Seychelles Company Registration | Set Up a Seychelles Offshore Company (IBC)
Planning Seychelles company registration or a Seychelles offshore company? The most common entity in Seychelles is the international business company (IBC) formed under the International Business Companies Act, 2016. The application must be filed by a local registered agent with the Registrar of Companies under the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). Shareholders and directors can be foreigners, and only 1 director is needed.
Under Schedule 2 of the Act, the IBC setup fee is US$130 and the annual fee is US$140. A company must keep accounting records, prepare an annual financial summary and file its register of directors with the Registrar, and foreign passive income must meet the economic substance test. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers one-stop Seychelles company formation, from structure assessment and working with a registered agent to document preparation, bank account opening and annual maintenance, helping businesses and individuals set up a compliant company in Seychelles.
The register of members and the register of beneficial owners of a Seychelles company are kept by the company and its registered agent. However, under section 152 of the International Business Companies Act, the register of directors must be filed with the Registrar within 30 days after the first directors are appointed. Beneficial owner information must also be kept under the Beneficial Ownership Act, 2020, and the authorities can access it as the law allows.
A Seychelles IBC application can only be filed with the Registrar by the proposed registered agent. Documents and KYC can be prepared remotely, so shareholders and directors do not need to travel to Seychelles. The actual approval time depends on the Registrar’s review.
Seychelles has historically taxed only locally sourced income. The Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) states that from September 16, 2021, passive income that covered companies earn from non-residents is subject to an economic substance test. For businesses operating in Seychelles, the general business tax rate for companies is 15% on the first SCR 1 million and 25% above that.
A Seychelles IBC needs only 1 director, and shareholders and directors can be of any nationality. The government setup fee is US$130 and the annual fee is US$140. The company must keep accounting records for at least 7 years and prepare an annual financial summary within 6 months after the financial year end, kept at its registered office in Seychelles.
As an independent republic, Seychelles has a stable political environment and a legal system that combines English common law and French civil law, giving businesses reliable legal protection.
company registration?
As an offshore structure, a Seychelles company’s main features come from the International Business Companies Act, 2016 and the tax system:
Seychelles company registration must be filed with the Registrar by a locally licensed registered agent (an international corporate service provider), and documents can be prepared remotely.
NSS Group connects you with a Seychelles registered agent, prepares the shareholder and director documents, and plans the annual fee, register of directors, accounting records and beneficial owner filings after setup, so your Seychelles offshore company stays clear and compliant from setup to annual maintenance.
Under sections 9 and 164 of the International Business Companies Act, the application can only be filed by the proposed registered agent, and the company must have a registered agent in Seychelles at all times after that.
The registered agent checks that the name is available. The name of a limited liability company must end with Limited, Corporation, Incorporated or an abbreviation of these. Extending a name reservation costs US$25.
Under anti-money laundering rules, give the registered agent passports and proof of address for the directors, shareholders and beneficial owners, plus a description of the business and the source of funds.
The registered agent prepares the Memorandum and Articles, setting out the rules on shares, directors and corporate governance.
The registered agent files the Memorandum, Articles and application and pays the US$130 fee, and the Registrar issues the certificate of incorporation. The register of directors is filed within 30 days after the first directors are appointed, and the US$140 annual fee is paid before each incorporation anniversary.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Offshore company banking and OBU options
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Structure assessment and name check
- Introduction to a Seychelles registered agent
- Memorandum and Articles drafting
- KYC document preparation and incorporation filing
- First-year registered agent and registered office
Seychelles government setup fee: US$130, plus an annual fee of US$140 each year (international business company, excluding protected cell companies). Registered agent and advisory fees are quoted by structure and scope of service. See the fee breakdown below. There are no hidden fees.
Seychelles company formation cost: fee breakdown
The total cost of setting up a Seychelles company is made up of government fees, the registered agent's service fee and annual maintenance. Below are the government fees in Schedule 2 of the International Business Companies Act, 2016, so you can check Seychelles offshore company quotes line by line.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International business company (IBC) setup fee | US$130 (one-time) | Under section 9 and Schedule 2 of the International Business Companies Act, paid when the proposed registered agent files the application with the Registrar. |
| Government annual fee | US$140 | Under section 12, paid through the registered agent before each incorporation anniversary. |
| Late annual fee penalty | 10% or 50% of the annual fee | A 10% surcharge applies if paid within 90 days after the due date, and 50% after 90 days. A company that stays unpaid for a long time may be struck off by the Registrar. |
| Protected cell company (PCC) | Consent application US$200, setup US$500, annual fee US$500 | Only for protected cell companies, which need consent from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Not needed for ordinary trading or holding purposes. |
| Name reservation extension | US$25 | Keeps a name reserved for later use under section 29(3). |
| Registered agent and registered office | Quoted by service | A Seychelles company must have a local registered agent and registered office at all times, which is a fixed annual maintenance item. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on the shareholder structure, number of directors, bank account needs and home-country tax planning. Every item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Government fees follow Schedule 2 of the consolidated International Business Companies Act published by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) (consolidated to August 24, 2026). The latest notices from the FSA and the official Gazette prevail.
Seychelles company tax and compliance: low tax does not mean no filings
Seychelles international business companies were often described as tax-free, but Seychelles has amended its law to add an economic substance test, and a company must keep accounting records, prepare an annual financial summary and file its register of directors. Shareholders should also check the controlled foreign company (CFC) rules in their home country.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business tax | 15% on the first SCR 1 million, 25% above that | The general company rate published by the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), for annual turnover above SCR 1 million. Seychelles has historically taxed only Seychelles-source income. |
| Foreign passive income | Economic substance test applies | The SRC states that from September 16, 2021, passive income that covered companies earn from non-residents is subject to an economic substance test and is no longer automatically treated as non-Seychelles income. |
| VAT | Standard rate 15% | Applies to sales of taxable goods or services in Seychelles. Registration is mandatory once taxable sales reach SCR 2 million. An IBC that does not operate locally is usually not affected. |
| Withholding tax | 15% on payments to non-residents | The SRC states that dividends, interest, royalties and similar payments to non-residents are subject to 15% withholding. Ask an accountant whether this applies to your IBC based on its actual structure. |
| Accounting records and annual financial summary | Kept 7 years, prepared within 6 months | Under sections 174 and 175, a company must keep reliable accounting records for at least 7 years and prepare an annual financial summary within 6 months after the financial year end, kept at its registered office in Seychelles. If the records are kept abroad, they must be sent to the registered office at least twice a year. The maximum penalty is US$10,000. |
| Register of directors and beneficial owners | Filed with the Registrar within 30 days | Under section 152, the register of directors must be filed with the Registrar within 30 days after the first directors are appointed, and updated within 30 days of any change. A register of beneficial owners must also be kept under the Beneficial Ownership Act, 2020. |
| Home-country CFC rules | Depends on the shareholders' country | Seychelles is a low-tax jurisdiction. If companies or individuals in your home country directly or indirectly control a Seychelles company, CFC rules there may require its profits to be included in their taxable income. |
Tax rates follow notices from the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC). Ask an accountant to assess your actual structure.
Seychelles, BVI or Belize company: which should you choose?
A Seychelles offshore company is one of the lower-cost offshore options. The table below compares three structures founders often consider on a few key points.
| Item | Seychelles international business company (IBC) | BVI business company (BC) | Belize company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Registrar of Companies, Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) | Registry of Corporate Affairs, BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) | Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) |
| Government setup fee | US$130 | From US$450 | From US$150 (through an agent) |
| Government annual fee | US$140 | From US$450 | Annual return renewal from US$250 |
| Directors | At least 1 | At least 1, can be a company | Under the Belize Companies Act, 2022 |
| Annual accounting requirements | Annual financial summary prepared within 6 months and kept at the registered office | Annual financial return filed with the registered agent within 9 months | Annual return and beneficial ownership updates |
BVI and Belize figures come from notices by their regulators. Choose based on your shareholders' background, where you collect and make payments, and your tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about a Seychelles offshore company
- Foreigners can own 100%: a Seychelles international business company needs only 1 director (section 130), and shareholders and directors can be foreigners, so a foreign founder can own 100% of the company.
- A registered agent is required: under sections 9 and 164, the application can only be filed by the proposed registered agent, and the company must have a registered agent in Seychelles at all times.
- Some businesses are not allowed: under section 5, an international business company may not carry on banking business, and may not carry on insurance, corporate services or trust services without a license.
- Bank account opening is the biggest hurdle: international banks run strict KYC checks on offshore companies. Prepare a business description, contracts or invoices, and source of funds and beneficial ownership documents.
- Home-country CFC rules: if companies or individuals in your home country directly or indirectly control a company in a low-tax jurisdiction, check whether CFC rules there require the company's profits to be included in their taxable income.
Further reading
Sources: Seychelles FSA: International Business Companies Act, 2016, consolidated (sections 5, 9, 12, 130, 152, 164, 174 and 175 and Schedule 2); FSA fee schedule; Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC): tax system overview; FSA legislation list (including the Beneficial Ownership Act, 2020). The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does it take to set up a company in Seychelles?
The time to set up a Seychelles company depends on the name check, KYC documents, preparation of the Memorandum and Articles and the Registrar’s review. Once the documents are complete, the registered agent files the application. Regulated businesses or protected cell companies need FSA consent first, which can take longer. Before we start, we give you the actual process and timeline for your structure.
What documents do I need to register a company in Seychelles?
To set up a Seychelles company, you usually need to prepare the following first:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. The Seychelles company name, entity type and registered address arrangement
- 4. A description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in Seychelles in person to set up a company?
Most steps to set up a Seychelles company can be completed remotely, with documents prepared and signed under authorization and a local agent’s support, so you do not always need to be there in person. However, bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Seychelles company have after incorporation?
- 1. Business tax and the economic substance test for foreign passive income (under Seychelles Revenue Commission rules)
- 2. Annual filings, company registration upkeep, registered agent or secretarial services
- 3. Accounting records, audit, and economic substance or beneficial ownership maintenance
For a Seychelles company, the main ongoing items are renewing the registered agent, the US$140 annual fee, keeping accounting records and the annual financial summary, updating the register of directors and beneficial owner information, and a review of CFC rules in the shareholders’ home countries. We can help plan bookkeeping, filings and an annual maintenance schedule for your business model.
What businesses and structures suit a Seychelles company?
Who can help me register a company in Seychelles?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group provides one-stop support from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance for your Seychelles company, reducing the uncertainty of cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Seychelles entity type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website build, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border business support
We arrange your Seychelles company setup, maintenance and ongoing support around your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.