Business Services for Non-Residents in Canada
Explore specialized Canadian business services for non-resident owners and businesses considering a shelf corporation. Choose the service that fits your needs, provide the required information online, and receive the applicable corporate documents electronically.
Get it Done in 3 Simple Steps
1
Choose Your Business Service
Select the service that fits your situation and provide the required owner, corporation, and business information online.
2
We Prepare Your Order
Your information is reviewed before the applicable corporate or registration documents are prepared.
3
Receive Your Documents
Once the service is completed, the applicable corporate documents and information are delivered electronically.
Offshore Company
- Explore eligible Canadian corporation or registration options for non-resident ownership
- Form a new Canadian corporation or register an existing foreign entity where applicable
- Prepare applicable incorporation or registration documents
- Address requirements for the jurisdiction and structure selected
- Review provided ownership, director, and office information
- Completed corporate documents delivered electronically
Shelf Corporation
- Acquire an existing corporation that was previously incorporated
- Review available corporate details and filing status before proceeding
- Update ownership and corporate records where applicable
- Complete director or office changes where required
- Review known filing history and maintenance obligations
- Applicable corporate documents delivered electronically
Business Services for Non-Resident Owners
Starting or operating a business connected to Canada can involve different corporate and registration requirements when the owners are outside the country. BC Business Register provides specialized services for non-resident owners who need an eligible Canadian business structure or want to register an existing foreign entity.
The appropriate option depends on whether you are establishing a new business, bringing an existing foreign company into Canada, or acquiring an existing shelf corporation.
Why Choose BC Business Register for Business Services?
✓ Specialized Service Options: Choose between non-resident business setup and an existing shelf corporation.
✓ Structure-Specific Preparation: Documents are prepared based on the corporation or registration option selected.
✓ Non-Resident Considerations: Address applicable Canadian registration requirements when ownership or operations involve another jurisdiction.
✓ Corporate Record Support: Update relevant ownership, director, office, or corporate information where required.
✓ Related Registration Services: Access additional corporate and registry services as your business needs change.
Offshore Company or Shelf Corporation: Which Option Fits?
For this service, “offshore company” is a commercial term used for helping non-resident owners establish or register an eligible business structure connected to Canada. It is not a separate legal corporation type under Canadian or British Columbia corporate law.
If an existing foreign entity begins carrying on business in British Columbia, it generally must register as an extraprovincial company within two months, subject to the applicable rules and exceptions under the Business Corporations Act.
A shelf corporation is different because the corporation already exists. It has typically remained inactive before being transferred to a new owner. The Government of Canada recognizes that shelf corporations can be used for legitimate purposes, but their existing history makes careful due diligence important before acquisition.
Neither option automatically provides tax, banking, financing, or legal advantages. Canadian tax and registration obligations depend on where and how the business operates and the specific facts of the situation. CRA confirms that determining whether a non-resident is carrying on business in Canada requires consideration of multiple factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about non-resident business setup, offshore company services, shelf corporations, foreign company registration, and Canadian business requirements.
“Offshore company” is not a separate Canadian legal entity type. For this service, the term refers to helping a non-resident owner establish an eligible Canadian business structure or register an existing foreign entity where required.
Yes. Non-residents can own shares in many Canadian corporations. Director residency rules depend on the jurisdiction. British Columbia’s corporate legislation does not impose a general Canadian residency or citizenship requirement on directors, while federally incorporated CBCA corporations generally require at least 25% of directors to be resident Canadians, or at least one resident Canadian director if there are fewer than four directors.
A foreign entity that begins carrying on business in British Columbia generally must register as an extraprovincial company within two months. The Business Corporations Act sets out the applicable rules and circumstances for registration.
Not automatically. Canadian tax obligations depend on factors such as where the business operates, where services are performed, where contracts are made, the location of assets and employees, and the type of income or supplies involved. CRA treats whether a non-resident is carrying on business in Canada as a fact-specific determination.
It depends on the business activities and registrations required. A non-resident business may need CRA program accounts, including GST/HST registration in applicable circumstances. The requirements depend on how the business operates in or supplies goods or services to Canada.
A shelf corporation is an existing corporation that has generally remained inactive before being transferred to another owner for future use. It already has an incorporation history rather than being created through a new incorporation filing.
No. A new corporation is created through a new incorporation process. A shelf corporation has already been incorporated and therefore has an earlier incorporation date and existing corporate history.
No. Acquiring an older corporation does not guarantee approval for a bank account, credit, financing, payment processing, or other financial services. Financial institutions apply their own identity, ownership, compliance, and due-diligence requirements.
Not necessarily. Corporate age by itself does not guarantee greater credibility, financing access, tax benefits, or commercial advantages. The corporation’s history, status, records, and obligations are more important considerations.
Review the corporation’s legal status, filing history, directors, registered office information, corporate records, ownership information, outstanding obligations, and any known liabilities before proceeding with an acquisition.
Potentially. Because the corporation already exists, its corporate history and obligations should be reviewed before ownership changes. A shelf corporation should not be assumed to be free from liabilities simply because it has been inactive.