Canada citizenship by investment - Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

How to apply for Canadian citizenship?

After three years of permanent residency, candidates can apply for citizenship. The following requirements must be met:

• Continue to satisfy the requirements of permanent residence
• Have been primarily resident in Canada for 3 years. Note that each day spent as a temporary resident counts as a half-day toward the physical presence requirement, but only up to a total of 365 days. This means that if someone holds temporary residency and is present in Canada for 2 years, they will now be able to count that time as 1 year of the 3 year requirement.
• Have filed income taxes
• Intend to continue to reside in Canada
• Demonstrate satisfactorily language level in French or English
• Demonstrate knowledge of Canada plus the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship
• Have no criminal record in Canada, and not be facing criminal charges outside of Canada

Application process

Due to the high demand for the Québec Immigrant Investor program, the application and selection process is highly selective.

The applicant(s) must satisfy both the Québec selection and the Canadian Government admission requirements, and pay all associated fees. Fees will not be refunded unless the application is incomplete, in which case it will be returned.

The processing period varies depending on the applicant’s country of origin, overall applicant numbers, and Canadian staff availability

Applicants should submit appropriately certified copies of personal documents, since documents will not be returned. All documents must be translated into French or English.

The government application fee is CAN$15,235 for the primary applicant. This fee covers any family members included on your application. The legal and advisory fees charged by the intermediary will depend on the number of the people included under the same application.

Submission process and required documents

The application, in order to be considered complete and admissible, should include:

• Application for a Selection Certificate – Investor
• The narrative document for the primary applicant, and spouse or partner
• The declaration of intent to reside in Québec
• Confirmation of fee payment

Supporting documents

• Confirmation that the applicant’s intermediary has power of attorney
• Declaration of the source of investment funds
• Proof of net worth including income statements, credit reports, etc.
• A detailed narrative document written by the applicant in their native language explaining the source of funds for the investment
• Passport copies
• A reccent photograph
• Identity and civil status documents
• Birth, marriage, adoption, divorce certificate copies, as appropriate
• Proof of spousal or partner status (e.g. joint bank accounts, mortgages held)
• Proof of the primary applicant’s managerial experience
• Medical certificates
• Police clearance certificates
• Conirmation of French language competence (for French speaking applicants)

Upon receipt of the completed application, the Ministére will review. In some cases they may ask for updated/additional information – these requests must be satisfied within 60 days.

Successful applicants will receive a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ – a Certificate of Selection). The application will be then passed to Canada’s Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia for assessment of the medical report, and to issue the final admission confirmation.

Financial

• Your investment is risk-free! The Québec government guarantees to return your full investment funds after 5 years.
• Passive investment – you don’t need to manage or do anything related to the investment once it is made.
• Canadians get more favorable income tax rates and corporate tax rates than most other Western countries.

• Canada has tax treaties with many countries around the world to avoid double taxation.
• G8 and NAFTA (North American Federal Trade Agreement) member.

Lifestyle

• Family-inclusive program. All immediate members including your spouse and dependent children are included in the application will be given the same status.
• One of the best universal health care systems in the world.
• Excellent education system with free public education and renowned universities.
• Children can apply to local schools and universities as a Canadian resident.
• One of the best passports for international travel. As of 26 March 2019, Canadian citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 184 countries.
• The right to move to and reside in any province in Canada, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• No restrictions on dual citizenship.
• One of the safest countries in the world.
• High quality of life.
• Cultural, ethnic and religious tolerance.
• Affordable cost of living.
• Beautiful nature and pristine wilderness with strict environmental regulations to keep it that way.

Business

• Québec has a diversified, dynamic and modern economy.
• Highly-skilled work force.
• Competitive operating costs (especially when it comes to labor and electricity).
• Advantageous corporate tax system that supports new businesses and investments.
• Business support programs for small and medium-sized businesses that help encourage growth via technical support and advice, financial support, tax credits, subsidies, and help with design, innovation, research and development.
• Successful export market.
• Vast majority of businesses are small and medium-sized with less than five employees.
• Key sectors in Québec include: aerospace, agriculture, automatize and ground transport equipment, light metals, microelectronics, multimedia, life sciences, IT and software, and telecommunications.
• Flexible administrative procedures that make registering or incorporating a business in Québec fast, easy and inexpensive.

Learn more about how to get started on your immigration journey with a free consultation!