British Virgin Islands Offshore Company Overview 

Business Company's ('BC's') are companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands ('BVI') under the Business Company Act, 2004, whose business is to be conducted outside the BVI, and which may not do business with any person resident in the BVI. 

BVI BC's are a very popular and widely used offshore companies because of their administrative ease, flexibility, taxation exempt status and the fact that they are widely accepted and understood by the international financial community. BVI BC's may not own real property in the BVI, other than the lease of an office, and may not carry on banking or trust business (unless licensed under the Banks and Trust Companies Act, 1990) or insurance or re-insurance business (unless licensed in the BVI to carry on that business). Otherwise, BVI BC's may engage in any activity that is not illegal under the laws of the BVI subject to any restrictions in their Memorandum of Association. 

The British Virgin Islands are a small group of islands in the Caribbean Sea located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. The BVI has excellent airline connections with Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan, which is a major hub for American Airlines. The BVI financial services industry enjoys the advantages of having responsibility for its internal self-government, while maintaining the political and economic stability associated with being a British Overseas Territory. 

The BVI has an independent legal and judicial system based on English Common Law, with a right of final appeal to the Privy Council in London. Policies and legislation are developed in close consultation with the private sector. Offshore business can be carried out in a tax-free environment. 

Key Corporate Features

General
Type of entity	BC
Type of law	Common
Shelf company availability	Yes
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation):	US$350
Corporate taxation	None
Double taxation treaty access	No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency	US$
Permitted currencies	Any
Usual authorised:	US$50K
Directors or Managers
Minimum number	One
Local required:	No
Publicly accessible records	No
Location of meetings	Anywhere
Members
Minimum number	One
Publicly accessible records	Optional
Location of meetings:	Anywhere
Company Secretary Required	Optional
Local or qualified	No
Accounts
Requirement to prepare	Yes
Audit requirements	No
Requirement to file accounts	No
Publicly accessible accounts	No
Other
Requirement to file annual return	No
Change in domicile permitted	Yes

General Information

The British Virgin Islands consist of 60 islands and cays having a total land area of 150 sq. km. The BVI lie to the north west of the United States Virgin Islands and are separated from them by a channel only five kilometers wide. The neighbour with the largest land area is Puerto Rico, 96 km. to the west. Except for Anegada, which is a flat, coral island with little soil, the islands are hilly. The BVI's greatest tourist attraction is their superb beaches. 

• Infrastructure And Economy

There is an excellent daily air service between the Islands and the USA. Cruise ships call in weekly to the Islands and there are freight carriers. 

The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the national income. 

In 1985, the Government offered offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the Islands.

• Language

The official and spoken language is English.
.

• Currency

United States Dollar.

• Exchange Control

None.

• Type of Law

Based on English Common Law with local modifications and local statutes..

• Principal Corporate Legislation

The Companies Act (Cap. 285) and The International Business Companies Act (Cap. 291)..

Company Information 

• Type of Company for International Trade and Investment

The British Virgin Islands International Business Company.

• Restrictions on Trading

BVI IBC's cannot trade within the British Virgin Islands or own real estate there. Cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship, the rendering of investment advice or any other activity that would suggest an association with the banking or insurance industries. Cannot offer its shares for sale to the public..

• Powers of Company

A company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands has the same powers as a natural person.

• Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

English.

• Shelf Companies Available

Yes.

• Language of Name

Latin Alphabet. Any name in a language other than English must be accompanies by a translation to ensure that the name is not restricted.

• Registered Office Required

Yes, must be maintained in the British Virgin Islands, and must be maintained at the office of a licensed management company.

• Name Restrictions

Any name that is identical or similar to an existing company, or any name that suggests the patronage of the Royal Family or the Government of the British Virgin Islands.

• Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima or their relevant abbreviations.

• Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

No.