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Seychelles International Business Companies are useful alternatives to offshore companies established in jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands.
In December 1994 the Seychelles enacted legislation enabling the registration of International Business Companies, International Trusts and the licensing of International (free) Trade Zone Companies. More recent legislation covers the licensing of offshore banks, offshore Insurance, mutual funds activities and the regulating of a securities industry. The new laws were a result of intensive studies of long established offshore jurisdictions and world-wide trust legislation.
Although not dissimilar to those of the well-established offshore jurisdictions such as the Cayman, the laws take a most comprehensive, modern and attractive approach to the establishment and operation of offshore companies, mutual funds, offshore banking, offshore insurance and freeport activities.
Seychelles is one of the fastest IBC registrar in the world. The International Business Companies Act, 1994, governs the operations of offshore companies. The registration process in Seychelles is straightforward.
The Seychelles group of islands in the Indian Ocean comprises over one hundred named islands, most being situated between four and five degrees South of the equator. The largest island is Mahé.
The Seychelles has a population of around 80,000, descended primarily from French settlers, Africans, British sailors and traders from India, China and the Middle East.
Discovery of the Islands is credited to the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama. The first French settlement was established on St. Anne Island on the 27th August 1770.
In 1814 the Seychelles, along with Mauritius, were ceded to Great Britain under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. It was only in 1960 that the first gradual constitutional reforms were introduced.
The Head of State is the President and a National Assembly of directly elected Members heads the legislative side of Government. Seychelles is an independent republic within the British Commonwealth.
The Seychelles economy is primarily tourism and fishing based. Industrial fishing is on the increase.
The rapidly expanding financial sector, linked to the establishment of the Seychelles International Business Authority and a suite of progressive laws facilitating the establishment of offshore structures and encouraging inward investment, is now a significant element of the economy.
An ever-increasing number of international banks and insurance companies have established either branches or subsidiaries whom, together with local management, accounting and legal firms provide clients with support.
The Port of Victoria is well equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and has more than 6,000 square metres of covered storage space.
The Seychelles International Airport is one of the finest in the Indian Ocean region. In addition to the national flag carrier, Air Seychelles, the airport is served by a number of other airlines.
The official languages are English, French and Creole. Creole is spoken widely. English is the main language of business.
Seychelles Rupee.
Exchange controls do not apply to 'offshore' business.
Based on English Common Law and French Civil Law.
The International Business Companies Act 1994.
The Seychelles International Business Company.
Filing of Memorandum of Incorporation at the Registry. The Articles of Association can be filed either at the same time or within 30 days of incorporation.
Cannot trade within the Seychelles or own real estate there. Cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, asset management (other than the company's own assets) or any other activity that would suggest an association with the banking and insurance industries. A Seychelles IBC cannot provide registered office facilities in the Seychelles, or sell its shares to the public.
A Seychelles incorporated Company has the same powers as a natural person.
Yes, must be maintained in the Seychelles at the office of a licensed Registered Agent.
Online incorporation will allow approved sub-agents in Anguilla to incorporate within minutes. Otherwise, 24 hours is required.
Yes.
Two days.
Anything identical or similar to a company already incorporated. Anything that implies patronage of the Seychelles, or any other government, insurance, royal, imperial or any other name that may imply that a company intends to undertake a licensable or undesirable activity.
The name can be in any language, but must be accompanied by a translation in English or French. The documentation will either be in English, or it is possible to have bilingual documentation in English and Chinese or any other language accompanied by a translation in English or French.
The name of an IBC must end in one of the following: Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Société Anonyme or their abbreviations. A wide variety of other suffixes such as BV, GmbH, and SARL may also be used.
No.
Seychelles IBCs are normally incorporated with an authorised share capital of US$100,000 with par value. The authorised share capital may be expressed in any currency. The minimum issued capital is either one share of no par value or one share of par value.
Registered shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.
An International Company is exempted from local taxation.
Annual Licence Fee is US$100 irrespective of Authorised Capital.
There is no requirement to file financial statements, but a company must keep records to reflect its financial position.
The minimum number of directors is one, who may be a natural person or a body corporate. They may be of any nationality and need not be resident in the Seychelles.
A Seychelles IBC need not appoint a company secretary, although it is customary to do so. The secretary may be a natural person or body corporate, be of any nationality and need not be resident in the Seychelles.
The minimum number of shareholders is one.
Seychelles IBC Fact Sheet Seychelles IBC Enquiry Form Seychelles IBC Order Form Shelf List Comparison Chart
A bespoke 'offshore' solution can be complex and requires careful planning and execution. We therefore encourage our clients to contact us directly, without obligation, for a Free Initial Consultation.
Our experienced consultants will gladly assist with advice on how to approach your particular challenge.
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