How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts?

Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts is funded by Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE), Gouvernement du Québec

What are Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts's eligibility criterias?

The company must be located in Quebec. The company must engage in scientific research and experimental development (RS-DE). The company must have signed an employment contract with a foreign expert.

Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Tax holiday for foreign expert salaries in Quebec

Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts at a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open Date : November 14, 2019

Financing Type

Tax Credits

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Open

Overview of the Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts program

Attract recognized foreign experts who are highly qualified in the implementation of innovation projects to work in Quebec. They will receive a tax holiday ranging from 100% of taxable income in the first year, to 25% in the fifth year.

Financing terms and conditions

This fiscal measure offers tax benefits to recruited foreign experts, enhancing the net income attractiveness and competitiveness. The financing modalities involve tax deductions on provincial income for a specified period.

Eligible foreign experts holding a certificate can apply for a deduction on their provincial tax returns.
The tax deduction is available for a maximum period of five years.
The certificate for foreign experts must be renewed annually to maintain eligibility for the tax deduction.

Eligible projects & activities

This grant supports activities that enhance the commercialization, transfer, and management of research and development outcomes. These projects are essential for driving technological innovation and economic growth in Quebec's private sector.

Management of innovation resulting from research and development projects.
Commercialization and marketing of research and development project outcomes.
Transfer of advanced technologies from research and development projects.
Financing of research and development activities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 200,000

Finance R&D activities to develop a new medical diagnostic tool

$ 120,000

Implement an advanced AI system to enhance smart city services

$ 64,000

Develop a marketing strategy to commercialize a new green technology product

$ 160,000

Transfer advanced drone technology for agricultural monitoring

$ 96,000

Commercialize a human-centred design approach for healthcare services

$ 144,000

Implement advanced cybersecurity solutions for SMEs

Eligibility criteria of the Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts program

The eligibility criteria for the company looking to apply for this grant are specific to their location, activities, and engagement with an expert foreign professional.

The company must be located in Quebec.
The company must be engaged in scientific research and experimental development (RS-DE).
The company must have signed an employment contract with a foreign expert.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for this grant include companies located in Quebec that are engaged in scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) projects. The companies must have an employment contract with the foreign expert, and the expert must be specialized in a field relevant to the valorization of SR&ED results. The expert should hold a graduate university degree recognized in Quebec in pure and applied sciences or a related field, or possess equivalent knowledge, and must perform SR&ED activities within the Quebec-based company almost exclusively.

Eligible expenses

This grant is designed to enhance the recruitment of foreign experts for innovation projects, specifically focusing on research and experimental development (RS-DE) in private businesses located in Quebec. Eligible activities involve various functions related to managing and commercializing the outcomes of RS-DE projects.

Management of innovation resulting from RS-DE projects.
Commercialization and marketing of RS-DE project results.
Technology transfer of advancements resulting from RS-DE projects.
Financing of RS-DE activities.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant specifically applies to companies operating in a defined geographical area to enhance innovation and competitiveness. Eligible locations are restricted to align with regional economic strategies.

Companies based in the province of Québec, Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts program

- The grant is awarded based on the specific criteria outlined in the program guidelines. - Evaluation criteria may include the expertise and qualifications of the foreign expert, the relevance of their role in the research and development activities, the potential impact on innovation within the company, and the quality of the proposed project or activities. - Selection criteria may also consider the alignment of the expert's responsibilities with the goals of the research and development projects, the ability of the expert to contribute to the commercialization of research outcomes, and the overall potential for knowledge transfer and technology advancement.

How to apply to the Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts program

Take note of the directives

Consult the General Information Guide.

Preparation of the required documents

Fill out the application form.
Obtain the candidate's Curriculum Vitae, detailed and signed.
Prepare a copy of the expert's employment contract.
Provide a copy of the company's certificate of incorporation if it is a first request.
Include one of the following documents:
Copy of diplomas from a Quebec university,
Copies of post-secondary diplomas with a list of courses and a certified true copy of the candidate's latest relevant diploma,
Comparative evaluation of studies completed outside Quebec.

Transmission of the request

Send the application form and all required documents in a single submission by email.
Use the following address for submission: conges.fiscaux@economie.gouv.qc.ca.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The application process is free of charge.
The certificate needs to be renewed annually.
A certified duplicate of the last relevant degree of the candidate is required if the degree is not from a Quebec university.
The candidate must submit a comparative evaluation if the education was completed outside Quebec.
The foreign expert can claim a tax deduction for a maximum of five years on their provincial tax return.
The application and all requisite documents must be submitted via email in a single submission.
For the initial application from a company, a copy of the certificate of incorporation is needed.