Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program: Requirements and How to Apply

The Self-Employed Worker Program (Programme des travailleurs autonomes) is one of Quebec's three business immigration programs. It is meant for people who will create their own job by practicing their profession or trade in Quebec, alone or with others, with or without paid employees.

It is different from the Entrepreneur Program, which is about starting or buying a business with larger spending minimums, and from the Investor Program, which is a passive investment.

If Quebec approves you, it issues a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). You then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

This matters in 2026 because the federal Self-Employed Persons program for people settling outside Quebec is paused. Quebec's program remains open.

As of September 2026, Quebec lists these conditions:

Ineligible sectors include payday loans, check cashing or pledge loans, the sex industry, and trading, leasing, brokerage, development, or planning in the property sector. So real estate agents and property developers do not qualify.

If you already work as a self-employed person in Quebec, you can apply too, as long as you meet every condition.

Some professions, such as accounting, engineering, and many health jobs, require authorization from a Quebec regulatory body. If you plan to practice a regulated profession, you must have one of these when you apply:

• authorization to practice the profession in Quebec, or
• proof of partial or full recognition of your diploma or training, dated no more than five years before your application.

Check Quebec's list of regulated professions and the Qualifications Québec website for the steps. You do not need to deal with a regulator if your profession is unregulated, or if you will work in a way that does not require authorization.

Keep in mind that most professional orders also require a French exam from the Office québécois de la langue française. See French requirements for Quebec.

You must place a start-up deposit with a financial institution that has an establishment in Quebec:

You do not make the deposit when you apply. Quebec asks for it a few weeks after it sends a letter confirming that your file is open. You must meet both conditions: the deposit and the C$100,000 minimum net worth.

Quebec says you can apply at any time and there is no maximum number of applications. You mail a paper application, in one envelope, to the Quebec immigration ministry (MIFI). It includes:

• the permanent selection application and its appendix (both in French),
• a narrative document written using Quebec's guide (your spouse completes one too),
• supporting documents, translated into French if they are not in French or English, and
• full payment of the fee.

Fees as of January 1, 2026 (adjusted each January 1):

Quebec accepts payment by credit card (with its payment form), bank draft drawn on a Canadian bank, or postal money order. Fees are not refunded if your application is rejected. Federal permanent residence fees are extra.

Using a paid representative is optional and gives you no priority. If you use one, check that they are authorized.

When Quebec approves your application, it issues a CSQ. You then:

1. apply to IRCC for permanent residence and complete medical, security, and criminal checks,
2. land in Canada and settle in Quebec, and
3. start working for yourself in your profession.

After landing, apply for your Quebec health card (coverage can take up to three months to start) and your Quebec driver's license. The Quebec hub covers settlement services and free French courses.

• If you want to build a business with employees, compare the Quebec Entrepreneur Program.
• If you would rather work for an employer, the PSTQ is Quebec's main skilled worker program.
• Outside Quebec, the federal Self-Employed Persons program is paused and the Start-Up Visa has closed, so most self-employed people look at provincial entrepreneur streams instead, such as the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream.