Non-resident corporation · international business
Marshall Islands — Company formation
The registry states that every corporation needs at least one director and a secretary. Its standard share structure is 500 shares without par value or up to US$50,000 of par value stock; a one-time capitalisation tax applies above that. The registry also offers LLCs and partnerships, which follow different rules. Comparable market packages include name reservation, filing, government fees, articles and bylaws, the first year of registered agent and office, and apostilled corporate documents. The registered address is that of the agent; each item is confirmed in BDA's written quote.
Overview
Non-resident domestic corporation
The registry states that every corporation needs at least one director and a secretary. Its standard share structure is 500 shares without par value or up to US$50,000 of par value stock; a one-time capitalisation tax applies above that. The registry also offers LLCs and partnerships, which follow different rules. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Good fit for
- A Marshall Islands non-resident domestic corporation formed through the RMI Corporate Registry, with The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands (TCMI) as the statutory registered agent.
- A local operating company or subsidiary with a documented commercial purpose
Limitations to plan for
- The registry states that directors, officers and shareholders are not filed in a public register. This concerns public records only: the registered agent, banks and providers still identify beneficial owners under KYC.
- The registry states that TCMI does not provide nominee directors.
- Use for shipping and holding is common; trading companies face bank and counterparty checks on substance.
- Management location, owner tax residence and operations abroad may create tax and reporting obligations outside the place of incorporation. No tax rate or exemption is assumed.
Banking
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Marshall Islands formation
From €1,590
Usually part of formation
- Articles of incorporation
- Filing with the RMI Corporate Registry
- Registered agent, required by law
Optional, quoted separately
- Nominee director, only where permitted and accepted for the case
- Nominee shareholder, only where permitted and accepted for the case
- Apostilled or certified document set
- Bank-account application support (KYC and application, no guaranteed approval)
Every year
- Annual registry fee
- Registered agent and office renewal
- Economic-substance reporting, where applicable
The registry issues an annual invoice for maintaining the entity, and the agent and office are renewed each year; the renewal is quoted separately. No public accounts are filed; internal records are kept, and any economic-substance or other reporting is confirmed per case.
Steps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Choose the entity type (corporation or LLC) and check the name.
- 02
The licensed provider submits the request to incorporate to the registry with the company's details.
- 03
TCMI is appointed as registered agent; the articles are filed and the certificate issued.
- 04
Appoint the director and secretary and adopt the company's internal records.
- 05
Assess bank onboarding and the tax position in the countries where the company is managed and trades.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
- The registry states that directors, officers and shareholders are not filed in a public register. This concerns public records only: the registered agent, banks and providers still identify beneficial owners under KYC.
- The registry states that TCMI does not provide nominee directors.
- Use for shipping and holding is common; trading companies face bank and counterparty checks on substance.
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
At least one director is required, and the director carries legal duties to the company. TCMI does not provide nominee directors; whether another provider can, and at what fee, is on request.
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Shareholders are not listed publicly, but they are identified to the agent and bank. Any nominee shareholding is on request after legal review and does not remove beneficial-owner identification.
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Marshall Islands?
Non-resident domestic corporation: The registry states that every corporation needs at least one director and a secretary. Its standard share structure is 500 shares without par value or up to US$50,000 of par value stock; a one-time capitalisation tax applies above that. The registry also offers LLCs and partnerships, which follow different rules. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Can a Marshall Islands company open a bank account?
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Marshall Islands company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.