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Key Corporate Features

 

General
Type of Entity	IBC
Type of law	Common
Shelf Company Availability	Yes
Minimum Government Fees (Excluding Taxation)	US$ 130
Corporate Taxation	None on Foreign Profits
Double Taxation Treaty Access	No
Share Capital or Equivalent
Standard Currency	USD
Permitted Currencies	Any
Usual Authorized	US$ 1,000,00
Minimum Paid-up Capital	US$1.00
Directors or Managers
Minimum Number	One
Local Required	No
Public Access to Records	No
Location of Meetings	Anywhere
Members
Minimum Number	One
Public Access to Records	No
Location of Meetings	Anywhere
Company Secretary Required	No
Local or Qualified	Not Required
Accounts
Requirement to Prepare	Yes
Audit Requirements	No
Requirement to File accounts	No
Public Access to Accounts	Yes
Other
Requirement to File Annual Return	Yes
Change of 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, about 1,600 km (994 miles) east of Kenya. The largest island is Mahé. Victoria (sometimes called Port Victoria) is the capital city of the Seychelles and is situated on the north-eastern side of Mahé island.

 

Infrastructure & 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 meters 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 (SCR)

 

• 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

 

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