Seychelles Licenses

Licenced And Regulated In Seychelles

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Seychelles Company
Seychelles Foundation
Seychelles Trust

  • Seychelles Company

    You have worked out that you need a Seychelles company, but where to start ?

    A Remarkable Company Offer

    Grand Total Value With Courier – USD 5530 (but this is not what you pay!!)

    Our Typical Price Range

    Depending On Your Specific Requirements And Our Risk Assessment

    USD 700 To USD 3050

    So you have the Opportunity to get an even lower Price!

    Explanation Of

    Discounts and Surcharges

    Contact Us For More Details And Explanations

    Simple Client And/Or Lower Risk Client Offer

    Discount For Clients With Simple Structure And Activity And/Or With Lower Risk Characteristics (Simple Ownership And Control Arrangements, Simple Business Activity Or Purpose, Few Transactions Or Assets, Clear Source Of Funds And Wealth, No Links To Very High Risk Territories And Sanctioned Countries, All Connected Persons Have No Adverse Media, No Persons Under Sanctions Or Connected To Sanctioned Countries And No Politically Exposed Persons, All Requested Order Forms Provided, Clarifications And Verification Documents Provided Without Delay) USD 800 Less USD 100.

    Discount = Lower Risk Client Offer USD 700

    More Complex Client And/Or Higher Risk Client Price

    Additional Charge For Clients With More Complicated Ownership Structure Or Management, More Complicated Activities And/Or With Higher Risk Characteristics Subjected To Enhanced Due Diligence (Tiers Of Ownership With Nominees Or Holding Entities, More Complicated Business Activity Or Purpose, Connections To High Risk Territories, Some Non-Standard Or Special Verification Documents, Some Adverse Media But No Wrongdoing) USD 800 Plus USD 250.

    Surcharge = Higher Risk Client Price USD 1050

    Very Complex Client And/Or High Risk Client Price

    Surcharge For Very Complex Or Very Active Clients Or Clients With Technically Complex Or Novel Activities And Subjected To Extended Due Diligence (Complex Ownership And Control Arrangements E.g. Involving Trusts Especially Multiple Trusts And/Or Partly Listed Ownership, Crypto-Related Or Part Of A Virtual Assets Service Provider Business Or Group [But Not Crypto Exchanges], Carrying Out Or Closely Connected To Licensed Or Licensable Activities E.g. Online Gaming, Micro-Insurance, Micro-Finance) USD 800 Plus USD 2250+

    Surcharge = Crypto Client Price USD 3050+

    Special Arrangements And Offers Are Available To Professionals With A Good Track Record Or Who Are Regulated – See Our Affiliate Program Offers (For Trust Companies, Attorneys, Accountants, Estate Planners, Banks, Introducers, Marketers, Resellers, Registered Agents)

  • Seychelles Foundations

    You have worked out that you need a Seychelles Foundation, but where to start ?

    A Remarkable Foundation Offer

    Grand Total Value With Courier – USD 4800 (but this is not what you pay!!)

    Our Typical Price Range

    Depending On Your Specific Requirements And Our Risk Assessment

    USD 950 To USD 4195

    So you have the Opportunity to get an even lower Price!

    Explanation Of

    Discounts and Surcharges

    Contact Us For More Details And Explanations

    Simple Client And/Or Lower Risk Client Offer

    Clients With Simple Structure And Activity And/Or Lower Risk Characteristics (Simple Business Activity Or Purpose, Few Transactions Or Assets, Clear Source Of Funds And Wealth, No Links To Very High Risk Territories And Sanctioned Countries, All Connected Persons Have No Adverse Media, No Persons Under Sanctions Or Connected To Sanctioned Countries And No Politically Exposed Persons, All Requested Order Forms Provided, Clarifications And Verification Documents Provided Without Delay) USD 1095 Less USD 145.

    Discount = Lower Risk Client Offer USD 950

    More Complex Client And/Or Higher Risk Client Price

    Additional Charges For Clients With More Complicated Structure Or Activities And/Or Higher Risk Characteristics Subjected To Enhanced Due Diligence (With Nominees Or Special Control Arrangements, With Many Connected Parties, Complex Business Activity Or Higher Risk Activities, Connections To High Risk Territories, Some Non-Standard Or Unfamiliar Verification Documents, Some Adverse Media But No Wrongdoing) USD 1095 Plus USD 400.

    Surcharge = Higher Risk Client Price USD 1495

    Very Complex Client And/Or High Risk Client Price

    Surcharge For Very Complex Clients And/Or With High Risk Characteristics Subjected To Extended Due Diligence (With Complex Trusts Or Other Complex Ownership Arrangements, With Unusual, Technically Complex And/Or Novel Activity Or Purpose, Crypto-Based Or Part Of A Virtual Assets Service Provider Business Or Group [But Not Crypto Exchanges], Complicated Or Special Management And Control Arrangements) USD 1095 Plus USD 3100+

    Surcharge = Crypto Client Price USD 4195+

    Special Arrangements And Offers Are Available To Professionals With A Good Track Record Or Who Are Regulated – See Our Affiliate Program Offers (Trust Companies, Attorneys, Accountants, Estate Planners, Banks, Introducers, Marketers, Resellers, Agents)

  • Seychelles Trusts

    You have worked out that you need a Seychelles Trust, but where to start ?

    A Remarkable Trust Offer

    Grand Total Value With Courier To Setup, Including 1st Year Resident Trustee Fee – USD 6,975 (but this is not what you pay!!)

    Our Typical Price Range

    Depending On Your Specific Requirements And Our Risk Assessment

    USD 1400 To USD 8800

    So you have the Opportunity to get an even lower Price!

    Explanation Of

    Annual Fee Additions And Reductions

    Base Annual Fee Is USD 2000 – Contact Us For More Details And Explanations

    Annual Resident Trustee Fee Reductions

    Reductions Are Applicable If An Investee Company Is Still Dormant Or Currently Totally Inactive

    Reductions Are Applicable If An Investee Company Is A Seychelles IBC 

           E.g. A Trust Owns Only 1 Dormant Seychelles IBC: USD 2000 – USD 300 – USD 300 = USD 1400 Only!

    Annual Resident Trustee Fee Additions

    Additional Fees May Be Charged For Each Additional Bank Account

    Additional Fees May Be Charged For Each Additional Active Investee Company

    E.g. A Trust Owns 2 Active Non-Seychelles Companies: USD 2000 + USD 1200 =USD 3,200

    Additions For Very Active Trust Or Higher Risk Factors

    We may charge an amount in addition to the base USD 2000 annual trustee fee for trusts are that are very active or which have some higher risk factors e.g. have many inter-investee company loans and/or loans to and from the trust, and many trust transactions each month. Or Investments are connected to high risk countries.

    Click on Get A Quote And Provide As Much Information As Possible For Us To Calculate The Additional Amount

    From Year 2 Onwards We Will Only Charge The Annual Fee

    Special Arrangements And Offers Are Available To Professionals With A Good Track Record Or Who Are Regulated – See Our Affiliate Program Offers (For Trust Companies, Attorneys, Accountants, Estate Planners, Banks, Introducers, Marketers, Resellers, Registered Agents)

Choose A.C.T. for a fast, highly reliable and convivially responsive service:
An Experienced And Skilled Team Working For You

Number of Seychelles International Business Company registrations processed to date:

9000

Number of Seychelles Trust registrations processed to date:

70

Number of Seychelles Foundation registrations processed to date:

700

Number of Seychelles International Business Company annual renewals processed since 2002:

39000

Number of Document Notarizations Processed since 2002:

4500

Number of Certificates of Good Standing processed:

4000
What we don’t do (when we are not a good fit for you):
What you may miss out on if you don’t choose A.C.T:
Other Important Service Offers :
For a more detailed list of our Services and offers see our Services Page and Contact Us for a complete Price List
Gain Technical Knowledge Quickly

Authority

Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) – formerly Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA). The FSA operates the Seychelles International Business Company registry, the Trust registry and the Foundation registry.

Non-English names

A Seychelles legal entity can be registered with a non English name provided that a certified translation of the name is submitted together with the name request to the registry.

Language

English and French names and registration documents are allowed.

Taxation

Seychelles-sourced income is taxable. In many cases foreign-sourced income will be exempted. Multi-National Group companies are subject to substance rules and must have sufficient substance in Seychelles to qualify for foreign-sourced income exemptions.

Double Taxation Agreement

Seychelles companies may have access to double taxation treaty benefits, depending on the treaty and tax status of the Seychelles company.

Exemptions

Seychelles IBCs, Seychelles Foundations and Seychelles Trusts may qualify for certain exemptions.

Filling of Accounts

A International Business Company or a Foundation is required to lodge its accounting records with its Registered Agent in Seychelles.

All companies and Foundations must lodge their transactional accounting documents (aka substantiating documents or supporting documents) e.g. bank statements, invoices, receipts, expense vouchers, ledgers, and contract documents and agreements.

Except for small pure holding companies, companies are also required to prepare a simple financial summary for which we can provide an example.

Ready made companies

Ready-made companies with great names are available (in limited quantities) for the times when the registry is not operating, such as during lockdowns and public holidays.

Meetings

Not required to be in Seychelles. May be conducted telephonically or online e.g. via Zoom or Teams. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is optional but recommended for good governance.

Licensed Corporate Or Trust Service Provider

Required to be in Seychelles for Seychelles IBCs, Seychelles Trusts and Seychelles Foundations.

Exchange controls

No

Legal proceedings

Any civil proceedings in respect of a Seychelles International Business Company, Seychelles Foundation or Seychelles Trust may be heard by a Judge in Chambers.

Bearer shares

Not allowed since the 16th December 2013. They are now prohibited in most countries as well.

Types of legal entities

Domestic Company (DBC), International Business Company (IBC), Protected Cell Company (PCC), Foundation, Trust, Limited Partnership (LP)

Main laws

International Business Companies Act, 2016

Companies Act, 1972

Trust Act, 2021

Foundation Act, 2009

Securities Act, 2007

Registration time

IBC: 1 to 2 days; Domestic Companies 5 to 7 working days, Trust: 1 to 2 days; Foundation: 1 to 2 days. For all, after client onboarding has been completed, and after all required information and documents have been received.

Capital requirements

There is no minimum capital requirement but in practice USD 1 on the equivalent in other currencies is used. The share capital may be expressed in any currency. There is no obligation to pay up all share capital immediately.

Registered office

All Seychelles registered legal entities are required to have a Registered Office in Seychelles. We provide the registered office in Seychelles.

Shareholders

An IBC should have at least one shareholder, and the particulars are filed with the registered agent in Seychelles. A shareholder of an IBC may be a corporate entity or an individual of any nationality.

A Seychelles domestic company must have a minimum of 2 shareholders, who may be corporate entities, or individuals of any nationality.

Foreign ownership and management

Seychelles companies, Seychelles Trusts and Seychelles Foundations may be owned or managed 100% by non-residents and foreign nationals or foreign legal entities.

Company directors

An Seychelles IBC can have just 1 director. A director may be a body corporate or an individual of any nationality. An individual must be at least 18 years old. Particulars of directors must be filed with the registrar but the register is not open to the public.

A Seychelles domestic company requires a minimum of 2 directors.  

Professional director or Councillor and Nominee shareholder are allowed

Yes, and they can be Seychelles residents or foreigner individuals or foreign legal entities.

Secretary

For Seychelles IBCs, Seychelles Foundations and Seychelles Trusts, it is not a legal requirement to appoint a company secretary. It is optional for such legal entities. However Seychelles domestic companies must appoint a resident company secretary.

Seal

Not required. It is optional for Seychelles Companies, Seychelles Foundations, and Seychelles Trusts (and all Seychelles-registered legal entities).

Confidentiality

Seychelles supports privacy.

FAQS
  • Do you accept to serve anyone from any part of the world?

    We do not accept clients who are resident or domiciled in countries found on the FATF Call For Action List or who are in the FATF Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring list. We also do not accept IBCs that will somehow be linked to those countries e.g. will own assets in those countries or do business with persons in those countries. The current list can be accessed from https://www.fatf-gafi.org

    Additionally we cannot assist clients who are directly involved in the pharmaceutical business such as operating a chemical factory. We cannot assist anyone involved in the adult entertainment business (pornography, prostitution or even “online dating”) - these are illegal in Seychelles. We cannot assist clients who are involved in the arms business (development, manufacturing and distribution of weapons, ammunition and other equipment used by the military and defence forces). We will also refuse businesses that will raise investment funds from the general public or provide financial services to the public without having licences where they will operate.

    We may also refuse to act for politicians and celebrities.

  • We have a company in another country (not Seychelles). Can we transfer it to you?

    Yes you can, provided that the laws of the existing country allow you to transfer the company to Seychelles. The process is called continuation or re-domiciliation.

    We will carry out due diligence checks on the existing company and its directors, shareholders, other officers and beneficial owners. You will also have to provide proof that the company is in good standing with its current registry – e.g. a certificate of good standing or the equivalent, as well as all existing company documents.

  • Can we transfer an IBC from you to another agent?

    You can. The IBC Act specifies a procedure for change of agent. We do not prevent clients from leaving but will ask that unpaid fees are settled first and that we are refunded for costs we will incur from the transfer process. We do not charge additional exit fees. We will attempt to complete our records before closing our file for the IBC, focusing only on important requirements the IBC had undertaken to meet.

  • We have an IBC with another agent. Can we change it over to you?

    You can. A few agents may resist and make the process more complicated, but most agents are cooperative and will allow for a quick and painless transfer.

  • Can we change the name of an IBC?

    You can. We will need a resolution signed by the directors. To get started, send us the new name to approve and we will prepare all the required documents.

  • How quickly can we change the directors of an IBC?

    It depends on how quickly we can receive due diligence documentation on the new directors for verification. The updated register will have to be filed with the Registry and the whole process can take between 1 to a few days. In some circumstances, we may have to consult the beneficial owners particularly when there are professional directors and nominee shareholders, which can increase processing time.

  • We don't need our IBC anymore? What are our options?

    You could simply stop paying the annual fees. Then we will not pay the annual licence fee to government and eventually, usually within some months, the IBC will be struck off the register. One year after strike, off it will be deemed to have been dissolved. We refer to this as “letting the IBC lapse into dissolution”.

    You could also voluntarily wind up (dissolve) the IBC. This is not a straightforward process, but we can guide your through it. This the most robust close down option but also the costliest one.

    Another option is to notify the registry that the IBC has ceased to trade or operate and will not resume any activity, which may prompt the Registrar to strike off the IBC. Yet another option is for us to resign as registered agent, and the IBC would be struck off within 3 months for not having a registered agent.

  • If an IBC is struck off, can we easily restore it?

    If the IBC is struck off because it did not pay its annual fees there is a clear process to restore it. You have to pay all the outstanding annual fees so that we may pay the government annual licence fees. There will also be an additional restoration fee charged by the Registry. You will also have to bring the IBC into full compliance with the prevailing laws, including settlement of any unpaid compliance penalties. The FSA will inspect the file to ensure compliance before restoring the company to the register.

  • What will happen if annual renewal fees are not paid?

    If our annual renewal fees are not paid we will not be able to pay the annual government fees. If the annual government fees are not paid the IBC will not remain in good standing and will eventually be struck off the register. One year after strike off it will be deemed to have been dissolved. Once struck off the assets held by the IBC may be deemed to be vested in the state i.e. assets of Seychelles. A more immediate consequence is that you would not able to get a certificate of good standing to give to your bankers and other business partners.

    Struck off IBCs can be restored, and on restoration an IBC is deemed to never have been struck off, so apart from restoration fees and penalties there are no lasting implications if you inadvertently let an IBC be struck off. You can recover from the error but the FSA will inspect the file beforehand, to ensure compliance with the law.

  • When are your annual fees due? Will you send us a reminder?

    For a Seychelles IBC the annual fees are due on the anniversary of its incorporation. If an IBC was incorporated on the 4th January 2023 the annual fees would be due each year on the 4th of January. We would need to pay the annual government fees by the 4th of January each year to avoid any late payment penalties.

    If not paid on time, the IBC would incur penalties of 10% on the 5th January, to a 50% penalty 90 days later.

    To help you to renew on time and to avoid penalties we send a first reminder by way of a renewal proforma invoice between 60 and 90 days before the due date. We then send renewal reminders on a monthly basis for the IBC thereafter so that you do not have to keep track – you can just act on our reminders.

  • What are your annual renewal fees?

    Please contact us by email, WhatsApp or SMS, or call us for our price list. Our annual fees are competitive and include government charges of USD 150.50 per annum, and our registered agent and registered office fees.

  • Can we get a certificate of good standing?

    Yes we can obtain a certificate of good standing from the Registry if your IBC has paid all its annual fees and its name is still on the register, i.e. it has not been struck off, and if it does not have any unpaid penalties for non-compliance. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks, other parties in business transactions or government bodies to confirm that a company still exists and has legal capacity to act.

  • What are your return and refund policies?

    Once an order has been fulfilled, we generally we do not accept returns and we do not give refunds, except for our 180 day satisfaction guarantee. In case of errors in documents we produced or procured, or loss of documents in shipment, we would offer to provide a replacement at our cost. We would of course return advanced payments if an order is cancelled before we have started any work.

  • We have never used the IBC. Can we return the documents and get a refund?

    If after 180 days you cannot use your very first IBC for the planned purposes, you may approach us and we will do our best to help you get the results you want, or we may give you a part refund and then resign as registered agent, following which the IBC would be struck off by the Registrar. This is for newly onboarded clients only, who have not previously obtained a Seychelles IBC.

    Another solution is for you to sell the IBC to someone you know. We can assist with the transfer of ownership and management (transfer shares and the directorships) to the new owners.

  • Do we have to pay before you will release documents or process orders?

    We will process most orders before receiving payment so as not to cause delays, but we will wait for payment before despatching documents by email or post or courier. We do not extend credit, but we can allow established clients to pay after document despatch. We also have special arrangements for active professional intermediaries.

  • How can we pay? What methods of payment do you accept?

    We are flexible but we prefer payment via bank wire transfer (SWIFT, IBAN, online payments) and most of our clients pay by this method. We can receive payments in United States dollars, Euros, British Pounds, Singapore dollars, and Seychelles Rupees. Other currencies are also allowed but they will be converted to one of the above currencies by our banks.

    We can also accept credit card payments from VISA and Mastercard holders. You may also send money straight to one of our bank accounts via international money order services like MoneyGram or Western Union but we only recommend this if you absolutely cannot pay by bank transfer or credit card because bank charges are very high.

    If you are in Seychelles we may accept, and bank small amounts of cash denominated in major international currencies or in Seychelles Rupees (value less than USD 2000). Bank notes must be of very good quality so as to be acceptable to Seychelles banks.

  • Can you apostille our documents?

    Yes we can because Seychelles is a party to the Hague Convention of 1961. Original documents bearing the signature and/or seal of a public official (such as that of the Registrar on a certificate of incorporation) can be apostilled without prior certifications or authentications. Other documents and all copies require notarization or other certification or authentication before they can be apostilled. In Seychelles apostilles are affixed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and the process is usually very quick and not expensive.

  • Do we need to apostille the documents?

    You will in some circumstances but not all. Some banks, government bodies and private individuals or businesses in transactions overseas (not in Seychelles) may ask for apostilled documents.

    An apostille is an internationally recognized form of authentication. It is an international certification comparable to a notarisation in domestic law. The sole function of the apostille is to identity any stamp or seal affixed to an official document, to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document, and the capacity in which the person signing the document acted.

    Under the Hague Convention, participating countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the apostille. The apostille guarantees that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country.

  • We will have professional directors and nominee shareholders. What documents will help us prove ultimate beneficial ownership?

    The persons registered as directors and shareholders (the persons appearing on the registers) may not in fact be the persons who ultimately control an IBC and who benefit from the successes of the IBC. They may be professional directors and nominee shareholders. Directors (and Professional directors) can be removed by shareholders who are controlled by ultimate beneficial owners.

    Normally when professional directors and nominee shareholders are appointed, agreements called directorship service agreements and nominee shareholder agreements are signed by these persons and the ultimate beneficial owners. Because of these agreements the professional directors and nominee shareholders will not be able to appoint new directors or sell shares without the prior approval of the ultimate beneficial owners, and we would not process the changes without the written consent of the ultimate beneficial owners.

    The Beneficial Ownership Act 2020 also requires that beneficial owners sign a declaration, in prescribed form, to confirm that they are the beneficial owner, and based on this, their names are entered into a Beneficial Owners register. The contents of the register are uploaded into a centralized government database (not public). The declarations and register can also be used as proof.

  • We want professional directors and nominee shareholders. Will we automatically retain signatory rights?

    No, you will have be given signatory rights e.g. be appointed as a bank account signatory, or as attorney under a power of attorney, or as the company secretary etc.

  • We want professional directors and nominee shareholders. What documents can we have to protect us from them?

    For nominee shareholdings we may provide a nominee shareholder agreement which includes the undertakings found in a declaration of trust, where the nominee shareholder declares that the shares and the benefits and rights attached to them actually belong to you, and that the nominee will not do anything without your written instructions. As the registered agent we will respect and follow such an agreement or a declaration of trust. The terms of business that you have with us also serves to protect your interests in your relationship with us.

    For professional directorship appointments (also commonly called “nominee” directorships) we provide a director service agreement which includes similar undertakings as those in declaration of trust or in nominee shareholder agreement.

  • We want a nominee shareholder. Can we have a declaration of trust?

    Yes you can. We have some templates which you can amend to suit your needs. The declaration of trust can then be signed by the nominee shareholder to confirm that the beneficial owner is the real owner of the shares.

    The declaration also states that the nominee shareholder cannot transfer or dispose of the shares unless the beneficial owner provides written instructions. It also makes it clear that all benefits and rights belong to the beneficial owner.

  • What can we expect from a nominee shareholder?

    A shareholder is someone who is listed as the owner of shares in the company’s share register. The holders of the shares, i.e. the legal owners of the shares, are also expected to be the beneficial owners of the shares i.e. the people who receive dividends and other benefits from the shares, and who ultimately control the company based on their rights to appoint or remove directors, or approve changes to the company’s constitutional documents.

    However, it is possible to separate legal ownership from beneficial ownership so that the official holder of the shares do not actually benefit from the shares. Someone else called the “beneficial owner” ultimately receives the dividends and has control through the nominee shareholder.

    The nominee shareholder is appointed by the beneficial owner and is required by prior agreement to act in accordance with the beneficial owners instructions and wishes. A written agreement is usually signed by both parties to protect the beneficial owner, to ensure that the nominee follows the beneficial owner’s instructions at all times.

    Effectively the nominee shareholder works for the beneficial owner and performs the shareholder duties and exercises the shareholder rights for the beneficial owner. A nominee shareholder can save the beneficial owner some time from such activities, and also serves to protect the beneficial owner’s privacy.

  • Can you provide a nominee shareholder?

    Yes we can. We have short listed approved individuals who may provide this service. We can also provide a corporate nominee shareholder. A Seychelles nominee shareholder will sign an agreement to act on your instructions only and to not benefit from the shares of your company.

    You can also appoint your own overseas nominee, perhaps your lawyer, accountant or other professional intermediary, or a good friend or trusted family member.

  • Do the shareholders need to pay up a certain amount of share capital within a certain time frame?

    No. There is no minimum paid up share capital requirement for a Seychelles IBC. There is also no set time for them to pay up shares they have subscribed. These requirements can be determined by the company itself because the law is silent on the matter. As an IBC is a limited liability company, shareholders are liable for the unpaid portion of their shares in the event of winding up (liquidation).

  • Are bearer shares allowed?

    No, bearer shares were abolished in Seychelles in 2013.

  • What kinds of shares are allowed?

    Shares can only be issued in registered form. Bearer shares are not allowed. The share register must record all particulars of a shareholder (the name, the address, amounts transferred to and from the shareholder, and the balance held). We can prepare and maintain it for you.

    Shares can be issued as shares with a par value or shares without a par value. With par value shares, shares cannot be issued for less than par value. With no par value shares, the value is at the discretion of the directors.

    Shares are normally issued as ordinary shares where each share has one vote and receives dividends. Other classes of shares can also be issued with different rights. A company can issue multiple class shares i.e. A shares, B shares, C shares etc each with different numbers of votes per share and other rights. Dual share class structures like Google or Berkshire Hathaway that concentrates control are possible.

    The Seychelles IBC can also issue shares limited by guarantee so that the shareholder does not immediately have to pay up for shares.

  • The share capital is denominated in what currency?

    The share capital of a Seychelles IBC may be denominated in any currency.

    The most popular currency for IBC share capital is the United States Dollar (US Dollar), possibly because the government fee is charged in US Dollars. The US dollar is the defacto currency in international trade such that many IBCs and other offshore companies operate in US dollars. The Euro is also a popular currency but there is nothing stopping you from having British Pounds, Swiss Francs, Chinese Yuans, or the Singapore dollar as your functional currency and as your share capital currency.

  • Is there a minimum share capital requirement?

    There is no minimum share capital requirement however in practice we have set the minimum as 1 unit of any international currency. The typical minimum used is United States Dollar One and other commonly authorized and issued amounts are 5000 and 100,000 United States Dollars.

    Note that any currency may denominate the share capital but we recommend that whatever currency is used, the minimum number of shares be one whole unit i.e. GBP 1, EUR 1, SGD 1, JPY 1, CNY 1 etc.

  • Who can be a shareholder?

    Anyone can be a shareholder, there is no age requirement. Someone younger than 18 years can be a shareholder, but shareholder proceedings may require the involvement of their legal guardian or even the Courts.

    Also, any corporate entity from any acceptable country, including Seychelles, can be a shareholder of a Seychelles IBC. This includes Seychelles Foundations. A Seychelles trust can also own shares of a Seychelles IBC. Seychelles Trusts and Seychelles Foundations provide interesting holding arrangements for Seychelles IBCs.

  • Are corporate shareholders allowed?

    Yes, corporate shareholders are allowed. Any company, Foundation or Limited Liability Partnership from any acceptable country can be a shareholder of a Seychelles IBC. Another Seychelles IBC or a Seychelles foundation can also be a shareholder of a Seychelles IBC.

  • Can an IBC legally exist without any directors?

    Yes, it can. However an IBC cannot trade or operate without having at least one director. Any person trading in the name of an IBC while it has no directors may be liable personally for the transactions he or she executes. Or he or she may be deemed to be a director of the IBC. An IBC should take steps to appoint a director as soon as possible.

  • What are the benefits of having a professional director?

    You can save on time. The directors manage the company. Instead of directing the company yourself you can find someone suitable so that you can have more time to do other important things.

    A professional director can monitor more closely. You might not be able to run your business from afar and a professional director closer to the activities can help.

    A professional director can bring expertise. Some businesses are specialised and require special skills and knowhow, and a professional director with the required experience and can be the solution.

    You can have some added privacy. Sometimes people think the business is owned by the directors because the directors are the most visible persons in the business. They are the ones who sign contracts and other agreements, and who execute transactions. They open bank accounts, sign cheques, promote the company and answer questions.

  • Can a nominee director be appointed?

    We call them a “professional director”. Professional directors are persons who are willing to be appointed and who are introduced to you by an intermediary or the Registered Agent.

    In a court of law, a judge will not recognize the term “nominee director” because in law the person whose name appears on the Register of Directors is actually fully responsible for the proper management of the company and it does not matter if a person thinks or claims that he was a nominee. A director has to ensure that all legal requirements are being complied with, including the requirement to keep accounting documents and other company records.

    We may provide a short list of approved Seychelles persons who you may appoint as a professional director. In Seychelles, only approved Seychelles residents and corporations owned by a licenced corporate service provider may provide such services. Overseas individuals and corporate entities may provide professional director services without any restrictions, and it is common for an overseas professional director to be appointed.

  • Who can be a director?

    Any individual person over 18 years old may be appointed. The person must not have been declared bankrupt, must not have been convicted of a crime or must not have been disqualified to act as a director in some other way. It is generally recommended that someone with a good clean record is appointed because a director’s past is likely to be scrutinized at some point particularly if a bank account will be required. Most banks will reject an application if a person with a colourful past is involved.

    As an alternative to individual persons, any corporate entity from anywhere in the world may be appointed. The corporate entity must be in good standing on its register.

    A person (whether an individual or a corporation) who is competent and who is responsible should normally be appointed. Directors are responsible for the affairs of the company and owe duty of care to the company.

    The management and control of the company may be placed in the country where the directors reside. This may have important implications in legal proceedings and in taxation matters.

  • Are corporate directors allowed?

    Yes, corporate directors are allowed. A corporate entity from most other countries can be used without restriction but the corporate entity must still be on the register of companies wherever it is registered, and it should be kept in good standing. Its objects must also allow it to act.

  • Can an IBC have only 1 director and 1 shareholder?

    Yes it can. And the director and shareholder can be the same person or corporate entity. You can be the sole director and the sole shareholder of your IBC.

  • Can we have a power of attorney?

    Yes you can. The International Business Companies Act specifically recognizes the appointment of attorneys. A power of attorney is a legal document which gives the appointed person the right to represent the company and to act on its behalf. The document lists the terms of the appointment and may allow the attorney to act for the company without requiring the directors.

    The attorney does not have to be a lawyer or someone with legal training. Anyone over 18 years old who has not been disqualified in some way to take on a role with great responsibility can be appointed.

    A power of attorney is issued by the directors of the company. If a Seychelles director is asked to issue a power of attorney he or she will first carry out some due diligence checks on the person. They reserve the right to refuse if the proposed attorney does not meet their requirements.

    A power of attorney can take one of two general forms: A special power of attorney (also called a limited power of attorney) and a general power of attorney. A special power of attorney lists specific actions that the attorney is expected to perform and it usually specifies a very short time period. An example is to give an attorney in Switzerland the power to open an investment account with a specific bank because the directors cannot go to the bank in person at the particular time. A general power of attorney allows the attorney to perform almost any legal act on behalf of the company and usually it will be issued for 1 year. The attorney in this case will be able to do almost anything in the name of the company. Professional directors much prefer to issue special power of attorney rather than a general power of attorney and will charge extra for a general power of attorney.

    When a power of attorney is issued, the directors still retain responsibility, and professional directors will need to perform some checks before the appointment (usually before they accept the directorship appointment) and they will also need to perform checks later to find out what the attorney has been doing. An attorney must not use the power of attorney to execute secret transactions – the directors must be informed of everything.

  • Is a company secretary needed?

    No. The International Business Companies Act 2016 (as amended) does not require the appointment of a company secretary. It is totally optional.

    It is common for overseas intermediaries to offer the service and in practice intermediaries often act as company secretaries and keep documents including accounting documents. It can be convenient for the end user clients for the company secretary to be closer to them.

    As the registered agent we often also fulfil some of the company secretarial duties but we are not the Company Secretary. We are happy to prepare most statutory resolutions and other simple documents for free and we are happy to help the overseas company secretary out if one is appointed.

  • Can IBC documents be signed electronically?

    Yes Seychelles law recognises digital signatures, and specifically recognises the service provided by Docusign.

  • Who can sign for the company?

    Normally signatory rights are defined in the company’s constitutional documents, the memorandum and articles. Normally the directors sign but it is possible for shareholders to be given some signatory rights particularly for large value transactions, changes in the constitution of the company and in other very important company matters.

    Anyone can also be appointed as a signatory to bank accounts – bank signatories do not have to be directors or shareholders. A power of attorney can also give a person who is not a director powers to sign for the company.

  • Can you provide a "nominee" bank account signatory?

    We prefer to call them a “professional” account signatory. The approved persons who provide professional directorship and who provide nominee shareholder services would usually be happy to be a bank account signatory but while they would be accommodating, they may query a transaction and ask for more information before executing it. If they are uncomfortable, they may well refuse to act and they may resign. A professional account signatory will not knowingly participate in fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities and there are severe punishments under our anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism regulations.

  • Who can be a bank account signatory?

    Anyone you choose can be a bank account signatory. It can be a professional director, a nominee shareholder, a trusted friend or family member, yourself of course or one of our team.

    A bank account signatory is someone who “signs” on an account i.e. approves a transaction and is basically someone who can transfer money from an account or sign cheques. It must be someone who is responsible and who can be trusted. A signatory may act alone (a sole signatory – someone who you trust absolutely) or a signatory may only act together with other persons (joint signatory – for when more control is required). You will usually be able to have different groups of signatories. A common arrangement is to have one group of sole signatories and another group of joint signatories so that your business can continue as normal even when key people are away. You may even have two groups of joint signatories with one joint signatory required from each group so that they control each other.

    Directors are generally expected to be bank account signatories, and professional directors are usually expected to at least be a joint signatory but this is not a requirement. When directors are active bank signatories it will help show their effective management and control.

  • For IBC names, which words are prohibited? Do you have a list?

    Section 11(3) of the International Business Companies Act says “No company shall be incorporated under this Act under a name that –

    (a) is identical with that of statutory corporation or that under which a company in existence is already incorporated under this Act or registered under the Companies Act or so nearly resembles the name of another company as to be calculated to deceive, except where the company in existence gives its consent;

    (b) contains the words “Assurance”, “Bank”, “Building Society”, “Chamber of Commerce”, “Chartered”, “Cooperative”, “Imperial”. “Insurance”, “Municipal”, “Trust”, “Foundation”, or in the opinion of the Registrar, suggests or is calculated to suggest the patronage of or any connection with Seychelles or the Government of Seychelles or with any other country or the Government of that country

    (c) is indecent, offensive or, in the opinion of the Registrar is otherwise objectionable or misleading.

    The FSA maintains a non-exhaustive list of words which we can provide to you upon request.

  • Can an IBC have a non-English name?

    An IBC can be incorporated with a non-English or with a non-French name provided that a certified translation of the name is submitted together with the name request.

  • How fast can you get a name approved?

    Name applications can usually be processed within 1 hour.

    The registry does experience some very busy periods when it can take 2 or 3 hours, but this is not the norm. Do note that it is up to the Registry to approve or reject names. They can also ask for more information about made up words, acronyms and foreign language sounding words (those not in English or French), which can slow down the name application process because we would have to ask you for more information.

    If it is critically important that a company is available within a limited time frame, a ready-made company may be the smarter option.

  • Are there long and complicated forms to fill in?

    No. Our forms are quite short and simple and are usually not more than 2 or 3 pages long. We can assist with form filing and guide you through the process.

  • We need the IBC documents very urgently. Can we have the documents now and we will complete client registration later?

    At the very least we must receive all documents and information required for client registration via email in a high-quality format, preferably in colour, to be able to release your new company documents to you.

    Our regulations strictly require that we complete client registration procedures before we fulfil your orders. During client registration we must come to “know our client” (KYC) to ensure that any proposed business or activity will be in accordance to the laws of Seychelles and to help ensure that once the IBC is operational it will remain compliant. Depending on the circumstances, simplified due diligence measures may be applied to long-standing clients, affiliates or other contacts with a good track record, which can help reduce order processing time.

    In most cases, to complete your orders very quickly we will begin to process your order soon after you choose us.

    When time is very limited a ready-made shelf company may help you meet your deadline. The documents can be despatched immediately after receiving all documents and information for client registration.

  • How quickly can we have an IBC?

    We can usually register a new IBC within 24 to 48 hours, particularly if we have all information and documents to complete the due diligence process quickly. It helps if the required company will have standard features only (no special customizations to the documents) and with an ordinary name in English or French language. We do process everything on an urgency basis, but we may on special request follow up on an order more closely with the Registry and other third parties.

    Slow-downs at the Registry are possible but are rare. Also if you require authentication of documents (notarization, apostille etc) it will take a little longer to have the documents ready.

    On receiving the certificate of incorporation and the registered Memorandum and Articles, we can scan and email high quality PDF documents back to you. Courier to most places thereafter takes 3 or 4 days.

  • How much does it cost to register an IBC?

    Scroll up to see our current offer or please click on the Get A Quote button, or email or message us. Our prices are competitive, and we charge a simple flat fee that includes the government annual fees. Currently the Seychelles government fee for incorporation is United States dollars 140. The annual government fee for subsequent years is USD 150.50.

  • Can we really trust you, the "registered agent"?

    We are licenced and regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). In Seychelles the business of corporate and trustee services providers is highly regulated. An aggrieved client can file a complaint with the authority. For serious wrongdoings, the authority has the power to suspend or to revoke a licence.

    For relatively minor issues you will be able to change to another agent. You could also appoint an intermediary you know and trust such as your lawyers or accountants overseas (not in Seychelles) to manage your company. A registered agent is entitled to information about IBCs, not to control them. It should be noted that the law strongly obligates a registered agent to protect any information received.

  • If someone investigates a Seychelles IBC, what information will they get?

    From a search at the Registry, assuming they already know the name of the IBC, they will be able find out the incorporation number, the amount of the authorized share capital, the amount of guarantee capital (if applicable), the registered agent’s name and address, the registered office of the company, whether the IBC has registered a hypothecation, mortgage or a charge, the last annual licence fee that was paid, the next annual licence fee to be paid and the status of the company (whether in good standing, struck off or dissolved etc). They would also be able to get a copy of the certificate of incorporation, the memorandum and articles and any other documents filed publicly. Normally they would not see the names and addresses of the directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners.

    Law enforcement agencies and governmental bodies and the Courts can obtain all information held by the Registered Agent in Seychelles. This may include beneficial owner registers and declarations, and due diligence documents used to verify the beneficial owners’ details, and the accounting records.

  • Why do you need our passports and other documents and information?

    As a licenced corporate service provider and trustee in Seychelles we are bound by certain laws and regulations. These regulations require that we know our clients through a process called “due diligence”. This process requires that we collect certain documents to verify the identities and addresses of the persons we deal with when forming and administering companies, trusts, foundations, and other entities.

    We must also ask for other information about you and your proposed activities to be able to build a profile that will enable us to ensure that you will be acting in accordance with Seychelles laws and regulations. This profile may also help us notice unauthorized activities, i.e. activities that you have not approved in the event that a third party such as an overseas intermediary or other connected person does not follow the instructions that you have set out.

    Please note that all such information is only filed privately in our records. The documents and information are not filed publicly, and the law provides for confidentiality – we are obligated to preserve confidentiality and to keep the documents and information private. Only the courts may place the documents and information in the public domain. Government bodies such as the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Financial Crimes Investigations Unit (FCIU), the Seychelles Revenue Commission and the FSA have the power to demand documents during an investigation (before legal proceedings) but they are also required to preserve confidentiality.

  • What do you accept as proof of address?

    A proof of address is any document issued by an independent body, in original form or certified as a true copy of the original, that shows the name of the person or entity we will be dealing with and the address of that person or entity.

    When a copy is provided it must be a good quality copy. The person certifying the copy should then sign the certification and add their full name, title, address and the date that they certified the documents. The certifier must have seen the original document. The copy and certification must be done by one the following persons (in order of preference):

    • A notary public
    • A consular or embassy official from your consulate or embassy
    • A police officer
    • A Commissioner of Oaths
    • A Justice of the Peace
    • A Mayor / Maire (but not the deputy)
    • A member of staff at a major international bank (with the bank”s stamp)
    • A qualified lawyer or solicitor who is subjected to anti-money laundering regulations in a regulated jurisdiction and who can state a bar number
    • A qualified accountant or auditor who is subjected to anti-money laundering regulations in a regulated jurisdiction and who can state an international association membership reference
    • We can also accept certification and verification of end user client documents from a registered professional intermediary, who is also a regulated person. A regulated person is someone or an entity who is subjected to anti-money laundering regulations and who is reporting entity under such regulations. Also, if you are in Seychelles we can make a copy of the documents when you are in our offices and we can then certify the copies.

    We usually accept the following documents (in order of preference):

    • A utility service bill (gas, electricity, water, land-line telephone, but NOT mobile phone)
    • A statement from a major bank or building society
    • A credit card statement from VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Diners
    • A certified photocopy of your Drivers License, which should clearly show your name and principal residential address. If you send a certified copy, please copy the front and back of the document
    • A letter from a Consular Official, or higher, from your Embassy or High Commission. This letter must bear the official stamp or seal and show the official’s name and signature
    • A government-issued National Identity card

  • What information and documents will you need from us to register the IBC?

    Our order form lists everything we need, and we can email or message a copy to you. Our order form ensures that you will easily cover all our requirements, step-by-step.

    Basically we will need a name for your IBC, an amount and currency for the authorized share capital, the names and addresses of the directors (unless you want us to introduce you to professional Seychelles directors), the names, addresses, and number of shares for each shareholder, the names and addresses of the beneficial owners (if different from the shareholders), the specific proposed activities of the IBC (even if the IBC will have the most general objects in its Memorandum), the countries where the IBC will have some activity, and the source of funds to form the IBC and to make it work.

    Depending on the specific activities and other special requirements we may ask for more information to be ascertain that your proposed activities are legal in Seychelles and for us to know whether we will be able to serve you well.

  • What information do you need on the proposed business and activities?

    We need enough information about the specific business and activities that the IBC will undertake to be able to provide guidance as to whether it is legal or not, and whether it is allowed or not under Seychelles law and regulations. For most IBCs a short statement comprising of three or four phrases would usually be sufficient to start with.

    We also need to know about the countries and regions where the IBC will operate to ensure that sanctioned countries or countries that are viewed as high risk by us and the Seychelles authorities are not or will not be part of your business. We also ask for a short statement about the source of funds to setup an IBC and to make it work.

    A typical statement may be “The company will be engaged in trading activities and will also provide consultancy services in the mining and industrial equipment sectors. The targeted countries will be Ghana, South Africa, UK and Australia. The source of funds will be the personal savings of the principal shareholder” but the more information you can provide the better our assessment can be.

  • Does an IBC give foreigners an unfair advantage over residents?

    No because Seychelles residents are legally able to own and operate a Seychelles IBC. Seychelles also has a source-based (territorial) tax system meaning that Seychelles residents are only taxed on their locally sourced income.

  • Are there substance rules for Seychelles IBCs?

    Yes, if an IBC is a covered company i.e covered by substance rules. An IBC will be a covered company if it is part of a multinational group (MNG) as per the definition in the Seychelles Business Tax Act (as amended). As a with-tax jurisdiction Seychelles has had to take a different approach to EU-dictated substance rules. Please email us for details.

  • Does an IBC need a Seychelles bank account?

    No there is no requirement to open a Seychelles bank account. A Seychelles IBC can have more or more bank accounts anywhere in the world. Traditionally Seychelles IBCs have banked outside of Seychelles. This has usually been because overseas banks can provide more sophisticated products and more modern services, or because the clients already have a relationship with a particular bank which does not have a branch in Seychelles.

  • What is an accounting address?

    Following amendments to the Seychelles International Business Companies Act on the 27th December 2011 all Seychelles IBCs must give notice to the Registered Agent (that’s us – A.C.T.) of where they keep their original accounting records. It states that the accounting records shall be kept at the registered office or such other place as the directors think fit. Where they are kept at another place the directors must notify the registered agent and also must notify the Registered Agent of a change of address within 14 days. Note that since 2021, all IBCs are required to lodge at least copies of all their records with their registered agent in Seychelles.

  • Does an IBC need to keep books of accounts and other records?

    Yes. It has always been a duty of the directors of the company to do so. Other records include minutes of meetings, and agreements between shareholders and between directors and other officers include consents for appointments and share transfer forms. An IBC must keep such records for 7 years. The registered agent will keep copies of the records it has received in Seychelles, for 7 years.

  • Does an IBC need to file accounts?

    Since 2021, Seychelles IBC have been required to lodge their accounting records with their registered agent in Seychelles (that’s us – A.C.T.). IBC must lodge their transactional documents (aka substantiating documents or supporting documents) e.g. bank statements, invoices, expense vouchers, receipts, accounts ledgers, and contract and agreements etc that would be used for preparing financial statements. IBCs must also prepare a financial summary, which is a simplified form of financial statements. Small pure asset holding IBCs are exempted from the financial summary requirement, but it is recommended that they prepare it for lodgement in Seychelles.

  • Does an IBC need to pay taxes?

    Yes, if it earns Seychelles-sourced income. Since the 1st January 2019, a Seychelles IBCs is subject to Seychelles Business Tax on its net income (profit) for a fiscal year. If it does not have Seychelles-sourced (net) income, there would be no tax liability in Seychelles, and until an IBC does so or expects to, it does not have to register with the Seychelles Revenue Commission. Note that in certain circumstances, particularly where an IBC is part of a multi-national group, foreign-derived passive income may be deemed to be Seychelles-sourced if substance requirements have not been met. IBCs that are or will be part of a multi-national group and which will therefore be covered by Seychelles substance rules (called “covered” companies) must obtain guidance from a tax professional as early as possible e.g. during the setup phase.

    Seychelles business tax is charged at 15% on the first million Seychelles Rupees of net income (profit), and 25% on the remainder.

  • Must an IBC have an office in Seychelles?

    No it is not a requirement but it may be an advantage to have one, particularly if an IBC is part of a multi-national group and it earns foreign passive income.

  • Can an IBC have its own offices in Seychelles?

    Yes an IBC can have its own offices in Seychelles. It can lease its own offices but if it carries out income generating activities from Seychelles, it may generate Seychelles-sourced-income and be taxed on the resultant profits. Where an IBC earns foreign passive income it may still have an office in Seychelles for making or maintaining professional contact with counsel and attorneys, accountants, bookkeepers, trust companies, management companies, investment advisers or other similar persons carrying on business within Seychelles, or to prepare or maintain books and records of the company within Seychelles.

  • Can an IBC invest in Seychelles?

    Yes. However, before an IBC may acquire an interest in land or buildings in Seychelles, government sanction (approval) must be obtained and a fee must be paid to government. Some business activities require a licence, which the IBC would have to apply for.

  • What is the difference between an IBC and a domestic company?

    The 2 types of companies are increasingly similar, but a domestic company still needs 2 directors instead of one (who must be individuals) and 2 shareholders instead of one. This may all change shortly and the domestic company may soon also allow you to have only 1 director and 1 shareholder just like with an IBC. The Registrar of Companies operates the registry for domestic companies whereas the FSA operates a more modern and efficient registry for the IBC. IBC name application can be done in less than 1 hour and registration can be completed within a day, whereas name application for a domestic company can take several days, and registration of a company can take 2 to 3 weeks.

  • It seems you have more than one type of offshore company, which one should we choose?

    There are three main types of companies that may be used for international business in Seychelles: the International Business Company (IBC), the Company with a Special Licence (CSL) and the ordinary “domestic” Seychelles company.

    The IBC is the general-purpose option for international business and is used for most activities. Because an IBC will usually have minimal activity in Seychelles and because it will not usually derive Seychelles-sourced income, it is not automatically registerable for tax purposes in Seychelles, and it does not have to file tax returns unless is registers voluntarily. It is typically used as a holding entity, or for a special purpose (as a special purpose vehicle) e.g. to receive and extinguish toxic assets. It can be used for Seychelles business, but the local market rarely opts for it.

    The domestic company is normally used for business taking place in Seychelles. If you will be operating a bank, insurance company or other professional financial services business in Seychelles (as well as non-financial services businesses like hotels, shops and construction) you will need a domestic company. A domestic company is also popularly used to own Seychelles land and buildings. You could also use it for international businesses and you could use it exclusively for international business in which case it would be similar to an IBC but you would have to file annual returns and tax returns. Seychelles has a territorial tax system so there would be a tax liability only if you derived income from a source in Seychelles, or if the company was part of multi-national group, and it derived foreign passive income without having sufficient substance in Seychelles.

    A CSL is sort of in the middle of the domestic company and the IBC. It is intended for businesses that will be mostly international in nature but which will have an increased domestic presence. If you want a local office that generates or adds value to your international business the CSL is possibly the vehicle to explore. It can also benefit from the double taxation avoidance agreements (DTA) that Seychelles has with many fast-developing countries in Asia and Africa.

  • Do we have to come to Seychelles to incorporate an IBC?

    No. While we are always happy to meet our clients you do not have to come to Seychelles to incorporate an IBC. You can complete client registration electronically and then provide all required information to setup the IBC via email, and important original documents can follow by post or courier.
    However, the “best” jurisdiction will largely depend on your specific requirements. Seychelles is good if you require a general-purpose IBC, particularly if you want a low cost holding company or an special purpose vehicle.

    If you will have very complex financial transactions and arrangements and you will require the sophisticated services of lawyers or accountants in places like London, New York, other offshore financial centres may be more viable. It can also be more challenging in some jurisdictions to open a bank account for a Seychelles IBC.

  • Is Seychelles the best jurisdiction for IBC incorporation?

    Seychelles is a great place to form IBCs because it has a fast and reliable registry, formation and annual fees are relatively low, and the service providers are very keen to help and are very professional. Depending on your exact requirements you can have a Seychelles IBC for less than the BVI government fee and it can be ready within 1 day.

    However, the “best” jurisdiction will largely depend on your specific requirements. Seychelles is good if you require a general-purpose IBC, particularly if you want a low cost holding company or an special purpose vehicle.

    If you will have very complex financial transactions and arrangements and you will require the sophisticated services of lawyers or accountants in places like London, New York, other offshore financial centres may be more viable. It can also be more challenging in some jurisdictions to open a bank account for a Seychelles IBC.

  • What are the main advantages of the Seychelles IBC over other IBCs?

    The main advantages are lower cost, higher availability of names, fast and reliable registration, order completion and delivery. Seychelles IBCs are also subjected to a substance requirements regime that is different to those of competing jurisdictions.

  • What do you mean by a "jurisdiction"?

    A jurisdiction is a territory with its own set of laws under the control of its own system of courts and its own government which are different to other territories. We are usually referring to a country when talking about a jurisdiction but this is not always the case.

  • What is an IBC?

    An international business company (IBC) is a corporate entity that traditionally does not engage in business in the jurisdiction where it is incorporated.

    When people talk about an offshore company they are often talking about an IBC. IBCs are usually incorporated in an offshore financial centre which is “offshore” from where the promoters and founders are. The IBC then usually operates “offshore” as well, that is, in other jurisdictions and not where the IBC is incorporated.

    A number of jurisdictions offer IBCs and IBCs vary little between such jurisdictions. Most usually provide wide corporate powers to engage in diverse businesses and activities, reduced requirement to demonstrate corporate benefit, no requirement to appoint local directors or officers, and the requirement for a local registered agent providing a registered office.

    Advantages of one jurisdiction over another mostly relate to price, availability of names, familiarity, and speed of incorporation and order completion.

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