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Indian Ocean offshore jurisdiction with IBCs and CSL companies
Region
AFRICA
Corporate Tax
0%
Setup Time
1 weeks
Currency
SCR
Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago, has developed substantial offshore company registration. The jurisdiction's efficient processes support straightforward business setup for international structures.
With a population of 100,000, Seychelles offers tropical island living with resort character. English, French, and Seychellois Creole are official. The tropical climate is warm year-round.
Healthcare is limited, with serious cases requiring evacuation. Safety is good with low crime. The cost of living is high due to import dependence.
The pristine beaches and natural environment define the lifestyle appeal.
International Business Companies pay no tax on foreign-sourced income. No capital gains tax or withholding tax applies to IBCs. Domestic companies face 25-30% corporate tax.
The Seychelles rupee is local currency. The economy depends on tourism and fisheries alongside financial services.
Company registration for IBCs through the Financial Services Authority is efficient. Requirements include one shareholder and one director minimum. Corporate directors are permitted.
Company formation completes within 24-48 hours. No minimum capital requirements apply. Bearer shares are no longer available. Annual fees apply.
Seychelles Financial Services Authority has not established comprehensive crypto license frameworks. Some crypto projects have used Seychelles IBCs, though without specific regulation.
The Seychelles Licensing Authority has issued some gambling licenses. The framework is less developed than major jurisdictions.
Banking access is extremely challenging for Seychelles IBCs. International correspondent relationships are difficult. The jurisdiction suits specific purposes rather than operational businesses.
Professional services are available for corporate formation.
Seychelles suits simple holding structures and asset protection arrangements for their business setup.
Local: Ltd
Local: IBC
Local: Foundation
Local: Trust
| Corporate Tax Rate | 0% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 0% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 15% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% |
| Withholding Tax | 15% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | Yes |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | MEDIUM |
| Financial Privacy | HIGH |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | Yes |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $100,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF Travel Rule |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan with risk assessment, technology stack description, AML/CFT frameworks, and cybersecurity policies required |
| Personnel Required | Minimum 2 directors (1 must be Seychelles resident), local MLRO, Compliance Officer, CEO with relevant experience |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | No |
| Registry Access | Not publicly accessible; available only to FSA and authorized bodies |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | Yes |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Financial Services Authority (FSA) |
| Licensing Fee | $75,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee: SCR 75,000 (~USD 5,750). Registration fee: SCR 22,500 (~USD 1,700). Annual fees by license type: Wallet Provider SCR 300,000 (~USD 23,000), Exchange SCR 300,000 (~USD 23,000) |
| Permitted Business Models | Virtual Asset Wallet Provider, Virtual Asset Exchange, Virtual Asset Broking, Virtual Asset Investment Provider |
| Permitted Activities | Custodial and non-custodial wallet services, crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange, brokerage services, portfolio management, ICO/NFT registration, investment advisory |
| Restricted Activities | Mining facilities, mixers/tumblers, validator services. Use of terms like 'blockchain', 'cryptocurrency', 'exchange', 'ICO', 'NFT', 'Web3' in business name without license is prohibited |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Derivatives Allowed | No |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | No |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $75,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan outlining games, payout ratios, system architecture, and payment systems |
| Personnel Required | Local resident manager, qualified staff for operations |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | No |
| Registry Access | Accessible only to FSA |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | No |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | No |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | Yes |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Financial Services Authority (FSA) |
| Licensing Fee | $30,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Bank deposit or bank guarantee: EUR 30,000 required as guarantee for fees and winnings. Administrative fees apply. Interactive Gaming License (online casino) requires servers located in Seychelles and certified gaming software. |
| Permitted Business Models | B2C, B2B |
| Permitted Activities | Online casino, poker rooms, sportsbooks, slot machines, land-based casinos, interactive gaming |
| Restricted Activities | Gambling with Seychelles residents for IBCs |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $100,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan with financial projections, compliance framework, and operational procedures |
| Personnel Required | Minimum 2 full-time personnel in Seychelles, at least one FSA-licensed Securities Dealer Representative, qualified Compliance Officer |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance mandatory |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | No |
| Registry Access | FSA maintains register of licensed entities; full details not publicly searchable |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | Yes |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Financial Services Authority (FSA) for securities, Central Bank of Seychelles for banking |
| Licensing Fee | $1,250 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Securities Dealer License application fee: USD 1,250. Annual supervision fees apply. Banking license requires minimum paid-up capital of USD 2,000,000 and 12% capital adequacy ratio. |
| Permitted Business Models | Securities Dealer, Investment Advisor, Fund Management |
| Permitted Activities | Securities dealing as principal or agent, investment advisory, portfolio management, forex trading, CFD trading (including crypto CFDs) |
| Restricted Activities | Banking without Central Bank license, insurance without FSA insurance license, spot cryptocurrency trading (requires VASP license) |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |