Registering a Business

The British Columbia government has partnered with federal and municipal governments to reduce red tape and make it easier to start a business in British Columbia.

If you are registering a business in British Columbia, you can complete multiple government applications at one time, either on the Internet or at kiosks throughout the province by visiting the OneStop Business Registry website.  Sole proprietorships, corporations, incorporated societies, partnerships, cooperatives and associations can use this service. 

Using OneStop you can:

• Register your proprietorship or partnership or incorporate your company with the British Columbia Corporate Registry.  NOTE:  This registration requires pre-approval of your business name.  A fee is required at the time of filing and is payable online using your Visa or Mastercard.
• Register as a vendor for the provincial sales tax and hotel room tax with British Columbia Consumer Taxation Branch.
• Register as an employer with Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia.
• Apply for personal optional protection coverage with Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia.
• Apply for a business number account for GST/HST, payroll deductions, corporate rate income tax and import/export with Canada Revenue Agency.
• Apply for one or more municipal licences with participating municipalities.  Check the OneStop Business Registry website.

Business registration services are available through the internet Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Pacific Standard time and 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM Pacific Standard time on Sunday.

Phone-in service is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Standard time through the Surrey Chamber of Commerce at 604-581-7130.

Companies can now incorporate online using Corporate Online.  If you are incorporating a company you will need to incorporate before you can complete other required registrations, using OneStop Business Registry.