Taking over a business in Quebec: Business takeover as a strategic path to permanent residency
Quebec has a real need for business takeover. With an aging population, many business owners in the province are thinking about passing the torch. In fact, nearly 50,000 businesses will be looking for successors within the next five years. These companies have strong revenues.
Currently, the only option is the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program), following the announcement of the abolition of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise – PEQ (Quebec Experience Program) on November 6, 2025.
But the Entrepreneur Program – Stream 3: Business takeover offers a direct pathway to the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate), the first step toward permanent residency.
For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, this represents an opportunity to establish themselves permanently in La Belle Province (“The beautiful province”).
What is the Business takeover Stream?
This program is designed for entrepreneurs who wish to immigrate to Quebec to take over an existing business or operate an acquired business and settle permanently in the province. Two profiles are eligible:
- Company in the process of being acquired: intending to take over a Quebec-based company.
- Acquired company: having taken over a Quebec-based company.
The general conditions are as follows:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have advanced intermediate oral proficiency in French (for French citizens, presenting a general, vocational and technological baccalaureates exempts them from taking the tests);
- Hold a secondary school diploma (in France, this corresponds to a college-level diploma, equivalent to the French baccalaureate);
- The business must have been operating for at least 5 years;
- The business must not have been taken over by an entrepreneur already selected under the program within the past 5 years;
- Submit a business project within a succession plan.
Comparison of the two profiles
| Criteria | Company in the process of being acquired | Acquired company |
| Stay in Quebec | Not required | A minimum of 2 years with authorization to work (valid work permit) |
| Net worth required | Minimum de $600,000 approximately €400,000 (excluding recent donations). | Minimum de $300,000 approximately €200,000 (excluding recent donations). |
| Investments | Demonstrate acquisition-related expenses based on location: Within the CMM: $300,000 (approximately €200,000). Outside CMM: $150,000 (approximately €100,000). + acquisition offer (made within two years of the application). | No expenses, as the acquisition has already been completed. |
| Business partners | Authorized (including a partner or spouse). However, business partners cannot apply for permanent selection. | Authorized (alone or with a partner/spouse). However, business partners cannot apply for permanent selection. |
| Control of the business | Acquire control alone or jointly with the included person (partner/spouse). | Already hold control alone or jointly with the partner/spouse. |
| Support | Mandatory by a specialized business takeover organization (e.g., Repreneuriat Québec). | Mandatory, the organization must certify that it has provided support for the transfer. |
Typical pathway
Company in the process of being acquired
The Company in the process of being acquired profile is a way to start from the beginning.
- Project start;
Identify a business to take over, then plan your project with the support of an organization specialized in business succession.
- Submission of the application under the Business takeover stream profile;
- Conditional acceptance of the application;
If your application is accepted, you will receive a notice of intent to select from Quebec. This notice allows you to apply for a work permit with IRCC to continue the process.
Note: The accompanying person included in your application may also obtain a work permit to accompany you.
- Business acquisition;
You have 2 years to finalize the acquisition, submit an acquisition offer, and make the required expenditures for the takeover based on the company’s location.
- Obtaining the CSQ.
Once all conditions are met, your final application will be accepted. You will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) for yourself and your accompanying family members.
Acquired company
The Acquired company profile is intended for candidates who have been established in Quebec for 2 years with a work permit and have taken over a business.
- Business takeover;
- Mandatory support;
An organization specialized in business takeover must certify that it has provided support throughout the transfer process.
- Application submission;
- Application acceptance;
If your application is accepted, you will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) for yourself and your family.
- Support for the work permit.
While your permanent residence application is being processed by IRCC, you will receive a support letter to renew or extend your work permit.
This is a more accessible pathway, with lower entry barriers. In particular, thanks to financial flexibility: no minimum investment is required.
Possible pathways
You have taken over a business.
If you have acquired a business in Quebec as an owner or majority shareholder, but do not have a work permit, you cannot yet manage, operate, or work in it.
In this case, it is essential to be supported by an organization specialized in business succession to structure your project. Afterwards, you can begin the process of obtaining a work permit and fully operate the business.
You are already in Quebec with a work permit.
If you are already established in Quebec with a valid work permit and have an entrepreneurial mindset, you can start looking for businesses ready for succession.
Organizations such as Repreneuriat Québec (formerly CTEQ) offer support and advisory services for purchasing a business in Quebec.
Conclusion
Business takeover is much more than a business project: it’s a gateway to settling in Quebec. With the abolition of the PEQ, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), now the main pathway to permanent residency, no longer guarantees automatic status.
If you have an entrepreneurial project or questions about your eligibility, seek guidance from regulated immigration professionals. They will help you navigate the process and secure your status.
Do you have questions about your eligibility, the steps to follow, or already have an entrepreneurial project in mind? Are you ready to take over a business and build your future in Quebec?
Contact our professionals, who are available to answer your questions and explain the options available to you.