International trade · services · asset holding
Seychelles Company Formation (IBC)
Seychelles companies are used for international trading, holdings and some licensed financial activity under the FSA. Simplicity is the advantage; banking is the main point to plan.
Overview
International business company (IBC)
Trading and holding vehicle.
Foundation
For asset protection and succession.
FSA-licensed company
Securities dealer and other regulated activity.
Good fit for
- International trading and service companies
- Forex and investment businesses seeking a licence
- Private asset-holding
Limitations to plan for
- Accounting records kept at the registered office
- Beneficial ownership register
- Substance expectations for licensed entities
Banking
Banks treat Seychelles companies with caution; a clear activity, real counterparties and documented funds are essential.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Seychelles formation
From €2,990
Usually part of formation
- Name approval
- Registration with the FSA registry
- Constitutional documents
- Beneficial-owner declarations
- Resident registered agent and registered office in Seychelles, required by law
Optional, quoted separately
- Nominee director, if accepted
- Apostille
Every year
- Government licence fee
- Registered agent and address renewal
- Accounting records and annual return, as currently required
Keep the beneficial-owner register current and preserve ownership/control records. Confirm IBC accounting delivery, annual declarations, agent charges and the current consolidated legislation separately; exact deadlines and the renewal price are confirmed with the agent before engagement. Licensed activity adds its own requirements.
A resident agent and a registered office are legal requirements for a Seychelles IBC, not optional extras. What is not confirmed is whether the first-year agent and office are included in the quoted price or invoiced separately — the written offer decides.
Corporate services after formationSteps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Review
Your activity, owners and goals are checked against this jurisdiction.
- 02
Proposal
Written scope with fees, exclusions and annual costs.
- 03
KYC and filing
Documents are collected and the provider files with the registry.
- 04
Handover
Company documents, then renewals and maintenance if you need them.
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
- Identify and verify ultimate beneficial owners, including control through arrangements rather than shares alone.
- Maintain an accurate, current beneficial-owner register at the resident agent's principal place of business in Seychelles and preserve relevant records.
- A proposed nominee chain must be assessed for ownership and control. A draft amendment bill is not proof that a new obligation is enacted.
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
Seychelles: a nominee director is separate from the statutory agent and must accept real duties. Public advertising of the service does not establish BDA appointment availability or a BDA annual price.
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
Seychelles: the official guidelines address nominee chains and require identification of the ultimate beneficial owner. Registered legal ownership does not replace beneficial-owner information. Availability and price on request.
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 Seychelles?
International business company (IBC): Trading and holding vehicle. Foundation: For asset protection and succession. FSA-licensed company: Securities dealer and other regulated activity.
Can a Seychelles company open a bank account?
Banks treat Seychelles companies with caution; a clear activity, real counterparties and documented funds are essential. 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 Seychelles company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.