Registering a business in Ontario takes between 15 minutes and 2 weeks, depending on what structure you pick. A sole proprietorship is almost instant. A corporation takes a few business days. Here is the exact timeline in 2026.
How long does each structure take?
- Sole proprietorship (online): 15-30 minutes, approval same day
- General partnership (online): 15-30 minutes, approval same day
- Ontario corporation (online): 1-5 business days
- Federal corporation (Corporations Canada): 1-3 business days
- Paper filings (any structure): up to 2 weeks
What slows registration down?
The most common delay is the NUANS name search, which corporations require before filing. NUANS reports are usually delivered within 1-24 hours, but choosing a name that conflicts with existing registrations forces you back to the drawing board. Sole proprietors can skip NUANS entirely.
How long does the CRA side take?
A CRA Business Number is usually issued within minutes online. HST, payroll, and import accounts are added within 1-2 business days. If you registered your Ontario business through ONe-key, the BN is often generated automatically during registration.
How fast can I realistically be operating?
A sole proprietor can finish everything — registration, BN, HST, bank account, invoicing — in under a week. A corporation takes closer to two weeks end-to-end. Tools like Threecus let you start quoting and taking inquiries immediately so registration and client intake happen in parallel.
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