Local context: India
Start a business in Canada from India
Indian founders, IT firms and exporters use Canadian entities to contract with North American clients in local currency and on local terms. We handle incorporation, CRA setup and the accounting behind it.
- Working with founders in
- Bengaluru, Pune and across India
- Registration
- Usually one to two business days, remotely
- Director residency
- None for an Ontario corporation
- Packages
- From CAD 1,495
Registering a Canadian business does not create residency, citizenship, immigration status, credit, loan or bank account approval. Pricing shown is indicative and confirmed in writing before any engagement begins.
What changes
What changes when you incorporate in Canada from India
If you run a Private Limited company, the Canadian equivalent is straightforward, but the compliance rhythm differs. There is no monthly GSTR-style filing in Canada; HST is typically quarterly or annual, corporate tax is annual with instalments, and there is no equivalent to TDS on most domestic payments.
The structure review comes first, then registration, the CRA accounts, and the bookkeeping and tax that keep the company compliant from a distance.
Typical India-based scenarios
Who usually does this
- 01A Bengaluru or Pune IT services firm invoicing Canadian clientsServed
- 02An exporter setting up Canadian import accounts and distributionServed
- 03A founder building a Canadian SaaS entity for North American customersServed
- 04A family business establishing a Canadian holding companyServed
Terminology
What things are called in Canada
Same concepts, different names. This is the translation you will need in your first CRA conversation.
| In India | In Canada |
|---|---|
| Private Limited Company | Corporation (Ontario or federal) |
| GST (monthly returns) | GST/HST (usually quarterly or annual) |
| PAN / TAN | CRA Business Number and program accounts |
| TDS | Payroll source deductions; withholding on certain non-resident payments |
| ROC annual filing | Annual corporate return plus T2 corporate tax return |
The process
How your setup runs
- 01
Business structure review
Ontario or federal, ownership, directors and what it means for tax.
- 02
Canadian registration
Name search, articles and filings completed remotely.
- 03
CRA setup
Business Number, GST/HST, payroll and import/export where needed.
- 04
Accounting setup
Cloud software, chart of accounts and multi-currency handling.
- 05
Ongoing compliance
Bookkeeping, filings, reporting and a compliance calendar.
Packages
Canada setup packages
Prices in CAD, starting points confirmed in writing before any work begins. Banking approval is never guaranteed.
Canada Launch
One founder, one Canadian company
From CAD 1,495
- Structure consultation (federal vs Ontario)
- Company registration
- CRA Business Number setup
- GST/HST review
- Compliance calendar
Canada Launch Plus
Most chosenSelling into Canada from day one
From CAD 2,495
- Everything in Canada Launch
- GST/HST registration
- Accounting software setup
- Bookkeeping onboarding
- Import/export account setup where needed
- Registered-office coordination where available
Canada Global
Operating groups and multi-entity founders
From CAD 4,995
- Everything in Canada Launch Plus
- Ongoing accounting and management reporting
- Payroll setup where needed
- Tax orientation session
- Cross-border accounting coordination
Government fees are separate and shown before you pay.
Questions from founders in India
Can I run the Canadian company from India?
Yes, but where the company is managed affects tax residency and treaty treatment. We explain the implications and coordinate with your Indian advisor.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Canada?
Yes. The Canada-India tax treaty affects withholding on dividends, interest and royalties. We factor it into how you take money out of the Canadian company.
Do I need to convert INR capital?
Share capital can be nominal. Fund the company as needed for operations; outbound investment from India is subject to RBI rules, which your Indian advisor should confirm.
Can a non-resident own a Canadian company?
Yes. Non-residents can own shares in a Canadian corporation. Federal corporations generally require 25% Canadian-resident directors, while Ontario corporations have no director residency requirement, which is why many international founders incorporate in Ontario.
Does incorporating in Canada give me immigration status?
No. Registering a Canadian company does not grant residency, citizenship, a visa or work authorisation. Immigration matters must go through a licensed immigration professional.
Can you guarantee a Canadian bank account or payment processor?
No. Bank account and payment processor approval is decided by the institution based on its own requirements. We prepare your corporate documents and records so your application is as complete as possible.
Map my Canada setup
Share the basics and we map your setup path. We reply by email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer, within one working day.
We never ask for confidential documents on this form. Secure upload happens after onboarding.
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