Options explained before you apply
Understand the registration types available for your ownership and intended province.
- Canadian business. Confident beginnings.
NON-RESIDENT BUSINESS REGISTRATION
Register a Canadian business while living abroad. Form a B.C. or Ontario limited partnership, or register a general partnership or sole proprietorship, with your partner and address requirements explained.
START A CANADIAN BUSINESS FROM ABROAD
Non-resident business registration lets people living outside Canada register a sole proprietorship, general partnership or limited partnership in a Canadian province.
Registration, immigration permission and tax status are separate matters. Confirm your business address, partner roles and reporting obligations before you apply.
FOUR NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Choose an Ontario or BC limited partnership, or explore registration for a general partnership or sole proprietor. Each option has different ownership and liability rules.
Compare partnership and sole proprietor options for your plans in Canada.
For a limited partnership in British Columbia
Form a BC limited partnership.
Register a BC LP with your business name, partner details and required business address.
For a limited partnership in Ontario
Establish an Ontario limited partnership.
Register an Ontario LP with the general partner details and principal place of business.
For two or more business partners
Register a jointly owned business.
Register a general partnership with the business name, activities and partner information.
For an individual business owner
Register your business as a sole proprietor.
Set up a sole proprietorship with your owner details, business name and required address.
Unsure which option fits? Tell us where you live, where the business will operate and who will own it. We can explain the available registration services.
Discuss your registration ↗WHY CHOOSE NUANS PRE-SEARCH
Starting from outside Canada brings questions about names, addresses and partner information. NP helps you understand the selected registration and prepare the details required for submission.
Questions? Speak with our teamUnderstand the registration types available for your ownership and intended province.
We review the business and owner or partner information needed for the selected filing.
Reach our team by email or phone for questions about your registration application.
HOW NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION WORKS
Choose your service, provide the required information and receive your registration documents when the filing is completed.
Select a BC LP, Ontario LP, general partnership or sole proprietorship based on your plans.
Compare the four options ↗Submit the proposed name, activities, addresses and owner or partner information for review.
Confirm any name approval and supporting documentsAfter registration is completed, keep your documents for tax accounts, banking and future updates.
Banking and tax account requirements remain separate
NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION CHECKLIST
Prepare these details before placing your order. Additional documents depend on the structure, province and whether an owner or partner is an entity.
Proposed business name
Your preferred name, alternatives and any required provincial name approval.
Structure & business activity
The province, ownership structure and a short description of your planned activities.
Business & contact addresses
Your overseas contact address and the Canadian address required for the chosen registration.
Owner or partner information
Legal names, addresses and identification; entity documents where an owner or partner is a business.
CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE
See what customers across Canada say about working with us, then talk to our team about your plans.
Read what business owners, founders and organizations say about working with NP, then speak with our team about the right service for you.
NON-RESIDENT BUSINESS GUIDE
Consider ownership, provincial requirements, immigration rules and tax obligations before choosing your service.
A sole proprietorship has one individual owner; a general partnership has two or more partners. These structures do not provide the same liability separation as a corporation.
Choose based on who will own and run the business, and discuss personal liability with a qualified adviser.
Compare registration options ↗A limited partnership has at least one general partner and one limited partner. Ontario and British Columbia have different name, address and registration requirements.
Choose the province that fits your actual business arrangements, rather than assuming every LP has identical requirements.
Explore limited partnerships ↗Registering a business does not grant a work permit or immigration status. Owning a Canadian business and working physically in Canada are separate questions.
Check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements before planning work or travel.
Read IRCC business visitor guidance ↗Review CRA account requirements, keep financial records and update provincial registration details when they change. Your obligations depend on business activity and the people or entities involved.
Non-resident ownership does not automatically remove Canadian tax obligations; obtain advice for your Canadian and home-country reporting.
Explore CRA account registration ↗FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers about ownership, provincial registration, required information and responsibilities after starting a Canadian business.
Tell us your planned structure and province. Our team can clarify the registration service and information needed.
Contact our team ↗Yes, non-residents can register certain Canadian business structures, subject to provincial rules and the requirements of the selected structure. Confirm eligibility, business addresses and owner or partner details before applying.
A sole proprietorship suits one individual owner, a general partnership involves two or more partners, and a limited partnership separates general and limited partner roles. Compare liability, management and tax obligations before selecting your registration.
No, a general partner generally has unlimited liability, while a limited partner’s liability is generally limited to their contribution if the applicable legal conditions are met. A limited partner’s involvement in management can affect that protection.
Address requirements depend on the province and business structure; an Ontario limited partnership must have a principal place of business in Ontario. Confirm the required business, mailing and any service addresses before filing.
Prepare the proposed business name, activity description, addresses and legal details of the owner or partners. Identification, name approval or formation documents for an entity partner may also be required for the chosen filing.
Yes, the CRA provides a non-resident registration route for applicants who do not have a Canadian Social Insurance Number. A business number and any required program accounts are separate from the provincial registration.
No, business registration does not give you immigration status or permission to work in Canada. Check IRCC requirements before undertaking work or entering Canada for business activities.
No, non-resident ownership does not automatically make a Canadian LP tax-free. Canadian-source income, business activities, treaty rules and partner circumstances determine tax and reporting obligations in Canada and abroad.
You may need GST/HST registration based on your taxable supplies and the rules for non-residents, and a payroll account if you must make payroll deductions. Review the CRA registration requirements for your activities rather than assuming business registration includes every account.
Name requirements depend on the province and structure; BC generally requires name approval before registering a named proprietorship or partnership. A registered business name does not by itself provide trademark protection.
Keep owner or partner details, addresses, registrations and required licences current, and meet applicable tax filing and record-keeping obligations. Missing required updates, renewals or tax filings can result in penalties or registration problems.