Background Information

  • Confidential structure - no filing requirements with the authorities.
  • Tax Exempt Structure - used for non-Seychelles based business.
  • Simple legislative requirements.
  • Cheap annual maintenance cost.
  • Fast and efficient technical support.

Seychelles is an independent Republic within the Commonwealth with a population of 82,000. Seychelles comprises a group of approximately 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. The country has good political stability with a democratically elected Government. The Seychelles economy is primarily based on tourism, commercial fishing and offshore financial services industry.

Seychelles offers a wide variety of financial services, including offshore banking, investments and insurance. The International Business Company (IBC), which is both inexpensive and user friendly, is the most popular corporate entity and can be used for many purposes with few limitations.

Law and Taxation

The principal corporate legislation governing IBCs is the International Business Companies Act (IBC Act) 1994.

IBCs are exempt from taxation on business activities or transactions carried on outside the Republic of Seychelles, and although there are no specific laws to govern secrecy in relation to companies, the English common law imposes the duty for professionals to keep the affairs of their clients confidential.

 

Benefits of having a Seychelles IBC ?

  • Company Status ?
  • Legislative source ?
  • What types of IBC's are allowed ?
  • How do I register an IBC ?
  • Time taken to incorporate ?
  • Company name ?
  • What about the share capital of my company ?
  • Are bearer shares/shares of no par value allowed ?
  • Minimum number of shareholders / Minimum number of Directors ?
  • Are corporate directors allowed ?
  • Is a Registered Office / Registered Agent required ?
  • Is any information required by the authorities prior to incorporation or prior to tax status being granted ?
  • Can an IBC operate from an office in Seychelles and Maintain a foreign exchange account in Seychelles ?
  • Can an IBC invest in Seychelles ?
  • Is confidentiality granted to IBCs ?
  • What information is available on the public file or records ?
  • Is it required to keep and file books and records ?
  • Corporate books and seal ?
  • Are accounts required / filed ?
  • Is an annual return required ?
  • Where are meetings to be held ?

Benefits of having a Seychelles IBC

Not yet widely perceived as a tax haven.

Company Status

International Business Company.

Legislative source

International Business Companies Act, 1994 (Act 24 of 1994).

What types of IBC's are allowed

All IBC's that conduct their businesses outside Seychelles are allowed, provided their business is not banking, insurance, re-insurance or trust. Limited Life Companies are allowed.

How do I register an IBC

You would normally submit the name of the desired IBC to us, and we would seek a name approval. This is granted instantly. Once we present the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company to the Registrar and these comply with the law, a certificate of incorporation may be issued and your new company is incorporated.

Time taken to incorporate

Within a few hours. The Registrar's office is automated, which enables incorporation to be done within 24 hours.

Company Name

Name must include GmbH, Inc. Ltd, Limited as an ending or part of the name.  Certain words are prohibited such as names suggesting the patronage of any Government or country.  Name approval takes less than 30 minutes. A name may be reserved for 30 days.

What about the share capital of my company

There is no minimum share capital required. Share capital may be expressed in any currency. The usual minimum capital is US$5,000.

Are bearer shares/shares of no par value allowed

Yes / Yes

Minimum number of shareholders / Minimum number of Directors

One / One.

Are corporate directors allowed

Yes

Is a Registered Office / Registered Agent required

You must have a registered agent and registered office and we provide these services.

Can an IBC operate from an office in Seychelles and maintain a foreign exchange account in Seychelles

Yes, provided the office is used for making or maintaining professional contact with counsel and attorneys, accountants, book-keepers, 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.

Yes. All IBC's have automatic access to a foreign exchange account in Seychelles should they wish to have one.

Can an IBC invest in Seychelles

Yes and an IBC may hold shares, debt obligations or other securities in a domestic company in Seychelles. It may buy bonds or other securities issued by the Government of Seychelles. An IBC may also own or manage a vessel or aircraft registered in the Seychelles under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992.

Is confidentiality granted to IBCs

Yes. All proceedings in respect of civil matters involving an IBC shall be heard by a Judge in Chambers.

What information is available on the public file or records

The Registrar maintains only the copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association as well as copies of certificates of incorporation and of good standing, change of name and other such certificates, details of Registered Office & Registered Agent.

Is it required to keep and file books and records

Yes and no. Yes, books and records such as copies of Register of Members and Register of Director of a company must be kept at the Registered Office of that company. However, these do not have to be filed at the Registrar's office. The Registrar only needs to know the address where such records are kept.

Corporate books and seal

The above registers. There is no seal requirement.

Are accounts required / filed

 No / No

Is an annual return required

 No

Where are meetings to be held

Anywhere. No restrictions