Quebec Immigrant Investor Program reopening details

Following our meeting of financial intermediaries and MICC, it was confirmed that the new rules affecting submission and processing of applications are adopted and will come into force on August 1st, 2013. The important points to note are:

Application Quota

The quota will be in force between August 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 and will be applied to applications selected for processing and not applications received, with the following conditions:

• 1,750 applications for Quebec Selection Certificate
• No more than 1,200 applications originating from the same country
• Candidates who can demonstrate an intermediate level in French using the results of a test recognized by the MICC are not subject to these limits and can deposit files until March 31, 2014.

Timeframe for submitting applications

Applications for Quebec Selection Certificate will be accepted for the period of August 1-16, 2013. This timeframe is fixed regardless of whether or not the applications received exceed the quota.

The abovementioned timeframe is not applicable to candidates with recognized intermediate level of proficiency in French, who can submit applications until March 31, 2014. If an application is accompanied by a recognized French oral test (written not required), it will get priority processing as well. Refer to MICC website, for a list of approved tests and diplomas.

Selection of Applications – Random draw

Any application received within the abovementioned timeframe will be eligible for the random computerized draw and will have an equal chance of being selected among the received applications. The order of receipt of applications therefore has no impact on the processing priority. This means that whether you application is received on August 1st or August 16th has no impact on its chances of being selected. It is therefore crucial to make sure that your applications are complete as per the requirements before submitting them.

The random draw will be overseen by an internal audit department and the principles may be summarized as follows:

• Each application received will be given a sequential number and reclassified using software, which will then randomly select the priority of applications for review. For example, the last application received on August 16, could end up at the forefront to be considered for admissibility. No personal information will identify the candidate, consultant or broker
• Depending on the order of priority chosen by the software, applications will be then examined in a more detailed fashion to determine their admissibility under the mandatory documentation requirements
• The first 1750 applications considered with satisfactory documentation will be retained for processing and fees will be collected. Candidates whose applications have been accepted will receive a confirmation letter
• Applications over the quota, as well as applications that do not meet the minimum requirements, will be returned along with their fee payment
• If the quota of 1750 applications cannot be fulfilled at the end of the above-mentioned timeframe, another period may be scheduled for November 2013 for all countries where the quota has not been reached yet. Applications are expected to be compiled by the beginning of September and chosen candidates will be notified by mail within 4-6 week after that.

Procedures for submitting applications

All applications must be submitted to the MICC by regular mail. Those received by specialized private couriers (FedEx, UPS, etc.) or delivered by hand will be returned. However, Canada Express post may be accepted as long as there is no signature required upon reception and is part of the scheduled daily mail delivery.

Applications from China, Hong Kong and Macau should be sent to BIQ Hong Kong, at the following address:

Bureau d’immigration du Québec à Hong Kong
c/o Consulate General of Canada
10th Floor, Tower 1, Exchange Square 8
Connaught Place, Central HONG KONG

Applications from citizens of any other jurisdiction shall be forwarded to the following address:

Direction du courrier et de l’encaissement Section Gens d’affaires
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
285, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, 4e étage
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1T8 CANADA

Candidates are allowed to send only one application. If more than one copy of an application is submitted, the file will be rejected and returned.

Furthermore, if an application does not have a duly completed and signed Declaration confirming that multiple files have not been submitted for the same candidate, it will be excluded from the draw and will be returned to the applicant. Each envelope must contain only one application.

For the application to be quickly identified by MICC processing teams, it is important that:

• NOUVELLE DEMANDE IMMIGRANTS INVESTISSEURS / be placed prominently on the envelope containing the file
• Declaration of the candidate (see document requirements below) is on top of the documents submitted so as to be the first document visible when opening the envelope.

Required documents for file deposit

The new instructions and List of Documents are published.

The required documents are now presented in multiple sections, where:

1. Section 1 is for documents required at submission of the application and,
2. Section 2 onward is for documents requested by MICC 90 days before the date of the file analysis in order to complete and update the application.

The new rules of submission of the application significantly reduce the number of documents to be presented at the time of filing.

Upon submission, the application shall contain all documents required in Section 1 of the list, which cannot be submitted at any other time. If an application that does not contain all of these documents or whose statements and forms are not completed and signed will be ineligible and will be returned to the applicant.

The document “Declaration by Applicant” (point 1.1 of Section 1) must be completed, signed and placed first over other documents. By completing and signing this document, the candidate confirms:

• to have submitted only one application for CSQ in the category of immigrant investors, and
• his/her intent to settle in Quebec.

Section 1 of the list provides that, in addition, the candidate must include, in his application, the records of all personal banking and, where appropriate, those of their spouse or partner, made during the 6 months preceding the filing of the application (point 1.4 of Section 1). It is important to note that the narrative document is not part of the required documents at the time of filing.

Processing fees

Effective August 1, 2013, the fees for the examination of an application for certificate selection in the sub-category of investors are set at CA$ 10,000. These fees cover all persons included in the application.

These fees are payable in full at the time of submission of the application by mail and the payment methods remain unchanged:

• All payments are made in Canadian currency, certified cheques and bank drafts are drawn on a Canadian bank. Payments in cash and traveler’s checks are not accepted
• Checks should be made payable to the ministre des Finances du Québec and include, in the back, the applicant’s name in block letters
• For applications submitted in Montreal only, payment of fees by credit card will also be accepted.

To find out more about the window of opportunity to apply for the QCIIP, please contact us. We will gladly put you in contact with one of our Certified Partners in your geographic area for a more custom tailored service.