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 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's information on how to immigrate to Canada.
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.
Table of contents
Before you start
Getting started
Regulations
Taxation
Hiring employees
Importing and exporting
Other resources
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 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to find out if you are legally entitled to work in Canada. IRCC is the only department that can officially inform you of your status.
Contact IRCC:
1-888-242‑2100
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Job Bank – An interactive tool
The Government of Canada’s 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:
Job Bank
The following resources from the federal government and inter-governmental organizations may also help you assess your foreign credentials:
- Credential assessment process
Find out what steps you need to follow to get your credentials recognized.
- Learn about qualifications recognition
Access resources to help you understand the process of evaluating and recognizing foreign qualifications in Canada.
- Learn about recognition of your academic credentials
Find out how to get credit for the education you receive abroad.
Working in Ontario
The Government of Ontario provides a number of information resources on trades and professions in the province.
For more information, you can visit the following links:
- Work in your profession or trade
Find information about your regulated profession or trade and the requirements for working in Ontario.
- Resources related to your profession, trade or sector
Review descriptions of several regulated professions and trades in Ontario.
- Specialized language training in Ontario
Explore language training programs that help you communicate effectively in your occupation.
- Ontario Bridge Training
As an internationally trained newcomer with a post-secondary degree and international work experience, you can access help to obtain the licence or certificate required for your profession or trade in Ontario.
Global Experience Ontario
If you are an internationally-trained individual looking to work in your field (but not in a regulated health profession - see HealthForceOntario below), 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. 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 also find general information in several languages for people who are new to Ontario.
Search online:
Information in more than 30 languages
ARABIC | CHINESE(SIMPLIFIED) | GUJARATI | TAMIL | URDU | PUNJABI | RUSSIAN | SPANISH | TAGALOG
Getting started
Read our Business Plan Guide to find out more about business planning. The guide is available in over 10 languages.
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:
- Business structure: Which one is right for you?
- Naming your business
- Choosing and setting up a location
Regulations
Taxation
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 requirements for safety in the workplace is available from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and from Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Health & Safety Contact Centre.
Contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB):
1-800-387-0750
Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Health & Safety Contact Centre:
1-877-202-0008
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development – Workplace health and safety
Find out how you can help prevent accidents 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, Training and Skills Development:
1-800-531-5551
Employment standards
Health and safety
Employment standards poster
Importing and exporting
As part of your business activities, you may decide to import or export your products or services. 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
Other resources
Additional links that may be of interest to newcomer entrepreneurs include: