Seychelles Offshore Company Overview 

The Seychelles International Business Company is a 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 free port activities. 

Seychelles is one of the fastest IBC registrars in the world. The International Business Companies Act, 1994, governs the operations of offshore companies. The registration process in Seychelles is straightforward.

Key Corporate Features

General
Type of entity	IBC
Type of law	Hybrid
Shelf company availability	Yes
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation):	US$100
Corporate taxation	Nil
Double taxation treaty access	No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency	US$
Permitted currencies	Any
Usual authorised:	US$100K
Directors or Managers
Minimum number	One
Local required:	No
Publicly accessible records	No
Location of meetings	Anywhere
Members
Members Minimum number	One
Publicly accessible records	No
Location of meetings:	Anywhere
Company Secretary Required	No
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 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. 

• Infrastructure And Economy

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.

• Language

The official languages are English, French and Creole. Creole is spoken widely. English is the main language of business.

• Currency

Seychelles Rupee.

• Exchange Control

Exchange controls do not apply to 'offshore' business.

• Type of Law

Based on English Common Law and French Civil Law.

• Principal Corporate Legislation

The International Business Companies Act 1994.

Company Information 

• Type of Company for International Trade and Investment

The Seychelles International Business Company.

• Restrictions on Trading

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.

• Powers of Company

A Seychelles incorporated Company has the same powers as a natural person.

• Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

English or French. If any other language is used it must be accompanied by a translation in either English or French.

• Shelf Companies Available

Yes.

• Language of Name

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.

• Registered Office Required

Yes, must be maintained in the Seychelles at the office of a licensed Registered Agent.

• Name Restrictions

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.

• Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

Limited, Corporation, Incorporated,  Société Anonyme or their abbreviations. A wide variety of other suffixes such as BV, GmbH, and SARL may also be used.

• Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

No.