Canada citizenship by investment (QIIP)

Legal basis

Canada does not grant instant "citizenship by investment" - investors go through an official naturalization process. QIIP grants permanent resident (PR) status, the necessary step toward citizenship. To become a citizen you must live in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) out of 5, pay taxes, and pass a language and civic knowledge test.

QIIP eligibility

• Net worth. Legally acquired net assets of at least CAD 2,000,000 (individually or with a spouse).
• Management experience. At least 2 years of management or business ownership experience within the last 5 years.
• Investment. CAD 1,200,000 total: CAD 1,000,000 invested for 5 years, guaranteed by the Quebec government and refunded without interest, plus a non-refundable CAD 200,000 contribution to provincial development funds.
• French language. spoken French at level 7 or higher on the Quebec scale, proven by a recognised test (TEF, TCF, TEFaQ, DELF/DALF) less than 2 years old.
• Quebec values course. An online or in-person course with an Attestation obtained within 60 days.
• Physical presence in Quebec. At least 12 months within the first 2 years after the investor work permit, with at least 6 months by the main applicant.

The process: the applicant is selected by Quebec (receives the CSQ certificate), then applies for PR federally. After 3 years of PR residence and meeting the other conditions, they can apply for citizenship.

Programme status in 2026

The Quebec Investor Program is open. Applications are accepted at any time, with no cap on their number. The rules in force since 2024: net worth from 2,000,000 Canadian dollars (about $1,403,000), a 5-year investment of 1,000,000 guaranteed by the Quebec government and a non-refundable 200,000 contribution. Quebec reviews its fee every year: from 1 January 2026 it rose to 18,241 Canadian dollars.

The federal cut to business immigration and the closure of the start-up visa did not affect this programme: Quebec selects investors, and the federal department then issues permanent residence.

Costs item by item

• a 1,000,000 Canadian dollar investment (about $701,500) for 5 years, refunded without interest within 30 days after the term;
• a 200,000 Canadian dollar contribution (about $140,300), not refunded;
• Quebec's fee: 18,241 Canadian dollars (about $12,800) for the principal applicant, free for the spouse and children;
• federal permanent residence fee: 2,495 Canadian dollars for the principal applicant (about $1,800), 1,590 for a spouse (about $1,200), 270 per child (about $190);
• biometrics: 85 Canadian dollars per person (about $60), capped at 170 per family;
• citizenship: 653 Canadian dollars per adult (about $460), 100 per child (about $80);
• the French exam, translations and source-of-funds checks.

Non-refundable costs for a family of three start from $156,300, with another $701,500 frozen for 5 years. Exchange rate: 1.43 Canadian dollars per US dollar on 6 October 2026. Our support fee is quoted by a manager in the chat.

Documents and where to get them

• proof of net worth from 2,000,000 Canadian dollars and the lawful source of money: bank statements, contracts for the sale of a business or property, tax returns;
• proof of at least 2 years of business management in the last 5 years: articles, appointment orders, company accounts;
• a French exam result less than 2 years old;
• the Quebec values attestation within 60 days of the file opening, also for a spouse and children over 18;
• passports, birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, a medical exam for permanent residence.

Documents are filed in French or English, with translations by a recognised translator.

Why applications are refused

• the lawful source of assets is not proven;
• gifts received less than 6 months before filing do not count towards net worth, and the total falls below the threshold;
• management experience comes from a sector the programme excludes, such as payday loans;
• spoken French is below level 7 on the Quebec scale;
• the 12 months in Quebec within 2 years of the work permit were not completed;
• misrepresentation in the forms: Canada bars such applicants for 5 years.

Taxes after the move

A Quebec resident pays tax on worldwide income: the federal rate in 2026 is 14% to 33%, the provincial rate 14% to 25.75%, and the combined top rate 53.31%. Foreign property costing more than 100,000 Canadian dollars must be reported every year. The 1,000,000 investment earns no interest, so it creates no tax. More on the Taxes in Canada page.

Comparison with other investment programmes

Quebec costs more in total, but most of it comes back, and the passport can come sooner than in Europe. The price is French and a year living in the province.

Benefits of Canadian citizenship via QIIP

How to get Canadian citizenship via QIIP: step by step

FAQ

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