§ NEW CORPORATION · NON-RESIDENT
Register a new corporation as a Non-Resident in 10 jurisdictions.
No Canadian company, no Canadian director, no travel. These ten provinces and territories let a non-resident incorporate a brand-new Canadian corporation with 100% foreign ownership — and we file in all of them, remotely.
- Fully remote, no travel required
- Director residency guidance by province
- Most filings back in 1–5 business days
Where to incorporate in Canada as a non-resident.
Ontario Corporation for Non-Residents
Canada’s largest market and the address Canadian banks and enterprise clients recognise instantly. No director residency requirement since 2021. The default choice if your customers are in Canada.
BC Corporation for Non-Residents
Long-standing zero-residency rules and a modern, fully digital registry. Strong fit for tech, ecommerce and anyone trading across the Pacific. Fast turnaround, well understood by banks.
Alberta Corporation for Non-Residents
Dropped its Canadian-director requirement in 2022 and pairs it with Canada’s lowest corporate tax rate. Attractive for energy, logistics and holding structures. NUANS report required.
Quebec Corporation for Non-Residents
Nova Scotia Corporation for Non-Residents
Flexible corporate statute with no director residency rule, and home of the Unlimited Liability Company (ULC) — the structure many U.S. parents use for cross-border tax treatment.
New Brunswick Corporation for Non-Residents
Low filing fees, light ongoing requirements and no residency rule. A practical, inexpensive East Coast base for founders who don’t need a marquee address.
PEI Corporation for Non-Residents
Yukon Corporation for Non-Residents
Business-friendly territorial legislation, no residency requirement, and a registry known for quick processing. Popular for holding companies and lean operating entities.
Northwest Territories Corporation for Non-Residents
Territorial incorporation with no director residency rule and minimal ongoing filings. Suits founders who want a Canadian entity without provincial complexity.
Nunavut Corporation for Non-Residents
The least-crowded name registry in Canada, no residency requirement, and simple annual compliance. Worth considering if your preferred company name is taken elsewhere.
Incorporate from your home country, in four steps.
Free Consultation
Name Clearance & Documents
We clear your company name with the registry, then prepare your articles, director consents and registered-office paperwork for e-signature.
Filing & Registration
We submit directly to the provincial or territorial registry as an authorized registry agent, and register your CRA business number.
Certificate & Next Steps
Your certificate, business number and banking document package arrive by email, with a compliance checklist for your annual filings.
Why non-resident founders file through us.
A registered paralegal firm and authorized registry agent. We file directly with provincial and territorial registries — not through a third party.
Name search, filing, registered office and business number handled from your home country. No travel, no Canadian director, no in-person appointment.
1–5 business days
Most filings are back within a week of receiving your documents, with the certificate and business number sent straight to your inbox.
Advice before you file
Director residency rules differ by province. We confirm the requirement for your situation upfront, so your filing isn’t rejected.
We don't disappear
Registered office, annual returns, CRA accounts and banking documents — the things a non-resident actually needs once the company exists.
FAQs — Register a New Corporation as a Non-Resident
Can a non-resident register a new corporation in Canada?
Yes. Non-residents can incorporate a Canadian corporation without citizenship, permanent residency, or a visa, provided they choose a jurisdiction that permits non-resident directors.
Which Canadian provinces have no director residency requirement?
Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut allow a corporation with no Canadian-resident directors. Federal (CBCA), Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador still require that 25% of directors be resident Canadians.
Can a non-resident be the sole director and sole shareholder?
Yes, in every jurisdiction listed above. One person living abroad can hold all shares and serve as the only director, which is the standard structure for solo foreign founders.
Can a foreign company own 100% of a Canadian corporation?
Yes. There is no restriction on foreign share ownership in these jurisdictions, though the Investment Canada Act requires notification for certain acquisitions and reviews investments in sensitive sectors above prescribed thresholds.
What documents does a non-resident need to incorporate in Canada?
A government-issued photo ID, a residential address in your home country, your proposed company name, a description of business activities, and a Canadian registered office address. Some registries also require a NUANS name search report.
Do I need a registered office address in Canada?
Yes. Every province and territory requires a physical Canadian address for official government and legal correspondence — a PO box will not satisfy this, and the address becomes part of the public record.
Should a non-resident incorporate federally or provincially?
Provincially, in most cases. Federal incorporation under the CBCA requires 25% Canadian-resident directors, which blocks foreign founders who have no Canadian partner.
Do I need a Canadian business number to operate?
Yes. The Canada Revenue Agency issues a business number for the corporation, and you will need program accounts for GST/HST, payroll or import-export depending on what the company does.
Does a non-resident-owned corporation have to register for GST/HST?
Registration becomes mandatory once worldwide taxable revenues exceed $30,000 in a rolling four-quarter period, and voluntary registration below that lets you recover input tax credits.
Is a Canadian corporation owned by a non-resident taxed in Canada?
Yes. A corporation incorporated in Canada is a resident for tax purposes and pays Canadian corporate tax on worldwide income, regardless of where its owners live.
Will my corporation qualify for the small business deduction?
Only if it is a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation. A corporation controlled by non-residents is not a CCPC and is taxed at the general corporate rate instead of the reduced small business rate.
Does incorporating in Canada give me immigration status or a work permit?
No. Owning a Canadian corporation confers no right to live or work in Canada — you would need a separate authorization such as an intra-company transfer work permit or a Start-up Visa.
Do I have to report the people who control my corporation?
Yes. Most jurisdictions now require a register of individuals with significant control, and federal corporations must file this information with Corporations Canada, where much of it is publicly searchable.
What happens if I miss my annual filings?
The registry can dissolve your corporation for non-compliance, which voids your legal standing, freezes bank accounts and forces a paid revival before you can trade again.