SBBC’s Business Advisors can help you untangle the knot. You can call us at 604-775-5525, or email us at [email protected].

SBBC’s Talk to an Expert service connects entrepreneurs with specialized business advisors in areas like small business law and more. Learn more and book your one-on-one consultation today.

Visit our dedicated Start-up Financing and Grants page and discover the options available to your business for early stage funding. WeBC have also created a helpful guide to Grants Available to BC Businesses.

The simple answer to this question is “it depends.”

What business structure you choose will depend on many factors and there are no simple rules for selecting which will be right for your business. Some questions to consider include:

• How many people are involved with the business?
• Are there outside investors?
• Do you have any personal assets you wish to keep separate from the business?
• Do you want to limit your liability?
• How much profit is the business expected to generate?
• How much do you wish as a salary?
• Will you be re-investing profits in the business, or do you want to take all profits as personal salary?
• What is your budget for registration?
• Are you prepared to pay the additional accounting fees required by corporations?

You have to investigate the different options and decide what makes the most sense for your business. An accountant and a lawyer can help you make an informed decision.

See also:

• How to Choose the Right Business Structure

Most municipalities in British Columbia require you to obtain a business licence, which gives you permission to operate your business on your premises (whether in your home or in a commercial space) within that municipality.

In some instances, you may be required to obtain a licence in municipalities where you do not maintain premises but do carry on business.

Contact your local city hall – as well as the city hall in each community where you’re doing business – to see which permits (including mobile business licences) might be required for your type of business.

Please note that additional federal, provincial, and/or municipal regulations may apply to your particular business. Consult the appropriate authority or visit www.bizpal.ca for more information.

Yes, but there are legal and tax requirements for non-Canadians starting a business in BC.

Non-residents are permitted to own a corporation in BC, but you must have a physical address for your business in BC – a post office box is not enough. You’ll also have to follow all of the usual legal requirements for starting a business.

Extra-provincial(aka “branch office” or “foreign office”) registration information can be found on the BC Government website.

As an entrepreneur generating revenue in Canada, you will have to submit a tax return on any Canadian revenues generated. To do this you will need to set up an account with Canada Revenue Agency when registering your Corporation in BC.

Always check with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in Vancouver to confirm what kind of permit you will need to enter the country. If you plan to work on your business in Canada, you will also have to contact CIC to obtain “working status.” If you’re a student and want to start a business while studying, you will have to apply to CIC for a special modified study permit to work on your business.

Please note that a working permit doesn’t enable you to become a Canadian Citizen. If you want to be a Canadian Citizen, you will have to apply to CIC for citizenship status.

See also:

• Do I Have to Be Canadian to Start a Business in BC?

A BCeID account provides secure access to online government services like the BC Business Registry.

• A client can obtain a Business BCeID online if they are able to provide their business details and prove the identity of their business.
• To provide their business details, they can:

• Use their BC Registry account (whether they created it using a Basic BCeID or their BC Services Card app)
• Use their CRA business number
• (They can also manually enter their business details, but that necessitates them going to a Service BC location and prove their identity)

• By choosing to use their BC Registry account, they will be prompted to enter:

• Their BC Registry account number (this is the secret passcode to verify online so that they immediately are approved for a Business BCeID)
• Their business’ registration number

• If they created the BC Registry account using a BCeID (Basic), they will have the option to convert it to a Business BCeID or opt to register for a net-new [Business] BCeID that they can then use for WorkSafe and other services.
• If they created the account using a BC Services Card app, they will be issued a net-new Business BCeID.