Incorporation in Canada for Non Residents

Non-Resident Incorporators in Canada – All you need to know.

1. Can I incorporate as a non-resident?
Yes, there are no limitations in Canada on foreign incorporators. You must only pay attention to the 25% of directors rule. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta do not need to appoint 25% of directors as Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents and therefore are the best options for incorporating by non-residents.

Watch our video about Federal vs. Provincial Corporation here:    • Federal vs  Provincial Incorporation in Ca...  
Watch our video about Ontario Corporations here:    • Ontario Incorporation – is this the Best O...  

2. Can I incorporate as a work/student permit holder?
Yes, there are no limitations on incorporating as a work/student permit holder, but you must be careful with everything related to the “operating” of your business as this might be contrary to the terms of your work permit.
Make sure that your work permit condition allow you to work for any employer.

3. As a non-resident, can I register a sole proprietorship?
In my opinion, the answer is NO. Sole proprietorship is based on a personal income and Social Insurance Number, so it is not available for non-residents who are not in Canada.
I my opinion, it will also be contrary to the terms of a work permit (or student visa) since the work permit allows its holder to be “employed”, while sole proprietorship in its essence is not “employment” but rather operating your own business.
Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or PR must consult with an immigration consultant to decide before starting a sole proprietorship.

4. What would be corporate tax rate?
Canadian corporate tax system is based on provincial tax rates, so some differences could be between the provinces.
The basic corporate tax rate in Canada is approximately 26%. There is the tax deduction rule called Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC), which reduces the tax rate of a Canadian owned corporation from 26% to 12% (with some minor deviations). If 51% of the shares of a corporation are owned by a Canadian tax resident, the corporate tax rate will be reduced.

5. Do I need a local address in Canada?
Yes, it must be located in the province where you want to register. The address could be either commercial or residential property.
We at CBES provide registered address services for our clients in multiple provinces.

6. Do I need to come to Canada to incorporate?
No, the incorporation could be done online, we only need your ID’s and some personal information. All corporate documents issued by the Registrars in Canada are in a digital form, there are no hard-copies of the documents.
We at CBES can provide incorporation services online without the need for you to come to Canada.

7. Can I use a Corporation for Immigration purposes?
Yes, there are multiple business related immigration programs.
We at CBES do not offer immigration services, but we work closely with many immigration companies and provide them with incorporation and corporate setup services in support of their immigration applications.

8. How do I take money out of a Corporation?
This should be discussed with a tax accountant to make sure you make the right decision. You could be paid dividends, management fees, or can bill your Canadian company for the services that your foreign business renders to it (administration, management, accounting and more).
Speak with us before you make the decision and we will provide the best strategy for taking the funds out of your corporation in Canada.

Useful Links:
Our video about Sole Proprietorship:    • Sole Proprietor in Canada. What you should...  
Our video about corporate tax system in Canada:    • Taxes in Canada. Personal Tax and Business...  
You can find Contracts for Business Owners in Canada here https://www.businessdocs.ca/



00:44 Can I incorporate as a non-resident in Canada?
01:53 Can I incorporate as a work/student permit holder in Canada?
03:08 As a non-resident, can I register a sole proprietorship in Canada?
05:25 Can I register an LLC in Canada?
06:24 What would be corporate tax rate in Canada?
07:42 Do I need a local address in Canada?
08:17 Do I need to come to Canada to incorporate?
09:09 Can I use a Corporation for Immigration purposes in Canada?
10:20 How do I take money out of a Corporation in Canada?