OCTIS vs Federal vs provincial incorporation in Canada
Government fees, how far the name reaches and what you still file in each province.
Last checked · 7 sources
Otty's short answer
Federal incorporation costs C$200 online and lets you use one name across Canada, but you must still register in each province where you do business. Ontario costs C$300 and BC costs C$350. Pick federal if you will sell in several provinces. Pick a provincial company if nearly all your work is in one province.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Federal (CBCA) | Ontario (OBCA) | British Columbia (BCBCA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government fee to incorporate | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | C$200 online | C$300 online | C$350 (Corporate Online) |
| Name request fee | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Not stated on fee page | Not stated on fee page | C$30 name request |
| Online processing time | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | 1 business day | Immediate | Name approval 7 to 14 days |
| Express option | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | C$100 extra, 4 hours | Not listed | C$100 priority name, 1 to 2 days |
| Name use | Hong Kong Companies Registry | One name across Canada | Ontario registry | BC registry |
| Resident director rule | At least 1 director (an individual), who can live anywhere | 25% resident Canadians, per page | Check the Act | Check the Act |
| Register in other provinces | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Required where you trade. Ontario registration is free | C$330 licence for a company from another province | Per other province |
| Annual return fee | Annual return to the Companies Registry, prepared by OCTIS | C$12 online | C$0 online | Not published on page |
| Registrar | Hong Kong Companies Registry | Corporations Canada | Ontario Business Registry | BC Registries |
| Best fit | Sellers in several countries, run from anywhere | Multi-province sellers | Ontario-based firms | BC-based firms |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell in several countries and want one Hong Kong company run from anywhere, with filing handled for you.
Federal (CBCA)
Choose federal if you sell in several provinces, want one name everywhere and the lowest government fee.
Ontario (OBCA)
Choose Ontario if your team, clients and bank are in Ontario and you want a free annual return and instant filing.
British Columbia (BCBCA)
Choose British Columbia if you operate from BC and plan to stay there. Budget C$350 plus the C$30 name request.
What the table does not show
The cheaper filing is not always the cheaper company
Federal incorporation is C$200 online, against C$300 in Ontario and C$350 in BC. But Corporations Canada says a federal company must register in each province where it does business. Registering a federal company in Ontario is free, per Corporations Canada. Nova Scotia charges C$274.10 and Newfoundland and Labrador C$560. A company from another province pays C$330 for an Ontario extra-provincial licence. A federal company that works in several provinces can end up paying more than C$200 in total.
Directors and foreign owners
Corporations Canada's directors page says at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians, and at least one if the board has fewer than four. Some law firm blogs say this has changed, so confirm the current rule with Corporations Canada before you file. We could not confirm the Ontario or BC rules from the registry pages we read. Ask the registry or a lawyer if all your directors live abroad.
What the filing does not cover
A certificate of incorporation is the start. You still need a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and GST/HST registration once taxable sales pass C$30,000 over four quarters. You also need bylaws, a share register and a bank account. Municipal business licences are separate from provincial incorporation. Online services such as Ownr add their own fee on top of the government fee.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not incorporate companies in Canada. If you run a Malaysian or Hong Kong company that is opening a Canadian subsidiary, OCTIS keeps your home company's books and tax filing in order, and can reconcile the subsidiary's statements into your group accounts. If your Canadian accounting bill is too high, ask for 10 to 30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to incorporate federally in Canada?
C$200 online through Corporations Canada, with about one business day of processing. Express service in 4 hours adds C$100. Annual returns are C$12 online. A name search report and any provincial registration cost extra.
Is federal incorporation better than provincial?
Neither is better by default. Federal gives one name across Canada and a lower fee, but needs registration in each province you trade in. Provincial suits a business that stays in one province.
How much does it cost to incorporate in Ontario?
C$300 in government fees for an OBCA company filed online, with immediate processing, according to the Ontario government cost page. The annual return is free online. Service providers may charge their own fee.
How much does it cost to incorporate in British Columbia?
C$350 for most companies through Corporate Online, plus a C$30 name request. Priority name approval costs C$100. Unlimited liability companies cost C$1,000.
Can a foreigner own a Canadian corporation?
Ownership is not the issue on the pages we read. Director residency is. The federal page says 25% of directors must be resident Canadians. Confirm the current federal, Ontario and BC rules before you appoint directors who live abroad.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.
- Corporations Canada, services, fees and processing times
- Corporations Canada, directors and officers
- Corporations Canada, benefits of incorporating
- Corporations Canada, provincial registration of federal corporations
- Ontario, cost and time to register a corporation
- BC government, incorporated companies
- CRA, GST/HST small supplier rule (RC4022)