Local context: South Africa
Start a business in Canada from South Africa
Johannesburg and Cape Town founders expanding into North America use Canadian corporations to contract locally and diversify currency exposure. We handle the Canadian side completely.
- Working with founders in
- Johannesburg and Cape Town
- 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 South Africa
If you run a (Pty) Ltd, the Canadian corporation will feel familiar. Differences worth knowing: no provisional tax in the South African sense, Canadian corporate instalments instead, and SARS-style VAT becomes GST/HST with different registration thresholds and filing frequencies.
The structure review comes first, then registration, the CRA accounts, and the bookkeeping and tax that keep the company compliant from a distance.
Typical South Africa-based scenarios
Who usually does this
- 01A Cape Town agency or software firm invoicing Canadian clientsServed
- 02A manufacturer setting up Canadian distributionServed
- 03A founder building a Canadian holding structure for expansionServed
Terminology
What things are called in Canada
Same concepts, different names. This is the translation you will need in your first CRA conversation.
| In South Africa | In Canada |
|---|---|
| (Pty) Ltd | Corporation (Ontario or federal) |
| CIPC registration | Articles of Incorporation |
| SARS VAT (15%) | GST/HST |
| Provisional tax | Corporate tax instalments |
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 South Africa
Is there a Canada-South Africa tax treaty?
Yes, and it affects withholding on dividends and other payments out of Canada. We plan distributions with the treaty in mind.
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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