What is the indicative cost?

From US$ 6,500 · program development. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows a 30-minute scoping call.

Do I need to be physically present in Canada?

In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.

Do you handle the follow-on — banking, tax, compliance?

Yes. Every project is built so the same desk that runs this service takes on ongoing banking, monthly bookkeeping, annual filings and compliance. No hand-off to another provider.

What if my situation isn't standard?

Non-standard situations — complex ownership chains, regulated activity, exits from high-tax jurisdictions, existing structures — are the norm for us, not the exception. We scope in 30 minutes before issuing a quote.

Who actually does the work — partners or account managers?

Every project is led by a named partner. Senior staff handle the filings. Administrative tasks (delivery, courier, calendar) sit with junior staff. The partner remains the single point of contact across all eight practices.

FATCA / CRS in Canada | INNOVA Consulting Group

▸ About this service

What is fatca / crs in Canada?

FATCA / CRS is one of 6 parts of our “Compliance & AML” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our Canada desk.

What it is in Canada: reporting and classification. FINTRAC oversight for MSB operators. Immigration for founders runs through Express Entry or the Start-up Visa: we know which route is realistic for a given profile.

▸ In detail

How we handle fatca / crs

The “FATCA / CRS” project in Canada is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.

Regulatory program drafting, MLRO services, and examination preparation across FINTRAC, FCA, MAS, FIU, and CBUAE frameworks.

The same desk that runs fatca / crs handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model

▸ Jurisdiction

Why Canada

Canada is our primary launchpad for MSB licensing and fintech projects. We know where you can genuinely open a corporate account, how to clear FINTRAC on the first attempt, and how to avoid the common pitfalls in provincial corporate law. A G7 country with a developed banking system, a broad network of tax treaties, and a bilingual operating environment.

▸ 01 · Advantage

A reliable regulatory environment

FINTRAC oversight for MSB operators. Immigration for founders runs through Express Entry or the Start-up Visa: we know which route is realistic for a given profile.

▸ 02 · Advantage

Banking ecosystem

Tier-1 banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) are realistic with the right KYC packaging. MSB-grade banking exists, but it requires a properly built compliance profile — and we build it.

▸ 03 · Advantage

Corporate tax 26.5% federal + provincial blended (Ontario)

The real tax position depends on the structure — we model it before registration.

▸ 04 · Advantage

INNOVA desk on the ground

Toronto · since 2012

▸ Why us

Why INNOVA

Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.

01

One partner — the whole cycle

Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.

02

14 years of practice

Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.

03

Regulator-grade documentation

Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.

04

Multi-jurisdiction within the group

Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.

▸ Process

How the work is structured

A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.

01

Risk assessment

Risk assessment across products, clients and geography

▸ Result: AML/CFT risk assessment

5 daysStep 1 of 4

02

Program development

Manuals, training and control mechanisms

▸ Result: Policies and procedures

2–3 weeksStep 2 of 4

03

Regulator submission

Submission of the documentation to the regulator

▸ Result: MLRO / compliance officer

1 weekStep 3 of 4

04

Monitoring

Reviews, audits and keeping the program current

▸ Result: KYC customer due-diligence templates

ongoingStep 4 of 4

▸ Information exchange

What we need from you · what you get from us

What we need from you to begin, and what you receive on completion.

▸ From you

What we need

→

Activity / sector descriptionstructured
Customer-base profiledocumented
Geographic exposuremapped
Existing controls (if any)stated

▸ From us

What you receive

↓

AML/CFT risk assessmentregulator-ready
Compliance manual + proceduresoperational
MLRO appointednamed officer
Training programme (annual)delivered
Customer DD templatesready to use
Sanctions/PEP screening liveautomated

▸ Engagement formats

Four ways to work together

We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with a free call, then we pick the right format.

M/01

Intro call

A 30-minute online consultation. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline. Free.

30 min · freeBook →

M/02

Written analysis

A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.

5 b.d. · on requestRequest →

M/03

Operating roadmap

For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.

2–4 wks · on requestRequest →

M/04

Direct execution

You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.

2–8 wks · on requestStart →

▸ About cost We don't work at dumping rates and we don't publish a fixed price list — every project is scoped individually. The exact price is quoted after the intro call, usually within 24 hours.

▸ Questionnaire

Fill in the questionnaire

Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.

Fill in the questionnaire

4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.

▸ Online · ~5 min

→

▸ INNOVA portal · what you get

Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.

▸ Client review

From a client

A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.

We needed a Canadian MSB licence and a bank account to go with it — most providers can't handle the second part. INNOVA closed both in a single quarter, and our auditors accepted the compliance programme at first glance.

CA

COO, payments company (MSB)

Toronto, Canada · name under NDA

▸ Sector

Payments / MSB

▸ Project

TOR · 26 mo · ongoing

▸ Status

Anonymised · ongoing

▸ FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.

Most “FATCA / CRS” projects in Canada run from 2 to 8 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.