Canada Permanent Residence for Entrepreneurs

Québec-selected investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons

Business immigrants who intend to live in Québec go through two stages. They first apply to MIFI under the Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-Employed Worker program and, if successful, receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec. Only then do they apply to IRCC for permanent residence, a stage that covers medical, security and criminal checks and requires biometrics within 30 days of the instruction letter. Québec sets the business conditions, such as spoken French at level 7 and the investor's CAD 1,000,000 placement, while the federal government decides admissibility and issues the confirmation of permanent residence.

Selection

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) from MIFI

Final decision

IRCC permanent residence application

Biometrics

Within 30 days of IRCC's instruction letter

Federal fees

CAD 1,895 business processing + CAD 600 right of PR fee

Leads to

Canadian permanent residence

Requirements

• Obtain a CSQ under one of Québec's business programs before applying federally.
• Pass IRCC medical, security and criminal admissibility checks for the applicant and family members.
• Give biometrics within 30 days of the instruction letter.
• Pay the federal processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee.

How to apply

1. Apply to MIFI under the chosen business program.
2. Receive the CSQ after a successful assessment.
3. Submit the permanent residence application to IRCC.
4. Complete biometrics and medical exams when instructed.
5. Receive the confirmation of permanent residence and land before it expires.

Start-up Visa permanent residence (files already accepted)

Status: Only applications accepted before June 30, 2026 are processed

The Start-up Visa led straight to permanent residence, with the work permit only an optional interim step. IRCC continues to process applications it accepted before the program paused on June 30, 2026, and said in December 2025 that it would give priority to applicants already in Canada on a start-up work permit, subject to levels plan targets. Approved applicants receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and, where needed, a visa. IRCC does not extend a COPR, so landing must happen before it expires, and the details on it must match the passport used to travel.

Status

Paused to new applicants since June 30, 2026

Priority

Applicants in Canada on a start-up work permit

Landing document

COPR, which IRCC does not extend

Leads to

Permanent residence on landing

Requirements

• An application accepted by IRCC before June 30, 2026.
• Admissibility checks for the applicant and accompanying family members.
• A valid passport whose details match the COPR at landing.

How to apply

1. Follow the file in the IRCC account and report changes in personal details.
2. Complete biometrics within 30 days of any request.
3. Travel with the COPR and visa, if required, before the COPR expires.