How to Register a Company in Canada: Options and Timeline

Foreign founders often ask how to register a company in Canada. The short answer is that you choose a legal structure, register it with the official registry, and then complete your tax registration and any licences your activity needs. Below are the registration routes ORBIZLY lists for Canada, with their typical timeline.

How do you register a company in Canada?

Federal/Provincial Business Registration. Typical time: About 1 to 2 business days for federal online incorporation (provinces vary). Where this comes from: Adviser guides, because the office does not publish an official figure. Corporations Canada warns of possible delays. Official page: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html

Not-for-Profit Corporation / Registered Charity. Typical time: Varies. Confirm with the registry. Official page: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en/not-profit-corporations

Pick the route that matches what you plan to do. If you are unsure which structure suits a business that will hire staff, sell abroad or take investment, ask an expert before you file.

What do you need after the company is registered?

A registered company usually still has to complete tax registration and, in some industries, extra permits. In Canada these are handled by the following bodies.

Tax and goods and services registration: the Canada Revenue Agency (Business Number and GST/HST registration). Official source: canada.ca

Sector-specific permits: the provincial or federal regulator for your sector, found through BizPaL. Official source: bizpal-perle.ca

Importing goods: the Canada Border Services Agency and Global Affairs Canada (for controlled goods). Official source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Exporting controlled goods: Global Affairs Canada (export and brokering permits) and the Canada Border Services Agency. Official source: international.gc.ca

Should you protect your brand when you register?

Registering a company does not protect your brand name. A trademark does. Filing early stops someone else from taking your name in Canada.

Trademark Filing (CIPO). Typical time: Long wait to first examination: CIPO's 2024 service standard is 18 to 28 months, and waits have been falling. Where this comes from: Official source: CIPO service standards. Check the current figure before you file. Official page: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00003.html

What is the next step?

Take the free ORBIZLY eligibility assessment to see which countries and programs fit your business, or book a consulting session to talk through company registration in Canada with an expert.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Timelines change and depend on your business. Ask for a quote for your case. Confirm the details with the official source linked above or with an expert before you apply.