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If you are a foreign investor who desires to own an offshore company to expand and has limited resources but still want benefits close to incorporating a company in other developed countries, Seychelles company registration is your solution.
Our comprehensive article will help you learn about the myriad benefits, company types, and the step-by-step incorporation process. With that knowledge and insights, you can make informed decisions for your business expansion and global presence.
1. Overview of Seychelles
Seychelles stands as an enticing business destination for investors seeking efficient tax planning and asset protection through offshore company formation. Globally recognized for its preferential regime, Seychelles ranks among the top choices for establishing offshore companies, offering numerous tax advantages.
1.1. Overview of registering an offshore Seychelles company
The Republic of Seychelles, situated in the Indian Ocean east of mainland Southeast Africa, stands as an independent nation. Not participating in military or political alliances, Seychelles focuses on fostering economic and commercial collaborations with countries globally. Notably, Seychelles is not on the OECD blacklist, maintaining a significant advantage for establishing offshore companies.
With over 25 DTAA double tax avoidance agreements and more than 10 effective tax information exchange agreements, Seychelles boasts a stable tax legal system, supporting foreign companies operating within its borders.
The country amended its laws for offshore company establishment in 2007, reducing annual government fees, and enhancing its appeal to foreign businesses seeking offshore company formation. Today, Seychelles is among the top popular countries such as Belize, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA where many choose to form their own company
1.2. Seychelles company types for foreigner
In Seychelles, you have two primary options for company formation if you are a foreign entrepreneur: the International Business Company (IBC) and the Seychelles Special License Company (CSL). You can see the distinct difference between these 2 types of company structures in the comparison table below:
| Characteristics | IBC | CSL |
| Type of company | International Business Company | Special License Compa |
| Law governing formation | International Business Companies Act 1994 | Companies Act 1972, Companies (Special Licenses) Act 2003 |
| Corporate income tax rate | 0% | 1.5% |
| Minimum number of directors |
1 Company Directors are allowed |
2 Company Directors are not allowed |
| Minimum number of shareholders | 1 | 2 |
| Minimum Contributed Capital | $1 USD | 10% of Charter Capital |
| Local secretary requirement | Optional |
Obligatory |
Compared to the CSL company type, IBC or offshore company is still the type of company that foreign investors prioritize and choose because of its simple procedures and requirements in addition to being exempt from 0% corporate income tax.
2. Important considerations before Seychelles company registration
When conducting business in Seychelles under the International Business Company (IBC) Act, you are subject to certain limitations. These restrictions include:
- Prohibition from conducting business with individuals/companies residing in Seychelles.
- Ineligibility to own real estate in Seychelles, except for rental property intended for office use.
- Inability to engage in banking, insurance, or reinsurance business.
- Prohibition from undertaking office supply business for other companies.
- Inability to conduct trust business.
These restrictions are important to consider and comply with when operating an IBC in Seychelles.
3. Seychelles company registration requirements
When you decide to incorporate your offshore company in Seychelles, you need to meet several key requirements listed below
- Company Name
The company name must be unique, avoid copyright infringement, contain no inappropriate terms or governmental associations, and end with a phrase indicating the company's legal status.
- At least 1 shareholder
The company must have a minimum of one shareholder, who can be an individual or a corporate entity. There are no residency requirements, and foreign shareholders can own 100% of the company shares.
- At least 1 director
Directors can be foreign individuals or legal entities. There are no restrictions based on nationality or residency. Directors must be at least 18 years old and have a clean record without bankruptcy or criminal convictions.
- A registered agent
You must seek out a trusted registered agent who can help you incorporate and manage your IBC in Seychelles. Global Link Asia Consulting is proud to be your registered agent
- Registered address in Seychelles
A registered company address is required for official business registration. It lends a professional appearance to the company and ensures compliance with Seychelles' regulations. We can assist in finding a suitable rental address and handle the registration process.
- A minimum capital of 1 USD
With only 1 USD, you can start to register your company right away. As the business expands, you can increase its capital and inform the relevant government authorities accordingly.
4. 5 steps for registering your company in Seychelles
5 Steps to incorporate an offshore company in Seychelles include:
If you are ready to incorporate now, you can send us an email at
If you wish to know more about our Singapore company registration service, we will consult and answer all your questions. After that, we send you a detailed email including the incorporation process, service fee corresponding to your need, required documents, etc). Should there be any queries, feel free to contact us via phone number or meet us directly at the office.
When you decide to use your exceptional Singapore company registration package, you just need to pay 50% of the total payment and the rest post-incorporation. A payment guide will be sent via email.
Once we've received your payment, our consultant will guide you to process the necessary paperwork. We'll guide you to properly prepare documents for incorporation via the KYC online form. You can also access our digital Client Portal to proceed with the incorporation steps and keep track of the process anytime, anywhere.
- The company name (at least 3)
- Registered capital
- A short brief of the main business activity
- Information of the company’s directors
- Individual directors submit their copies of valid passports and other residence proof
- Information of the company shareholders:
- Individual shareholders submit their copies of valid passports and other residence proof
- Corporate shareholders must submit copies of their incorporation documents
We initiate the process by submitting all required documents to the Seychelles Companies Registry. Upon registration, all official documents will be immediately available on our online portal. As soon as your company is registered, you can start conducting business under its name. Then, you just need to pay the remaining 50% of the service fee.
Our expert consultant is ready to guide you in selecting the ideal banking partner for your company's corporate bank account. We help you:
- Open a bank account with a digital bank approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Digital banking offers numerous advantages for businesses, such as fast account opening, low initial deposit requirements, low fees, fast and cheap international transfers, easier management of multiple currencies, and many others.
- Open a bank account with a traditional Singapore bank (OCBC, DBS, HSBC, Standard Chartered, etc.),
If you wish to have a digital bank account, you just need to have an online interview with the dedicated staff.
If you choose to open a traditional bank account, directors and shareholders or authorized representatives need to fly to Singapore for an interview.
After setting up a Singapore company, the director and shareholder will need to be present in Singapore to carry out the procedure of opening an account with a banker.
From the date of submission of the applications with the physical bank in Singapore, the account number will be issued within 2 to 3 working weeks. As soon as you have a physical bank account, you can start dealing with suppliers, customers, partners, etc.
We suggest that you have at least 2 bank accounts (whether traditional or digital). This will ensure that you always have a backup plan to operate your business if there is a problem (Physical banks in Singapore close accounts due to various reasons).
5. Why our Seychelles offshore company registration service is unique?
When choosing Global Link Asia Consulting as your one-stop trusted service provider, you can
- Earn transparent, accurate information;
- Minimize potential risks of false tax-accounting practices, inability to open a bank account, ongoing compliances with the relevant authorities;
- Enjoy a stringent customer information security policy;
- No hidden fees and information is clear and transparent right from the beginning;
- Get 5-start customer service with prompt response and an easy-to-follow guide for application;
- Save a lot of time and cost compared to doing it yourself.
6. How can we help you set up an offshore company in Seychelles?
Global Link Asia Consulting, as your trusted one-stop corporate service provider helping hundreds of business owners start their businesses overseas and manage their companies with success, can help you
- Register an offshore company in Seychelles;
- Open an offshore corporate bank account with a 99% success rate;
- Choose the right company types for tax optimization in Singapore;
- Apply for business licenses;
- Get an affordable, professional registered office address for business;
- Support to open, authenticate, and manage Stripe Paypal Business in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S;
- Handle all your tax accounting needs, timely annual filings, auditing, and more.
7. FAQs about Seychelles company incorporation
- Attractive Tax Regime: Seychelles offers a low-tax environment with no corporate or personal income tax, withholding tax, or capital gains tax.
- Security: The jurisdiction upholds strong privacy and security laws, including banking secrecy regulations, ensuring confidentiality regarding directors' and shareholders' information.
- Ease of Establishment: Seychelles provides a straightforward and rapid company setup process.
International Reputation: Seychelles boasts a stable economic and political environment, enhancing its credibility as an ideal hub for international business. - Asset Protection: The jurisdiction offers robust laws for safeguarding assets, making it an appealing destination for holding offshore assets.
The specific requirements depend on the type of business, whether it is an IBC or CSL, relating to directors, shareholders, charter capital, etc. Ultimately, we can help you set up your company in Seychelles no matter what company type you choose.
Seychelles foreign companies, especially international business companies, are restricted from owning real estate or engaging in any activities within the country.
With over a decade of experience serving as a trusted partner to more than 750 business owners seeking professional development and breakthroughs in the international market, we are an expert strategic corporate service provider helping you incorporate and operate successfully in 10 different countries
Our areas of expertise include:
- Strategic Consulting and Company formation in over 10 different countries worldwide such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and offshore destinations like BVI, Belize, Seychelles, and more.
- Account opening for personal and corporate bank accounts, as well as setting up PayPal and Stripe gateqays in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S..
- Tax Consulting and Preparation for SFRS IFRS financial reports, corporate income tax returns, VAT/GST (Value Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax), and more.
- Opreation support:
- Registered adress;
- Foreign consular legalization;
- Trademark and patent protection registration in Singapore and the US;
- Employment Pass application in Singapore and Hong Kong;
- Website design, international SIM number provision;
- DUNS registration.
With over 10 years of experience and a team of experts with 5 to 25 years of experience (international standard certifications) as well as direct partnerships with institutions such as OCBC, UOB, DBS, PayPal, and Stripe, we are proud to offer professional, legal, transparent, sustainable services with no hidden costs.
Global Link Asia Consulting Pte. Ltd. is pleased to announce the publication of the above insightful and informative article on our official website, Global Link Asia Consulting on 09th December 2019. The copyright for this article is exclusively held by Global Link Asia Consulting Pte. Ltd. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this content without our express written permission is strictly prohibited. We value the protection of our intellectual property and appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. Thank you for your continued support of Global Link Asia Consulting Pte. Ltd.
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