Seychelles MEA Region

🌍 Seychelles IBC Setup – Key Overview

A Seychelles International Business Company (IBC) is a fast, affordable, and flexible legal structure designed for international business operations. It is ideal for entrepreneurs, consultants, asset managers, and holding companies seeking tax neutrality and ease of use.

✅ Main Features

Fast incorporation: Typically completed within 1–2 business days

Minimum requirements:
- One director and one shareholder only (can be the same person)
- Individuals or corporate entities allowed

Full ownership privacy:
- No public registry of shareholders, directors, or UBOs

Capital flexibility:
- Minimum paid-up capital is USD 1
- Shares can be issued in any currency

Permitted uses:
- International trade
- Investment holding
- Consulting or advisory business
- Intellectual property ownership

Prohibited activities:
- No business inside Seychelles
- No banking, insurance, or licensed financial services without approval

💼 Compliance & Maintenance

Tax-exempt:
- 0% tax on worldwide income, as long as business is conducted outside Seychelles

Bookkeeping required:
- Must maintain accounting records
- No annual return filing with the registrar

Regulatory body:
- Financial Services Authority (FSA), ensuring AML/CFT compliance

EU listing:
- Seychelles is currently on the EU tax blacklist (as of Oct 2023), which may affect banking in some regions

💰 Costs & Fees

Incorporation cost (first year): approx. USD 1000, includes:
- Government incorporation fee and tax
- Registered agent services
- Registered office address
- Compliance and due diligence for one UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner)
- Basic disbursements (documentation, filing, etc.)
- Initial business consultation – advisory on structure setup, documentation, and banking strategy

⚙️ Optional Services

We offer a comprehensive suite of optional services to support your Seychelles IBC beyond incorporation. These services are tailored to enhance your company's credibility, legal standing, and operational readiness.

Corporate Documentation & Certification
- Certificate of Good Standing: Confirms the company is legally registered and compliant.
- Certificate of Incumbency: Lists current directors, officers, and key management.
- Certificate of Collation: Verifies accuracy and completeness of corporate records.

Document Legalization
- Notarization: Provides legal authentication of documents for official use.
- Apostille: Certifies documents for international use under the Hague Convention.

Banking Support
- Bank Account Opening Assistance: End-to-end facilitation of corporate bank account setup, including documentation, compliance, and coordination with banking partners.

Courier Services
- Courier Handling: Secure international delivery of original corporate documents.

Nominee & Management Services
- Provision of Corporate Director: Appoints a corporate entity as company director for administrative or privacy purposes.
- Provision of Individual Director: Appoints a qualified individual to act as director, ensuring governance and leadership presence when needed.

📄 Required Documents for Onboarding & Compliance

A valid passport copy for each shareholder, director, and UBO

A recent proof of address (dated within the last 3 months) such as a utility bill or bank statement

An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) detailing professional background and experience

The KYC form provided by Alliance Advisers, to be completed and signed by all relevant parties

These documents form the basis for due diligence and are essential for both company incorporation and bank account facilitation. Our team will review all submissions and guide you through the next steps to ensure a smooth and compliant process.

Seychelles is home to a limited number of domestic and offshore-friendly banks, most of which follow stringent international compliance standards due to global regulatory pressure. While account opening has become more selective, it remains feasible for well-structured IBCs with clear business models and proper documentation. At Alliance Advisers, we assist clients by providing the necessary professional references (PR), supporting documentation, and guidance needed to meet banking due diligence requirements. Our established relationships with local and regional banks allow us to facilitate account openings within competitive timeframes, ensuring a smooth and compliant process from start to finish.

📌 Why Choose Seychelles?

Politically stable and business-friendly jurisdiction

Fast turnaround and low setup costs

No local tax for offshore activities

No exchange control restrictions

Ability to redomicile (move company to/from Seychelles)

Expanding network of double tax treaties (e.g. China, UAE, Belgium)

This structure is ideal for entrepreneurs looking for an easy-to-maintain, tax-efficient international business vehicle, with strong privacy and minimal red tape.

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