Foreign investors who want to open a company in any Canadian region will need to obtain a business license in Canada. This document testifies the fact that a businessowner has the right of engaging in a specific business activity and it is part of the process of company formation in Canada.
The procedure itself may vary from one Canadian province to another and investors should address local authorities for the issuance of the document. For instance, those who need a business permit in Vancouver or a business license (a different type of document than the permit) need to address the Business License Office.
Here, interested parties need to make an appointment in order to apply for this document, while in Alberta, the applications are made online. Considering these, investors who want to set up a company in Canada are invited to address our consultants for tailored assistance on the issuance of a business license available in the Canadian province where they want to carry their activity.
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Permits and licenses in Canada
Businessowners may need to apply for a business license in Canada as mandatory requirement, depending on the company’s activity, the region where it is carried out and the legislation applicable to it. Likewise, it can be required to obtain a business permit in Canada.
These 2 types of documents refer to 2 different matters. While a business license in Canada shows that a business has the right to develop commercial activities in a given region and industry, the business permit in Canada provides evidence on the fact that the respective business complies with all the regulations applicable to its specific operations.
In most cases, all those who want to open a company in Canada are required to obtain a business license, although exemptions can apply. Our specialists in company incorporation in Canada can advise on when this can be the case.
Apply for a business license in British Columbia (BC), Canada
Individuals and companies that want to engage in acommercial activity in BCare required to apply for suitable licenses and permits. The issuance of a business license in BC Canada is done following the rules of the Business License Act of British Columbia.
The legislation stipulates that any party developing commercial activities is required to obtain the business license in BC Canada, otherwise penalties are imposed. The same applies in the case of those who did not renew their permits/licenses upon expiry.
Investors who willstart a business in Canada in the BC province can be required to apply for a business permit in Vancouver (the largest city in BC) if their company will own vehicles that are oversized. For this, they need to apply for an oversize/overload business permit in Vancouver.
License fees in Vancouver
For the issuance of licenses in this city, the following are available:
- the business license must be renewed before 31st of December, each year;
- the types of licenses issued here were reorganized starting with 6th of May 2024;
- under the new reorganization scheme, companies in Vancouver can now apply for less than 100 licenses (compared to 500 licenses, under the previous system);
- the license application fee is $70.
All Canadian provinces apply fees for the issuance of the license. The same is true for those who want to acquire a business license in Manitoba. Please know that if you plan to hire foreign workforce in this province, you need to apply for a Foreign Worker’s License.
Foreign employees can arrive in this country under various immigration programs. Two popular options are the Owner Operator Program in Canada and theintra-company transfer in Canada (they are dedicated to qualified workforce).
We invite you to address our consultants for further information on other licenses and permits that may be required here. For instance,businessowners in Ontariomay need to apply for a master business license in Canada.
Pleasecontact usfor tailored assistance and company incorporation services. We also provide post-incorporation services, such as accounting, which can be completed with the services of our CPA in Canada.