The Quebec Immigration Bureau has announced the details for the reopening of the 2014 Quebec Business Immigration Program.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP):
1. From September 8 to September 19, 2014, the Quebec Immigration Bureau will accept a total of 1,750 applications, with a cap of 1,200 applications from any single country. A lottery system will be used to select the quota;
2. If the application cap is not reached by September 19, 2014, applications will be accepted again from December 1 to December 12, 2014, until the quota is filled;
3. As in 2013, to avoid a "first-come, first-served" rush, applications must be sent via regular mail to the Immigration Bureau, with the date of receipt by the Bureau serving as the official record;
4. Each applicant may submit only one application; duplicate applications will be considered invalid;
5. Additionally, applicants with an intermediate B2 level of French proficiency may submit their applications starting March 31, 2014, and will receive priority processing.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program:
A total of 500 applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications exceeding the quota will be returned.
The reopening of the Quebec program is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for investors interested in Canada. However, the competition for spots will be intense, primarily due to three factors: first, applicants who failed to secure a quota last year are eagerly awaiting this opportunity; second, the number of new applicants continues to grow; and third, some clients affected by the changes to the Canadian Federal Immigrant Investor Program will also join the competition for these spots.
Industry experts suggest that while many applicants remain deeply committed to Canada, the success of this Quebec Immigrant Investor Program application will ultimately depend on "luck." Therefore, some applicants may consider applying for other countries' investment immigration programs or other Canadian investment immigration streams simultaneously to ensure a well-prepared, multi-faceted strategy.