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Incorporate.ltd
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Canada

Americas

15% federal + 0–16% provincial (23–31% combined)

企业所得税

1–5 business days

设立时间

None (no minimum)

最低资本

100% (restrictions in some sectors: airlines, banking, telecom, broadcasting)

外资持股

#23

营商便利度

Best Answer

Canada offers a stable, transparent, and globally credible business environment — and the second-most sought-after destination after the US for North American market access. Federal incorporation is available to non-residents via Corporations Canada (CAD 200 online), and provincial incorporation is available in most provinces. Canada's 15% federal corporate tax + provincial (0–16% depending on province) gives a combined rate of 23–31% for most businesses. The Startup Visa Program is among the world's most accessible founder immigration routes — if you have a viable startup and a designated organisation's support, you can become a permanent resident. Banking is good, English-speaking (with French as second official language), and compliance is well-documented.

Who this is for
  • Founders targeting North American markets who want an alternative or complement to a US entity
  • Entrepreneurs pursuing the Canadian Startup Visa for permanent residence
  • Tech startups eligible for the SR&ED tax credit — particularly software, AI, and cleantech companies
  • CCPCs seeking the small business deduction (9% federal rate on first CAD 500,000)
  • Companies wanting a credible North American base with strong immigration pathways
Key Caution

Federal incorporation requires at least 25% of directors to be Canadian residents for most corporation types (though some exceptions apply). British Columbia and Nova Scotia have eliminated this requirement for provincial incorporation. If you cannot meet the residency requirement, consider BC or NS provincial incorporation. Additionally, the combined federal-provincial tax rate varies significantly by province — Alberta (23%) is considerably lower than Nova Scotia (31%).

概览

货币CAD (C$)
官方语言English, French
法律体系Common law (civil law in Quebec)
财政年度Company chooses (first fiscal year cannot exceed 53 weeks)
避免双重征税协定95
国际组织成员WTO, OECD, G7, G20, USMCA, CPTPP, NATO, UN, Five Eyes, APEC

可用的企业结构

费用概览

Cost Breakdown (USD)
注册费用
CAD 500–3,000
年度合规
CAD 1,500–6,000
办公场所
CAD 150–500/month (virtual office); CAD 2,000–8,000/month (physical office in major cities)

税务概览

Tax Snapshot
企业所得税
15% federal + 0–16% provincial (23–31% combined)
增值税 / 商品及服务税
5% (GST) + provincial sales tax in some provinces

银行开户实况

开户便利度

时间线: 1–3 weeks

Canada has five major banks — RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC — all of which offer business accounts for incorporated companies. Account opening is generally straightforward for companies with a Canadian-resident director or officer who can visit a branch. Non-residents may face additional scrutiny and delays. Some banks allow partial remote onboarding but typically require at least one in-person visit for identity verification. Digital banking alternatives (e.g., Wise Business, RBC Express) can bridge the gap for initial operations. KYC requirements include corporate registration documents, director identification, proof of business address, and a description of business activities.

签证与移民

创业签证 / 初创企业签证
数字游民签证
黄金签证 / 投资者签证

Canada's Startup Visa Program is among the world's most accessible founder immigration routes. Applicants must secure a letter of support from a designated organisation — a venture capital fund (minimum CAD 200,000 investment), an angel investor group (minimum CAD 75,000), or a business incubator. Approved applicants receive permanent residence. The processing time is typically 12–16 months. Canada also offers the Intra-Company Transfer work permit for employees of multinational companies transferring to a Canadian affiliate, and the Owner-Operator LMIA pathway for business owners. Canada does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa, though visitor visas allow stays of up to 6 months (remote work for a foreign employer is a grey area).

常见错误

Incorporating federally without meeting the 25% Canadian-resident director requirement

Fix: The CBCA requires at least 25% of directors (at least one if the board has fewer than four) to be Canadian residents. If no founder qualifies, consider incorporating provincially in British Columbia or Nova Scotia, which have no residency requirement. Alternatively, appoint a qualified Canadian resident as a director.

Failing to register extra-provincially when operating in multiple provinces

Fix: Both federal and provincial corporations must register extra-provincially in each province where they carry on business. Failure to register can result in fines and the inability to enforce contracts in that province. File the extra-provincial registration as soon as you begin operations in a new province.

Not claiming the SR&ED tax credit for qualifying R&D activities

Fix: The SR&ED program provides refundable tax credits of up to 35% for CCPCs on the first CAD 3 million of qualifying expenditures (15% for larger companies). Many tech companies miss this because they assume their work does not qualify. SR&ED covers systematic investigation through experiment or analysis — including software development that involves technological uncertainty. Engage a SR&ED consultant to assess eligibility.

Ignoring GST/HST registration when turnover exceeds CAD 30,000

Fix: GST/HST registration is mandatory when worldwide taxable supplies exceed CAD 30,000 in any single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters. The threshold is lower than many founders expect. Register proactively through your CRA Business Account to avoid backdated assessments.

常见问题

迈出下一步

获取设立概览 — Canada

个性化费用估算、推荐结构及后续步骤。

This content is educational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation. Data last verified March 2026.