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Business Guide for Newcomers to Canada

If you are a new Canadian or permanent resident in Canada, and are interested in starting your own business, this guide provides some of the basic requirements for starting a business in Ontario. You can also find resources and organizations that offer services and programs for newcomers to Canada. Starting your own business can be a rewarding experience, and understanding what is required can help you succeed.

Note: If you are not a new Canadian or permanent resident and are interested in business immigration, you can read Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s information on the Business Immigration Program.

If you plan to invest or do business in Canada but not immigrate to Canada, other rules will apply. You can find more information in our Foreign Investment Guide.

Before You Start
Getting Started
Regulations
Taxation
Hiring Employees
Importing and Exporting
Next Steps

Before You Start

Three of the most important questions to consider before starting a business as a newcomer to Canada are:

Are you legally allowed to own and operate a business in Canada?
Is your business activity regulated and does it require a licence or certification?
What is the status of your skills and qualifications in Ontario?

Your Legal Status in Canada

If you are uncertain of your legal status in Canada and have questions, you can contact Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) to find out if you are legally entitled to work in Canada. CIC is the only department that can officially inform you of your status.

Contact CIC:
1-888-242‑2100
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Working in Canada – An Interactive Tool

The Government of Canada’s Working in Canada website has an online tool and information to help you identify the name of your occupation in Canada. You can also get an online report that outlines the regulations, duties, skill requirements and wage rates for your occupation in Ontario.

If your occupation is regulated and you need a licence or certification to work in Ontario, contact the listed department or organization to discuss the requirements. Your foreign credentials may need to be evaluated before they will be recognized, and you may need training before you can work in Canada. Because these regulations can affect your business plan, make sure you know the requirements before you start.

Use online:
Working in Canada - An Interactive Tool

The following resources from the federal government and inter-governmental organizations may also help you assess your foreign credentials:

How to Get Your Credentials Recognized
Find out what steps you need to follow to get your credentials recognized.
An Essential Workbook for Newcomers
Use this workbook to keep track of the information you learn about working in Canada.
Foreign Qualification Evaluation and Recognition in Canada
Access resources to help you understand the process of evaluating and recognizing foreign qualifications in Canada.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition in Canada
Find out how to get credit for the education you have already received.

Working in Ontario – Interactive Search Tool

The Government of Ontario’s Ontario Immigration website provides a number of information resources on trades and professions in the province. Once you have created a Working in Canada report, you can use it to find additional certification and regulation information from the Working in Ontario search tool on the Ontario Immigration website.

Use online:
Working in Ontario

The Ontario Immigration website also offers information on:

Education and assessment programs
Career maps for professions and trades
Information on mentorships
Trade and profession specific language training

For more information you can visit the following Ontario Immigration links:

Work in Your Profession
Find information about your regulated profession or trade and the requirements for working in Ontario.
Map Your Career
Review descriptions of the registration process for several regulated professions and trades in Ontario.
Find a Mentor
Search for available mentoring or coaching programs designed to help you gain knowledge about your occupation and the Ontario workplace.
Specialized Language Training in Ontario
Explore language training programs that help you communicate effectively in your occupation.

Global Experience Ontario

If you are an internationally trained individual looking to work in your field, you can speak with Global Experience Ontario’s knowledgeable staff to learn more about the licensing and registration process in Ontario.

Contact Global Experience Ontario:
1-866-670-4094
Global Experience Ontario

HealthForceOntario

Find detailed information on the certification, licensing and registration process for health care providers or Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs). You can also access free services by registering on the Access Centre website.

Contact HealthForceOntario
1-800-596-4046
HealthForceOntario

In My Language

You can find general information for new immigrants to Ontario, as well as information on education and credentials. Information is available in several languages.

Search online:
In My Language - Welcome to Ontario

Getting Started

Before starting a business in Ontario, there are several issues to consider, such as regulations, financing, and taxation. You can start by writing a business plan that can be used to:

Set realistic business goals
Make informed decisions about running your business
Forecast your business earnings
Demonstrate your business plans and goals to bankers or other potential investors

Read our Business Plan Guide to find out more about business planning. The guide is available in over 10 languages.

Business Plan Guide

As part of the planning and start-up process, you will need to choose a business structure, business name and business location. The following multilingual documents will give you more information on each of these topics.

Once you have your plan in place, there may be licensing, registration and tax accounts that you will need to set up. Our business start-up guide will give you more information on the basic steps to follow when starting a business.

Read online:
Business Start-Up Guide

Choose your language below to read more “Business Basics” titles from the Canada Business Ontario multilingual collection:

Regulations

Your business may need licences and permits from the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.

In addition to the information you will find in this guide, you can use BizPaL—an online search tool—to find licences and regulations that may affect your business. You can also contact the Business Info Line to speak to someone about starting your business.

Use online:
Permits and Licences Wizard

Contact the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888

Legal Questions

If you have legal questions, contact a lawyer who deals with business regulations. The Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service may be able to assist you in finding a lawyer, based on your needs.

Contact the Law Society of Upper Canada:
1-800-268-8326
Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

Taxation

Depending on your location and the type of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

Read online:
Taxation Guide

If you sell goods and services in Ontario, you may need a business number to collect and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Most businesses that make less than $30,000 in any 12 month period are not required to charge HST; however, you can register voluntarily and claim input tax credits. Speak with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for more information.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
Canada Revenue Agency – Business

Hiring Employees

When you hire employees, there are regulations and standards that you need to follow. Most types of businesses will have to:

Open a payroll account
Register for and pay workplace safety and insurance premiums
Comply with Employment Standards
Open an Employer Health Tax account

To learn about the requirements for hiring employees, read our Employment Regulations Guide: Hiring.

Workplace Safety

Information on the basic requirements for safety in the workplace is available in several languages.

Contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB):
1-800-387-0750

WSIB - Fact Sheets for Employer (multilingual)
Get information about your role as an employer in creating a safe workplace for your employees.

WSIB - Fact Sheets for Prevention (multilingual)
Find out how you can help prevent accidents in the workplace.

WSIB - Occupational Disease Fact Sheets (multilingual)
Learn about the commons types of injuries and diseases that can occur in the workplace.

Employment Standards

Some of the information on Employment Standards and other regulations for hiring employees is available in several languages.

Contact the Ministry of Labour:
1-800-531-5551
Employment Standards
Health and Safety

Programs for Hiring Employees

You can find information on employment programs like wage subsidies and apprenticeship programs for businesses on the Employment Ontario website. Some of the information is available in several languages.

Contact Employment Ontario:
1-800-387-5514
Employment Ontario

Importing and Exporting

As part of your business activities you may decide to import or export your supplies or products. In order to bring goods and services into Canada or send them to other countries, you need to be aware of the regulations for importing and exporting, including:

Registering for an import-export account
Obtaining permits for exporting and importing
Paying Canadian duties and tariffs
Meeting legal requirements, regulations and standards
Complying with the laws of other counties that you are dealing with

These requirements will vary for different countries and products. When you choose to export or import, ensure that your business meets all the requirements.

Read online:
Importing Guide
Exporting to World Markets Guide

Next steps

For other information that relates to starting your business, you can read the following guides:

Additional links that may be of interest to newcomer entrepreneurs include:

You can also find books, magazines and other relevant print material at business service organizations in your community. To locate a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) community partner, contact us through the Business Info Line at 1-888-745-8888.

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

Disclaimers

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.