Canadian Sole Proprietorship, US Travel?

Question

Can someone tell me the particulars of starting a sole proprietorship in canada when part of my client base will require me to travel to the US to do business?

I would be working with clients on an individual basis - not necessarily working with any other established businesses (although in time, who knows!)

Answer 1

It depends upon your citizenship status. Are you either a US or Canadian Citizen (or perm. resident)? If so, you can easily travel between the US and Canada as a business visitor without a work permit. However, as a business visitor, you are only permitted to perform certain things. You can not directly enter the job market of the country that you are not a citizen of. A lot of the regulations also have to do with what business you are in. There are instances where you may need to apply for a work permit.
If you are a professional with a degree, you have many more benefits under the NAFTA Program between Canada and the US.
You will need to check out the following government site;

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/you-asked/section20.html

To register your business in Canada you will need to visit the following sites;

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/dbc/DoingBusinessWithCanada-en.aspx

Good luck to you.