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Seychelles company help: answers by topic

24 answers for owners and founders of a Seychelles company, from ordering to banking, annual compliance and what happens after incorporation. General information, not legal or tax advice; your specialist confirms how it applies to you.

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Getting started

What does the Seychelles registered agent need from me?

A passport copy and a recent proof of address for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner, a short business description, a source-of-funds statement and a CRS tax residency self-certification. Each director's usual residential address is also needed, because it goes on the register of directors filed with the Registrar. Upload everything in the client portal after checkout.

What must a Seychelles IBC name end with?

A word or abbreviation that shows limited liability, such as Limited, Ltd, Corporation, Corp, Incorporated or Inc, or a foreign equivalent the Act allows. The name cannot match an existing company, and words suggesting banking, insurance or trust business need a licence or consent (confirm with your specialist). We check up to three names before filing.

Source: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles

Can Seychelles company documents be apostilled?

Yes. Seychelles has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1979, so apostilled Seychelles documents are accepted in other member countries without consular legalisation. Banks and EMIs often ask for an apostilled certificate of incorporation and a recent certificate of incumbency or good standing.

Certification and apostille

Source: Status table: Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)

How long does it take?

1–2 business days after we approve your know-your-customer (KYC) documents. The registered agent files the incorporation with the Financial Services Authority's registry once the file is complete.

Do I need to travel to Seychelles?

No. The registered agent files everything and KYC is remote. You do not need to visit Seychelles to form or run an IBC.

Who can see who owns and runs my IBC?

Not the public. The register of directors is filed with the Registrar, which may disclose it only in four cases. These are a court order, enforcement of a law, the registered agent, or a third party that the agent or a director authorises. Beneficial owners are recorded under the Beneficial Ownership Act 2020 and are available to the competent authorities.

What if my Seychelles IBC starts doing business in Seychelles?

It must register with the Seychelles Revenue Commission within 28 days of starting to trade and file a business tax return each year, even with no tax to pay. Seychelles-source income is taxed at 15% on the first SCR 1,000,000 of taxable income and 25% above (confirm your position with your specialist).

Source: Seychelles tax system (territorial basis, business tax rates), Seychelles Revenue Commission

Is Seychelles on the FATF or EU lists?

Not as of September 2026. Seychelles is not on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (June 2026 update) or the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (February 2026 update). We check both lists again in February, June, October and December.

Can I transfer my existing Seychelles IBC to you?

Yes. A change of registered agent is filed with the registry once the new agent completes its due diligence. Timing depends on the current agent releasing the company's records, and we tell you what it must release.

What happens if my application is refused?

If we cannot incorporate your company, we refund the service fee (minus courier costs). We check your documents before filing so problems surface early.

Pricing & payment

How much does a Seychelles IBC cost?

Starter is US$999 all-in for year 1, including the government fee, the registered agent and the registered office. Growth is US$2,399 and adds an introduction to a bank or electronic money institution (EMI, a licensed payment-account provider) and mail scanning. Premium is US$3,999 and adds director and shareholder services (disclosed to the registered agent and authorities), bookkeeping and the year-2 filing.

What does it cost from year 2?

From US$1,190 a year on Starter. That covers the US$140 annual government fee, the registered agent and office, and the annual financial summary where one is required. We show it on your quote before you pay.

Are there hidden fees?

No, but a late annual fee costs extra, so we send reminders ahead of the date. The annual government fee is due by each anniversary of incorporation, and paying late adds 10% within 90 days and 50% after that. Apostilled documents for banks are an optional extra, priced before you pay.

What happens if a Seychelles IBC's fee stays unpaid?

Penalties of 10% and then 50% are added, and a company that stays unpaid can be struck off, which stops it acting and can freeze its account. Restoration is possible for a limited period by paying the arrears and penalties (confirm the current window with your specialist). A company you no longer need is cheaper to close on purpose.

Company strike-off

Source: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles

Banking

Which institutions usually open accounts for Seychelles IBCs?

Mostly electronic money institutions (EMIs) and selected banks outside Seychelles, in the regions where you trade. Seychelles had no FATF or EU-list flag at our September 2026 review, but enhanced checks are still common for IBCs. We pre-screen your profile before you pay; the institution decides.

Business account support

What should a Seychelles IBC prepare for an EMI or bank?

The certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, register of directors, register of members and a recent certificate of incumbency, plus the owners' identity documents. Add a website or product listing, a few contracts or invoices and a clear note on where the first funds come from. EMIs often decide faster when the business model is easy to see.

Compliance

Does a Seychelles IBC pay tax?

Seychelles taxes only income sourced in Seychelles, with one exception added in 2021. Since 16 September 2021, passive income such as dividends, interest and royalties received from non-residents is exempt only if the company meets an economic substance test (SRC). Whether the test reaches your company depends on its activity (confirm with your specialist), and you may still owe tax where you or the company are resident.

Is an audit required?

No. The IBC Act requires accounting records, not an audit. Every IBC except a holding company that is not a large company prepares an annual financial summary and keeps it at the registered office within 6 months of year end. If accounting records are kept abroad, they are lodged at the registered office at least twice a year.

Who handles my file?

One IBC Limited, the Hong Kong Trust or Company Service Provider behind OCC (licence TC001305), handles your file and works with a licensed local registered agent for the filing. You upload documents and follow each step in your client portal, and we reply to messages within 1 business day.

After incorporation

When should I pay the Seychelles renewal?

Before each anniversary of incorporation, when the government fee falls due. We send the invoice ahead of that date; pay by card, PayPal or wire in the client portal or on Renew & pay. With a wire, allow a few days so the fee reaches the agent in time.

Renew & pay

How quickly must beneficial owner changes be reported in Seychelles?

A beneficial owner must tell the company about a change within 14 days, and the company updates its register of beneficial owners, kept through its resident agent. The information is available to the competent authorities, not the public. Tell us before a share transfer so the new owner's KYC is ready.

Corporate changes

Source: Beneficial ownership (Act 2020, regulations and amendments to 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles

Can't find it? Ask a Seychelles specialist, reply within 1 business day.

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