Jurisdiction overview: Canada
Canada is a highly reputable jurisdiction for international business, offering legal stability, access to North American markets, and a favorable corporate environment. Company registration in Canada is ideal for entrepreneurs who value transparency, strong legal protection, and international scalability.
The two most common forms are Federal Corporation and Provincial Corporation. A federal company can operate across all provinces, while a provincial company is registered within a specific region. In most provinces, at least one director must be a Canadian resident, although some (e.g. British Columbia) allow 100% foreign ownership.
There is no minimum capital requirement; companies are often incorporated with a nominal capital of 1 CAD. The incorporation process typically takes 2–5 business days and can be completed remotely.
Corporate tax rates range from 9% to 15% federally, with additional provincial taxes. Canada also offers tax benefits for small businesses. With proper structuring, it's possible to legally optimize taxation, particularly if the company does not generate income from Canadian sources.
A Canadian company can open business bank accounts locally and internationally, use services like Stripe and PayPal, and work with North American clients and marketplaces. Canada also has over 90 tax treaties, including with the U.S., UK, EU countries, China, and the UAE.