Company Registration & Incorporation in Canada
Step-by-step provincial and federal incorporation guidelines for expat entrepreneurs.
Legal & Regulatory Definition
"Under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), businesses can incorporate federally or provincially. Federal incorporation grants name protection across Canada but requires filing annual returns."
Expat Compliance Analysis
Incorporation creates a separate legal entity. Non-residents can incorporate, but federal registration requires at least 25% of the board of directors to be resident Canadians. British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta have eliminated this residency requirement, making them highly attractive for expat founders.
Actionable Requirements & Steps
NUANS Search
You must run a formal NUANS report to search the federal database and ensure your business name does not conflict with existing trademarks.
Provincial vs Federal
Provincial filing (e.g. Ontario) costs ~$300 and is faster. Federal filing costs $200 but requires an additional provincial registration in the province where your physical office sits.
Immigration Warnings
All self-employment operations must strictly respect your study or work permit limits. Active corporate involvement without a work permit is a violation of section 196 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
Legal Disclaimer
This portal is for educational purposes. Expat corporate structures carry tax and visa risks. Consult a licensed Canadian corporate lawyer or Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) before registering.