Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

This week, Canada’s most popular business immigration program re-opened for the next application intake cycle: the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, otherwise known as the QIIP. As of May 29, 2017, international investors can submit an application which grants successful candidates and their immediate family Canadian permanent residency (PR) in exchange for a financial contribution to the country’s economy.

For the new application intake cycle, the maximum number of applications that may be received is set at 1,900, of which up to 1,330 applications may be accepted from nationals of the People's Republic of China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Potential applicants to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) must first meet the eligibility criterion, which includes the candidate having a minimum of at least two years of senior management experience acquired within the last five years. In addition, he or she must have a legally-acquired net worth of at least CAD 1.6 million (this total may include the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner), and all applicants and their immediate family included in the application must pass medical examinations and security checks to qualify.

To date, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) remains the only Canadian immigration program that allows foreign nationals to make a passive investment. Through this program, applicants have two options for their investment, which are as follows:

Investment Options for the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

1. Once an application is approved, the applicant must then make an investment of CAD $800,000 with Investment Québec (IQ) for a period of no less than five years. At the end of the holding period, the investment is returned to the applicant at 0% interest. Before the applicant lands in Quebec, he or she is issued a Québec Certificate of Selection (CSQ - Québec Selection Certificate), whereby the five-year holding period will officially begin once the CSQ is obtained.

For all investments earned through the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) with this option, the financial contributions are used to fund local businesses and social programs throughout the province.

2. As an alternative investment option, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) also allows an applicant to finance his or her financial contribution via securities brokerage firms and banks. Unlike the previous investment option, financing the investment requires the applicant to make a down payment, whereby the securities brokerage firms and banks loan the investment balance to the applicant. Once this step is complete, the applicant deposits the sum of CAD $800,000 with Investment Québec (IQ). However, the required investment is not returned to the applicant after the five-year holding period. This is due to the fees and interest that is accrued by the securities brokerage firms and banks from the down payment. The total cost to the investor is the one-time down payment.

Why Choose the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)?

For starters, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is highly regarded as a reliable, guaranteed investment opportunity for entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals and their family seeking entry to Canada. Once Canadian permanent residency (PR) is granted, successful applicants and their family are able to live, work, or study anywhere in Canada. Permanent residents of Canada are also are eligible for a number of benefits afforded to Canadian citizens, which include receiving social benefits, access to top-quality Canadian healthcare, as well as access to Canadian education systems throughout the country. Even more, permanent residents may apply for full Canadian citizenship if all requirements are fulfilled.

Final Thoughts

At QICMS (Invest-Visa), we understand that applicants seeking immigration to Canada want to feel reassured knowing they are in good hands and represented by the best team of immigration specialists. This is why we are proud to work with Canada’s premier immigration professionals, Campbell Cohen Law Firm (CanadaVisa), to meet the needs of our clients and their family. With nearly 40 years of combined experience in Canadian immigration, our international network of consultants, lawyers, paralegals, and support staff are confident in providing you and your family the highest quality of service.

It is important to note that the application intake quota for the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) fills quickly, and will likely be filled prior to the program’s February 23, 2018 submission deadline. If you and your family are considering immigration to Canada, contact our office today to discuss your options.

For more information on the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), please click here.

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