Non-residents are permitted to own a corporation in BC, but you must have a physical address for your business in BC – a post office box is not enough. You’ll also have to follow all of the usual legal requirements for starting a business.

Extra-provincial (aka “branch office” or “foreign office”) registration information can be found here: www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca/WebHelp/whskin_tw.htm#overview_xp.htm

As an entrepreneur generating revenue in Canada, you will have to submit a tax return on any Canadian revenues generated. To do this you will need to set up an account with Canada Revenue Agency when registering your Corporation in BC.

Always check with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in Vancouver to confirm what kind of permit you will need to enter the country. If you plan to work on your business in Canada, you will also have to contact CIC to obtain “working status.” If you’re a student and want to start a business while studying, you will have to apply to CIC for a special modified study permit to work on your business.

Please note that a working permit doesn’t enable you to become a Canadian Citizen. If you want to be a Canadian Citizen, you will have to apply to CIC for citizenship status.

See also:

• • New Program to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Canada

One reason that small businesses fail is because they undercapitalize their business, so it’s important to know how much money you will actually need to start and to run your business until you reach your break-even point – the point when your sales revenue equals your total expenses.

Your financing options will vary depending on how much you need to borrow. You can begin investigating your options here:

• Canada Small Business Financing Program
• Industry Canada – Find Money for Your Business
• Vancity Business Loans

Specialized financing options:

• Futurpreneur Start-up Financing (for entrepreneurs aged 18-39)
• Women’s Enterprise Centre Business Loans (for business with 51% female ownership)
• Community Futures Loans (for entrepreneurs in rural communities)
• BDC Equipment Line (for equipment purchases)

A business plan will have eight key sections, including:

1. Executive Summary
2. Identify Opportunities
3. Market Research
4. Marketing and Sales
5. Your Team
6. Financial Forecasts
7. Implementation Plan
8. Appendices

Business plan templates:

• Bplans.com
• Scotia Plan Writer
• Futurpreneur Business Plan Writer
• Business Development Bank of Canada Templates

• You can submit the registration online at bcbusinessregistry.ca for a fee of $40. Processing time will take approximately 15 minutes.
• You can submit your registration in-person at Small Business BC with the assistance of a business officer for a fee of $99 +GST. Processing time will is the same as when submitting on your own online, but you’ll also get a one-on-one consultation with a business officer.
• You can submit a paper copy of registration form by mail directly to the Corporate Registry for a fee of $40. Processing time will take approximately 2 weeks.

• You must submit the application online at corporateonline.gov.bc.ca for a fee of $351.58. Processing time is instant, but paper copies of your incorporation certificate and original application will be mailed to you.
• If you do not wish to submit the application online, you will then need to contact a lawyer to do it for you.

Most municipalities in British Columbia require you to obtain a business licence, which gives you permission to operate your business on your premises (whether in your home or in a commercial space) within that municipality.

Registering a business in BC is relatively straightforward, but first you need to decide if your company structure will be a proprietorship, partnership or corporation.

Once you’ve settled on a company structure, the first step of registering your business is name reservation. You can apply for up to three names on one application, and you should thoroughly research your name choices before submitting your application.

Once you have researched your name choices you can submit the name reservation application by proceeding to Step 3 on www.bcregistrynames.gov.bc.ca/nro. Alternatively, you can print the name request application form and mail it directly to the Corporate Registry with payment.

Your options:

• You can submit the form online for a fee of $31.58 payable by MasterCard or Visa.
• You can submit the form though the Small Business BC office for a fee of $50 +GST payable by cash, debit, MasterCard or Visa.
• You can mail the form directly to the Corporate Registry for a fee of $30 payable by cheque or money order.

The processing time varies depending on how you submit your application. If you submit it online or in-person, processing time is approx. 5–8 business days, and if you are mailing the application it usually takes an additional week.

Once your business name has been processed and approved, you can file the business registration application.

In some instances, you may be required to obtain a licence in municipalities where you do not maintain premises but do carry on business.

Contact your local city hall – as well as the city hall in each community where you’re doing business – to see which permits (including mobile business licences) might be required for your type of business.

Please note that additional federal, provincial, and/or municipal regulations may apply to your particular business. Consult the appropriate authority or visit www.bizpal.ca for more information.