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Special Considerations for Newcomers

You don’t need to be a Canadian citizen to start a business in the province of British Columbia. You don’t even need to reside in BC so long as you are able to provide a physical address for your BC business. That said, there are a few additional factors for newcomers to consider.

 

Immigration Pathways

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada to start a business, there are several pathways designed specifically to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed individuals. 

At the federal level, there is the Start-up Visa Program for entrepreneurs with the potential to build innovative, globally competitive businesses that are capable of creating jobs in Canada.

There is also the Self-employed Persons Program for those with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics.

If you want to start your business in the province of British Columbia, another good option is the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Immigration stream. 

More information:

Legal Requirements

In addition to all the legal requirements that apply equally to everyone, non-citizens living in BC should consider the following:

  1. You must be legally entitled to work as a self-employed person in Canada. Check with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to ensure that you have the correct working status to work on your business in Canada. 
  2. You will be subject to the Investment Canada Act and must submit a Notification or Application for Review.
  3. Should you structure your business as a Federal Corporation, residency requirements will apply.

More information:

Useful Websites

Note: this guide is aimed at non-Canadians looking for general information about laws, regulations and taxes that apply to starting and operating a business in BC.