To incorporate a business in Vancouver, Canada, you can register provincially through BC Registry Services or federally through Corporations Canada. Provincial BC incorporation costs $380 in total — $350 filing fee plus $30 name approval — and takes as little as one business day online. It does not require a lawyer for simple single-shareholder companies. Total cost runs from $380 (DIY) to $2,000+ depending on whether you file yourself, use an online service, or work with a lawyer.
This guide walks through every step of the incorporation process in Vancouver, including the differences between provincial and federal registration, total costs, address requirements, and your ongoing obligations after the company is formed.
Why Incorporate in Vancouver, BC?
Vancouver has established itself as one of Canada's most dynamic cities for business formation. The city is a major technology hub, home to growing clusters in software, AI, and clean technology. Companies like Hootsuite, Visier, Trulioo, and Slack (whose Vancouver roots trace back to co-founder Stewart Butterfield's BC origins) have shaped the city's tech ecosystem alongside dozens of funded startups.
Beyond tech, Vancouver serves as Canada's primary gateway to the Asia-Pacific market. The Port of Vancouver is the country's largest port by tonnage, and the city's geographic position makes it a natural base for businesses trading with Asia. This proximity drives significant activity in import-export, logistics, and international consulting.
Vancouver is also the third-largest film production centre in North America, behind only Los Angeles and New York. The film and visual effects industry generates billions annually in British Columbia, creating a wide ecosystem of production companies, post-production studios, and creative services firms. Production companies incorporating here typically anchor their permanent establishment to a BC address to qualify for the provincial Film Incentive BC credit on top of the federal stack — covered in Canadian Film Production Company Business Address.
For founders, the city offers a well-developed startup ecosystem supported by organizations like Launch Academy, the Vancouver Economic Commission, and a deep talent pool drawn from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. British Columbia's provincial tax rates for small businesses are among the lowest in Canada, with a combined federal-provincial rate of 11% on the first $500,000 of active business income.
Provincial vs Federal Incorporation in Canada
When incorporating in Vancouver, you have two paths: provincial incorporation under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (BCBCA) or federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). Both result in a legally recognized corporation, but they differ in scope, cost, and director requirements.
Provincial incorporation through BC Registry Services registers your company in British Columbia. Your corporate name is protected within the province, the filing fee is $350 online, and there is no requirement that directors be Canadian residents. This last point is particularly important for international founders — British Columbia is one of the few Canadian provinces with no director residency requirement whatsoever.
Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada registers your company across all of Canada. Your corporate name is protected nationally, but you must still extra-provincially register in BC to operate there. The federal filing fee is $200, plus a NUANS name search report of approximately $13.80. The CBCA no longer imposes a director-residency requirement — the former 25%-resident-Canadian rule was repealed by Bill C-25 (in force 2019) — so, like BC, a federal corporation can have an entirely non-resident board.
| Feature | BC Provincial (BCBCA) | Federal (CBCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $350 | $200 |
| Name search (NUANS) | Not required (but name approval $30) | ~$13.80 |
| Name protection | British Columbia only | All of Canada |
| Director residency | No requirement | No requirement (former 25% rule repealed by Bill C-25, in force 2019) |
| Extra-provincial registration | Not needed in BC | Required in BC (additional fee) |
| Processing time | 1 business day (online) | 1-5 business days |
For most Vancouver-based businesses operating primarily in British Columbia, provincial incorporation is the simpler and more cost-effective choice. Federal incorporation makes sense if you plan to operate across multiple provinces or want nationwide name protection from the outset.
Step-by-Step: Incorporating in BC
The incorporation process in British Columbia is straightforward and can be completed entirely online through BC Registry Services. Here are the six key steps.
Step 1: Name approval. Before you can incorporate, you need an approved company name. Submit a Name Request through BC Registry Services, which costs $30. The system checks your proposed name against existing registrations in British Columbia. You can also choose to incorporate as a numbered company (e.g., 1234567 B.C. Ltd.) at no additional name request cost if you do not need a specific business name.
Step 2: Draft your Articles of Incorporation. The Articles define your company's share structure, any special rights or restrictions on shares, and other foundational rules. BC uses a standard set of Articles that work for most simple incorporations. If your company has multiple share classes or specific shareholder agreements, consider having a lawyer review the Articles before filing.
Step 3: Submit your incorporation through BC Registry Services. File your incorporation application online at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. The filing fee is $350. You will need to provide your approved company name (or request a numbered company), your registered office address in BC, your records office address, and details of your initial directors and share structure.
Step 4: Receive your Incorporation Number. Once processed — typically within one business day for online filings — you will receive a BC Incorporation Number and a Certificate of Incorporation. This is your company's official proof of existence.
Step 5: Register with the CRA. After incorporation, apply for a federal Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency. You will also need to register for a GST/HST account if your revenue will exceed $30,000 over four consecutive quarters. You can register online through the CRA's Business Registration Online service.
Step 6: Obtain a municipal business licence. The City of Vancouver requires most businesses operating within city limits to hold a valid business licence. Fees vary depending on your business type and location. Apply through the City of Vancouver's online licensing portal.
Do I automatically get registered with CRA when I incorporate?
No — incorporation and CRA registration are two separate steps. Receiving your BC Incorporation Number does not automatically open a federal Business Number (BN), a GST/HST account, a payroll account, or a corporate income tax account. You apply for these separately through the CRA's Business Registration Online service after your company exists. Most founders complete this within the first week of incorporating, since the BN is required to open a Canadian business bank account and to issue tax-compliant invoices.
The exception is if you incorporate through a federal portal or filing service that bundles a CRA registration step — those flows can request your BN at the same time. BC Registry Services itself does not, so a BC provincial incorporation always involves a separate CRA step.
Address Requirements for BC Incorporation
British Columbia's Business Corporations Act requires every incorporated company to maintain two addresses in the province: a registered office and a records office. These can be the same address, and for most small businesses, they are.
The registered office is the address where legal documents, government correspondence, and notices can be served on the company. It must be a physical address in British Columbia — not a PO box. This address is part of the public record and is searchable through BC Registry Services.
The records office is where the company's corporate records are kept, including the register of directors, the register of shareholders, and minutes of meetings. Again, this must be a BC address.
In addition, the CRA mailing address is where the federal government sends tax correspondence, notices of assessment, and other business communications. This does not have to be the same as your registered or records office, but it must be a valid Canadian street address capable of receiving mail.
A virtual mailbox in British Columbia satisfies all three requirements. A commercial street address in Vancouver that receives mail on your behalf is fully compliant with the BCBCA's registered office provisions and the CRA's mailing address requirements. This is a practical solution for founders who work remotely, travel frequently, or simply want to keep their home address off the public record.
How much does it cost to incorporate in BC? (DIY vs Online Service vs Lawyer)
The total cost of incorporating in BC depends on which path you take. The government fees are the same in every case — what changes is what you add on top.
Path 1: DIY (file yourself online) — ~$380
This is what BC Registry Services charges directly. Most single-shareholder companies use this path.
- Name Request: $30 (waived if using a numbered company like 1234567 B.C. Ltd.)
- Incorporation filing fee: $350
- Total: ~$380 plus your time (typically 1–2 hours for a simple incorporation)
Path 2: Online filing service — $380 + service fee
Several Canadian online filing services package the BC government fees with name search support, Articles drafting from a template, and filing on your behalf. Service fees vary by provider — verify current pricing on each provider's website before deciding. The underlying $380 in BC government fees still applies in addition to the service charge.
Path 3: Lawyer-assisted — $380 + $500–$2,000+
For corporations with multiple share classes, shareholder agreements, planned investor rounds, or trust-based ownership, a lawyer typically drafts custom Articles of Incorporation for $500–$2,000 depending on complexity. This is on top of the $380 government fees.
Federal incorporation with BC extra-provincial registration
If you incorporate federally and operate in BC, you also need to register extra-provincially in BC.
- NUANS name search: ~$13.80
- Federal incorporation fee: $200
- BC extra-provincial registration: check BC Registry Services for the current fee
- Total: approximately $213.80 + extra-provincial registration fee
For most Vancouver-based businesses operating only in BC, provincial incorporation at $380 is simpler and cheaper than the federal-plus-extra-provincial path.
Ongoing address costs are part of the total
Your registered office and CRA mailing address are not free either. A traditional office lease in Vancouver can run $500–$900 per month or more for even a small space. A virtual mailbox is a fraction of that cost while still providing a compliant registered office address, mail handling, and a professional business presence.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in BC?
No — most BC incorporations don't require a lawyer. The BC Registry Services online filing system is designed for self-service, and a single-shareholder company with standard Articles can be incorporated DIY in 1–2 hours for $380 in government fees. A lawyer becomes worthwhile when your structure is non-standard: multiple share classes, custom shareholder agreements, planned investor rounds, or trust-based ownership. For those cases, expect $500–$2,000 in legal fees on top of the government fees.
If you're unsure which path applies to you, the simplest test is whether your incorporation is "one founder, one share class, no outside investors" — if yes, DIY is almost always fine.
After Incorporation: Annual Obligations
Once your BC corporation is active, you have several recurring obligations to maintain good standing.
Annual Report: Every BC corporation must file an Annual Report with BC Registry Services. The fee is a small annual amount (roughly $43) that BC Registry Services adjusts periodically; confirm the current fee on the BC Registry Services schedule before filing. The report confirms or updates your company's registered office address, records office address, and directors. Failing to file can result in your company being dissolved.
CRA T2 Corporate Tax Return: Your corporation must file a T2 return with the CRA within six months of its fiscal year-end, regardless of whether the company earned income. Late filing triggers penalties and interest.
GST/HST filing: If your corporation is registered for GST/HST — mandatory once revenues exceed $30,000 in four consecutive quarters — you must file regular GST/HST returns. The filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually) depends on your revenue level.
BC PST registration: If your business sells taxable goods or software in British Columbia, you may need to register for and collect Provincial Sales Tax (PST) at 7%. This is separate from GST/HST and is administered by the BC Ministry of Finance.
Staying on top of these deadlines is essential. A reliable business address ensures you receive all government correspondence on time — missed CRA notices or Annual Report reminders can lead to penalties, interest, or even involuntary dissolution of your company.
FAQ
How long does it take to incorporate in Vancouver, Canada?
Provincial incorporation through BC Registry Services is typically processed within one business day when filed online. Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada takes one to five business days. Delays can occur if there are issues with your name request or if additional documentation is required.
Do I need a physical office to incorporate in BC?
No. The BC Business Corporations Act requires a registered office address that is a physical street address in British Columbia, but it does not need to be a traditional office. A virtual address with a real street address satisfies the BCBCA requirements. Many Vancouver-based corporations use a virtual mailbox as their registered and records office.
Can a non-resident incorporate in Vancouver?
Yes, for BC provincial incorporation. British Columbia has no director residency requirement, making it one of the most accessible provinces in Canada for international founders. A non-resident can serve as the sole director and shareholder of a BC corporation. Federal incorporation under the CBCA no longer imposes a director-residency requirement either — the former 25%-resident-Canadian rule was repealed by Bill C-25 (in force 2019). You will still need a registered office address in BC regardless of your personal residency.