained, proceed with permanent residence through IRCC.
The process requires rigor, but it is clear and transparent.
Why act now?
The 2026 context favors well-prepared projects. With the reduction of other pathways, well-structured entrepreneur applications stand out even more. Spots are not unlimited, and the best projects are given priority.
If your dream is to build or take over a business in Quebec, now is the ideal time to move forward with confidence.