Company Registration in Canada
Capital: Ottawa.
Official languages: Chinese.
Currency: Yuan.
Company registration provides the following benefits:
- Stability.
- Good reputation.
- No requirements for the size of the authorized capital.
- Income earned outside of Canada is not subject to tax.
- Directors' meetings can be held anywhere.
Canada is a large country located in North America in the northwest of the continent, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Today Canada is one of the richest, most prosperous countries in the world, which is part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the UN, NATO, and the G8. The country has signed double tax treaties with 50 countries. Comfortable tax conditions have been created for doing business here.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax 23-31%:
- Federal rate: 15%
- Provincial/territorial rates vary
- Reduced rates for small businesses
GST/HST (federal VAT):
- GST: 5%
- HST: varies by province (up to 15%)
- Exemptions for certain goods and services
Dividends:
- Eligible dividends: favorable tax treatment
- Non-eligible dividends: higher tax rate
Company registration in Canada involves several steps and varies slightly by province. The business name must be unique and registered with the provincial or territorial authorities.
To register a company, an application signed by the director must be submitted, including the articles of incorporation and other necessary documents, such as the identification of directors and shareholders.
Once the company is incorporated, it must be registered for federal and provincial taxes. Additional registrations, such as for GST/HST, may also be required.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency for tax purposes and other federal programs.
- Articles of Incorporation filed with the appropriate provincial or federal registry.
- A bank account in the company’s name to manage finances.
- Compliance with any provincial requirements for initial capital or shareholder agreements.
Incorporation Limited Partnership, LP
- Limited liability
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
- Simplified registration process
Company Registration in Canada
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Mandatory annually (Canadian GAAP/IFRS)
- Audit: Mandatory for public companies
- Annual Return: Due on the anniversary of incorporation
- Tax return: Corporate Tax Return filed with CRA
- Employer's Return: Required if there are employees
- Registers: Shareholders and directors (mandatory)
- Directors' details Publicly available in the registry
- Shareholders' details Publicly available
- Financial reporting Confidential (not published)
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Document preparation and initial consultation
1-2 days - 02
Name search and reservation with Corporations Canada
1 day - 03
Submission of incorporation documents
1 day - 04
Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation
up to 1 week - 05
Opening a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
The bottom line
Our company offers comprehensive support for the company at all stages - from registration to full support of its activities. We not only help you legally register a company, but also take on many subsequent tasks.
In particular, our scope of services includes maintaining accounting and tax records, providing nominee directors and shareholders, leasing a legal address, obtaining all necessary licenses and permits for the company. We actually ensure the full operation of the business in accordance with the laws of a particular jurisdiction.
Cost calculation
Add the required options for your company:
FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.
