Advantages to Incorporate in British Columbia

Incorporating a company in British Columbia (BC), Canada, as a non-resident comes with several strategic and practical advantages. British Columbia is one of the most popular provinces for foreign entrepreneurs and investors due to its business-friendly environment, modern infrastructure, and streamlined incorporation processes.

Incorporating in British Columbia
Advantages for Non-Resident

No Residency Requirement for Directors

Unlike some provinces (e.g., Ontario or Alberta), BC does not require Canadian residency for directors.
A non-resident can incorporate and be the sole director and shareholder, making it highly accessible for international business owners.

Business-Friendly Climate

British Columbia is known for its stable economy, low corruption, and efficient regulatory environment.
The province is a major hub for tech, real estate, film, green energy, and natural resources.

Ease of Incorporation

Online incorporation is simple, with most registrations processed within 1–2 business days.
The corporate registry system is modern and fully digital, allowing incorporation and annual filings to be done remotely.

Attractive Corporate Tax Rates

General corporate income tax rate: 12%
Small business tax rate: 2% (combined with 9% federal for CCPCs)
While non-resident corporations may not qualify for the Small Business Deduction, BC’s general rate is competitive.

Global Gateway Location

BC’s geographic location on the Pacific Rim makes it ideal for businesses dealing with Asia-Pacific markets (e.g., China, Japan, Korea).
Vancouver is a top-tier international city with access to ports, airports, and global trade networks.

Tech and Innovation Ecosystem

Vancouver and BC have a strong ecosystem for startups, digital media, blockchain, AI, and clean tech.
Numerous incubators, government grants, and funding programs are available for tech-focused businesses.

Virtual Business Operations

BC permits companies to maintain a virtual office or registered agent, so you do not need a physical office or presence in Canada.
Many services offer registered offices and mail forwarding.

Privacy and Flexibility

BC allows privacy in corporate structure: you’re not required to publicly disclose shareholders in the corporate registry.
Flexible share structures, no minimum capital requirement, and options for multiple share classes.

Access to Canadian Banking & Financing

Once incorporated, your BC corporation can:

Open a Canadian business bank account
Apply for credit and financing
Enter into contracts and leases as a legal Canadian entity

Note: Most banks require at least one in-person visit to open a corporate account.

Favorable Legal and Tax Treaties

Canada has double taxation treaties with over 90 countries, reducing withholding taxes and simplifying cross-border tax compliance.
Incorporating in BC allows access to Canada’s stable legal system and well-developed contract enforcement.

Considerations for Non-Residents

By setting up your business company in Canada, British Columbia, you will need to:

Appoint a registered office address in BC
File annual reports
Consider immigration or visa implications if planning to move or hire locally
Possibly pay withholding tax on dividends sent outside of Canada

Why BC?