How to Register a Company in Canada — Complete 2026 Guide

To register a company in Canada, choose a business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation), run a NUANS name search, file Articles of Incorporation with Corporations Canada (federal) or your provincial registry, register for a CRA Business Number, and register for HST/GST if your revenue exceeds $30,000. The process takes 3–7 business days and costs $300–$700 in government filing fees. Non-residents and Indian immigrants can incorporate in Canada without a Canadian resident director — particularly in BC and Ontario.

In This Guide:

1. Business Structures in Canada — Which is Right for You?

2. Federal vs Provincial Incorporation — Key Differences

3. Step-by-Step Company Registration Process

4. Documents Required

5. Cost of Company Registration by Province

6. Timeline — How Long Does It Take?

7. How to Register a Company in Ontario

8. How to Register a Company in BC

9. Business Setup for Indian Immigrants & Non-Residents

10. Post-Incorporation Steps

11. Frequently Asked Questions (10 Q&As)

1. Business Structures in Canada — Which is Right for You?

Before you register a company in Canada, the most important decision is choosing the right legal structure. Each structure has different implications for liability, taxation, and compliance requirements.

❓ Does Canada have an LLC? No. Canada does not have Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) like the USA. The Canadian equivalent is a Corporation — which provides the same limited liability protection. Many Indian entrepreneurs and NRIs search for ‘LLC Canada’ — the answer is to incorporate a Canadian Corporation instead.

Structure	Liability	Taxation	Best For	Setup Cost	Complexity
Sole Proprietorship	Unlimited personal liability	Personal income tax rate	Single-owner service businesses, freelancers	$60–$80 (name reg)	Very Low
General Partnership	Unlimited personal liability	Pass-through (T5013)	2+ owners, professional practices	$100–$300	Low
Limited Partnership (LP)	Limited for LPs; unlimited for GP	Pass-through	Real estate, investment structures	$300–$600	Medium
Federal Corporation	Limited — shareholders protected	Corporate tax + personal on dividends	Multi-province businesses, NRIs, national brands	$200 (online)	Medium
Provincial Corporation	Limited — shareholders protected	Corporate tax + personal on dividends	Single-province businesses	$300–$450	Medium
Professional Corporation	Limited (with conditions)	Corporate tax + personal	Doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers	$500–$1,500	High

Our Recommendation: For most Indian immigrants, newcomers, and international entrepreneurs, a BC or Ontario Provincial Corporation is the right starting point — full limited liability, same as US LLC, no Canadian resident director required in these provinces.

2. Federal vs Provincial Incorporation — Key Differences

This comparison table = primary featured snippet candidate. AI Overview actively shows for ‘federal vs provincial incorporation Canada’.

Factor	Federal Incorporation	Provincial Incorporation
Governing law	Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA)	Provincial act — OBCA (Ontario), BC Business Corporations Act (BC), etc.
Name protection	Protected across ALL provinces	Protected in that province only
Filing fee	$200 (online — Corporations Canada)	$300 Ontario | $350 BC | $275 Alberta
NUANS name search	Required — federal NUANS ($13.80)	Required in Ontario | Not required in BC
Multi-province operations	File once — operate everywhere (extra-provincial registration still needed per province)	Must register as extra-provincial corp in each additional province
Annual return	File with Corporations Canada ($20–$40/year)	File with provincial registry ($0–$25/year)
Director residency	Min 25% Canadian residents (CBCA) — verify current rules	BC: NO residency requirement ✔ | Ontario: NO residency requirement since 2023 ✔
Processing time	1–5 business days (online)	Same day – 3 days depending on province
Best for	National brands, multi-province ops, NRIs wanting national name	Single-province businesses, non-residents (BC/Ontario best)

🌟 Best for Indian Immigrants & Non-Residents: British Columbia (BC) Provincial Incorporation. No Canadian resident director requirement, fastest processing (same-day online), and no PST on many professional services. DKP Global’s Canada office is based in Surrey, BC — we handle BC and Ontario incorporations daily.

3. Step-by-Step Company Registration Process in Canada

Here is the complete process to register a company in Canada — applicable for residents, non-residents, and Indian immigrants:

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure

Use the comparison table above to decide between sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. For most businesses seeking limited liability, a corporation is the right choice. For non-residents, BC or Ontario Provincial Corporation is recommended.

Step 2: Run a NUANS Name Search

A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report confirms your proposed business name is available and not conflicting with existing corporations or trademarks in Canada. Required for federal incorporation ($13.80) and Ontario incorporation. Not required for BC — name is approved during filing. NUANS reports are valid for 90 days.

Step 3: Prepare and File Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation (or Articles of Organization for some structures) are your company’s founding document. They specify the company name, registered office address in Canada, share structure, directors’ information, and any restrictions on business activities. File online: Corporations Canada (federal) or your provincial registry (Ontario Business Registry, BC Registries).

Step 4: Receive Certificate of Incorporation

Once your Articles are approved, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation — your official proof of incorporation. Federal processing: 1–5 business days. Ontario: 1–3 days. BC: same day to 1 day.

Step 5: Register for a CRA Business Number (BN)

Every Canadian corporation must register for a Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency. The BN is your 9-digit master tax account number — linked to your corporate income tax, GST/HST, payroll deductions, and import/export accounts. Register online instantly at canada.ca or call CRA.

Step 6: Register for HST/GST

HST/GST registration is mandatory once your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any four consecutive calendar quarters. Ontario rate: 13% HST. BC: 5% GST + 7% PST (separate registrations). Alberta: 5% GST only. Voluntary early registration is recommended — allows you to claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) on business expenses from day one.

Step 7: Set Up Corporate Minute Book

A corporate minute book is legally required for all Canadian corporations. It contains your Articles of Incorporation, corporate bylaws, director and shareholder registers, share certificates, and minutes of board and shareholder meetings. DKP Global sets up your minute book as part of every incorporation package.

Step 8: Register for Provincial Payroll Accounts & Business Licenses

If you will have employees: register for payroll deductions with CRA (RP account), and provincial payroll accounts (WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in BC, Employer Health Tax if Ontario payroll exceeds $1M). Check municipal and industry-specific business licensing requirements before starting operations.

Note: DKP Global manages the complete process — from NUANS to Certificate of Incorporation to CRA Business Number to HST registration to minute book. One team, zero handoffs.

4. Documents Required to Register a Company in Canada

For Canadian Residents and Citizens:

• Government-issued photo ID — passport or provincial driver’s licence for all directors
• Proposed business name + 2 alternatives in case of name conflict
• Registered office address — must be a physical address in the province of incorporation
• Director information — full legal name, residential address for all directors
• Authorized share structure — number and class of shares the corporation is authorized to issue
• SIN (for CRA Business Number) — of the primary contact or authorized representative

For Non-Residents and Indian Immigrants:

• Valid passport — for all directors and shareholders (no Canadian ID required)
• Foreign residential address — accepted for director information in BC and Ontario
• Proposed business name + 2 alternatives
• Registered office address in Canada — DKP Global provides this as part of our service
• No SIN required — CRA Business Number registration uses business information, not SIN
• No Canadian bank account required — at time of incorporation (obtained after)

Key Advantage: Non-residents do NOT need to visit Canada at any point during the incorporation process. DKP Global manages everything remotely — document collection, filing, CRA registration, and minute book setup — all digital.

5. Cost of Company Registration in Canada — By Province

Cost Item	Federal Corp	Ontario Corp	BC Corp	Alberta Corp
NUANS name search	$13.80	$8.00 (Ontario NUANS)	Not required	$30 (NUANS)
Articles of Incorporation	$200 (online)	$300	$350	$275
CRA Business Number	Free	Free	Free	Free
HST/GST Registration	Free	Free	Free	Free
Corporate Minute Book (setup)	$150–$500	$150–$500	$150–$500	$150–$500
Annual Return (Year 2+)	$20–$40/year	$12.00/year	$0/year (no fee)	$50/year
TOTAL Year 1 (government fees only)	~$214	~$308	~$350	~$305
TOTAL Year 1 (with professional setup)	$600–$900	$650–$1,000	$700–$1,000	$650–$950

Most cost-effective for non-residents: BC Provincial Corporation — $350 filing fee, no annual return fee, same-day processing, no Canadian resident director requirement.

6. Timeline — How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in Canada?

Stage	Federal	Ontario	BC	Alberta
NUANS / Name Search	1 day	1 day	Not required	1 day
Articles of Incorporation	1–5 business days	1–3 business days	Same day – 1 day	3–5 business days
CRA Business Number	Instant (online)	Instant (online)	Instant (online)	Instant (online)
HST/GST Registration	5–10 business days	5–10 business days	5–10 business days	5–10 business days
Corporate Minute Book Setup	2–3 days (professional)	2–3 days	2–3 days	2–3 days
Total (fully operational)	1–2 weeks	1–2 weeks	3–7 business days	1–2 weeks

DKP Global manages the complete timeline — you receive status updates at every stage. Most clients are fully incorporated and CRA-registered within 7 business days.

7. How to Register a Company in Ontario

Company registration Ontario — 1,300/mo. Brampton + Mississauga GBP connection.

Ontario is home to the largest Indian community in Canada — particularly in Brampton and Mississauga. Here is the specific process for company registration in Ontario:

• Step 1 — Name Search: Run an Ontario NUANS search to confirm name availability ($8.00 via Ontario Business Registry).
• Step 2 — File Articles: Submit Articles of Incorporation via the Ontario Business Registry (onbis.ontario.ca). Fee: $300. Processing: 1–3 business days.
• Step 3 — No Resident Director Required: Ontario removed its Canadian resident director requirement. 100% foreign-owned Ontario corporations are permitted.
• Step 4 — CRA Registration: Register for Business Number + HST account (Ontario HST rate: 13%) online at canada.ca.
• Step 5 — WSIB Registration: If you will have employees in Ontario — register with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
• Step 6 — Employer Health Tax (EHT): Register for EHT if Ontario payroll exceeds $1,000,000 annually (exemption applies for smaller businesses).

DKP Global’s team serves clients in Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, and across Ontario — all services available remotely.

8. How to Register a Company in BC (British Columbia)

Company registration BC — 880/mo. Surrey + Vancouver GBP connection. DKP’s primary Canada base.

British Columbia — particularly Surrey and Vancouver — has the largest South Asian community in Canada. BC is also the best province for non-residents to incorporate, with no Canadian resident director requirement and same-day online filing. Here is the company registration process in BC:

• Step 1 — No NUANS Required: BC does not require a separate NUANS search. Your company name is reviewed and approved during the filing process.
• Step 2 — File Incorporation Application: File online via BC Registries (bcregistry.gov.bc.ca). Fee: $350. Processing: same day to 1 business day.
• Step 3 — No Resident Director Required: BC has no Canadian resident director requirement — ideal for Indian immigrants, newcomers, and non-residents.
• Step 4 — CRA Registration: Register for Business Number online. For BC: GST registration (5%) and separate PST registration (7%) with BC Provincial Sales Tax Branch.
• Step 5 — WorkSafeBC: If you will have employees in BC, register with WorkSafeBC (WorkSafeBC.com) — equivalent to Ontario’s WSIB.
• Step 6 — City Business License: Most BC municipalities require a business license. Surrey business license: $150–$500/year depending on business type.

DKP Global’s Surrey BC Office: +1-672-833-4342  |  We handle BC incorporations daily. Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond — served remotely.

9. Business Setup for Indian Immigrants & Non-Residents in Canada

DKP Global specializes in business setup for Indian immigrants and non-residents in Canada. Our ACCA-UK and CA certified team understands both Indian regulatory requirements (FEMA, DTAA) and Canadian corporate law — a combination no local Canadian firm offers.

Can a Non-Canadian Register a Company in Canada?

✔ Yes — and it is easier than most people think. BC and Ontario now have NO Canadian resident director requirements. Non-residents can incorporate 100% remotely — no visa, no Canadian address (we provide one), no visit required.

Business Setup by Immigration Status

Status	Can Register?	Best Province	Notes
Canadian Citizen	✔ Yes	Any province	Full rights — any structure
Permanent Resident (PR)	✔ Yes	Any province	Same as citizen for business purposes
Work Permit holder	✔ Yes	BC or Ontario	Can own company — may need self-employment authorization for active role
Study Permit holder	✔ Yes (own shares)	BC or Ontario	Cannot actively work beyond permitted hours — can be shareholder/director
Visitor Visa	✔ Yes (incorporate)	BC — easiest	Can own but cannot work in Canada. Good for remote businesses.
Indian Resident (not in Canada)	✔ Yes	BC or Ontario	100% foreign-owned. Fully remote. No Canadian director needed.

FEMA Compliance for Indian Residents Owning a Canadian Company

If you are an Indian resident owning a Canadian corporation, the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) requires Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) compliance:

• File Form ODI with your Indian bank before investing in the Canadian entity
• Submit Annual Performance Report (APR) to the Reserve Bank of India
• Comply with the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for outward remittances
• Declare the Canadian company’s income in your Indian tax returns
• India-Canada DTAA — prevents double taxation on the same income in both countries

DKP Global handles both Canadian incorporation AND Indian FEMA compliance — making us uniquely positioned for Indian residents expanding to Canada.

10. Post-Incorporation Steps — What to Do After You Register

Incorporating is step one. Here is what you must do immediately after registering your company in Canada:

Post-Incorporation Step	Timeline	Who Needs It	DKP Handles?
CRA Business Number (BN)	Day 1 — register immediately after Certificate of Incorporation	ALL corporations — mandatory	✔ Yes
HST/GST Registration	Register before $30,000 revenue — or voluntarily from Day 1	All businesses earning $30K+ annually	✔ Yes
Corporate Minute Book Setup	Within 30 days of incorporation	ALL corporations — legally mandatory	✔ Yes
Business bank account	Within 1–2 weeks of incorporation	All businesses	✔ Yes — guidance provided
Payroll deductions account (RP)	Before first payroll run	Businesses with employees	✔ Yes
WSIB / WorkSafeBC	Before first employee hired	Businesses with employees in Ontario or BC	✔ Yes — guidance
Business license (municipal)	Before starting operations	Most businesses in most cities	✔ Yes — we identify requirements
Annual return (Year 2)	Within 60 days of anniversary of incorporation	ALL corporations — annually	✔ Ongoing compliance service
T2 Corporate Tax Return (first year)	Within 6 months of fiscal year end	ALL corporations	✔ Yes — accounting services

Need Expert Help Registering Your Company in Canada?

DKP Global provides complete company registration services across Canada — federal and provincial incorporation, CRA Business Number, HST/GST, corporate minute book, and ongoing compliance. ACCA & CS certified team with dedicated Canada operations.

📅 Book Free 30-Min Consultation → Company Registration Canada/  |  📞 +1-672-833-4342  |  💬 WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions — Company Registration in Canada