I
Seychelles

Seychelles

Company Formation in Seychelles

Seychelles

Formation Time
1 business day
Min. Capital
No minimum
Corporate Tax
0% (IBC on foreign income)
Foreign Ownership
100%

Overview

Seychelles is one of the fastest and most cost-effective offshore jurisdictions in the world, consistently competing with BVI for volume of International Business Company (IBC) registrations. An IBC can be formed in as little as one business day with minimal documentation, making Seychelles the go-to choice for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking a straightforward, low-cost offshore structure. Under the International Business Companies Act 2016, a Seychelles IBC pays 0% tax on all income derived from outside Seychelles — there is no corporate tax, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax, and no stamp duty on foreign-sourced activities. The Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulates international business and maintains compliance with evolving international standards including beneficial ownership reporting and AML/CFT requirements. Additionally, the Company Special Licence (CSL) structure provides an alternative for businesses that require tax residency and access to Seychelles' 33 double taxation agreements — the CSL is taxed at just 1.5% on worldwide income. Seychelles' legal system is based on English common law (commercial matters) and French civil code (property and family law), with the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal providing a reliable judicial framework. Located in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles sits strategically between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with its currency (SCR) used domestically while all international business is typically conducted in USD, EUR, or GBP. The jurisdiction requires minimal ongoing compliance for IBCs — no annual audit, no requirement to file accounts publicly, and a simple annual licence renewal.

1-day formation
0% tax on foreign income
Ultra-low cost
No annual audit
CSL: 1.5% with 33 DTAs
Simple compliance

Why Choose Seychelles

1

1-day IBC formation — one of the world's fastest

2

0% tax on all foreign-sourced income for IBCs

3

Ultra-low cost — from USD 1,000 total for formation

4

No annual audit, no public filing of accounts

5

Company Special Licence (CSL) — 1.5% tax with DTA access to 33 treaties

6

No minimum capital requirement

7

Minimal ongoing compliance — annual licence renewal only

8

Bearer shares prohibited (transparency compliant)

Business Entity Types

EntityOwnershipDirectorsCapitalTaxBest For
International Business Company (IBC)100%1 (any nationality)No minimum (standard authorised capital USD 100,000)0% on all income sourced outside SeychellesInternational trading, e-commerce, consulting, holding (non-treaty), IP
Company Special Licence (CSL)100%1 (at least 1 Seychelles-resident preferred for substance)No minimum1.5% on worldwide income — eligible for DTA benefitsHolding structures requiring DTA access, Africa/Asia investment
Special Licence Company (domestic)100% (with CSL endorsement)1SCR 25,0001.5% — tax-resident, DTA-eligibleSeychelles-resident operations with international reach
Limited Partnership100%N/ANoneTransparent — follows IBC or CSL treatment depending on registrationInvestment funds, joint ventures

Step-by-Step Formation Process

1

KYC & Document Submission

Same day

Submit passport copy, proof of address, and business description to Seychelles registered agent. KYC for IBCs is streamlined.

2

Name Reservation

Same day

Check name availability with the Seychelles Registrar of IBCs and reserve company name.

3

Incorporation

1 day

File Memorandum and Articles of Association with the Registrar. Certificate of Incorporation issued.

4

Post-Incorporation

Same day

Issue share certificates, appoint directors, receive full corporate kit (CoI, M&A, share certificates, register of directors).

5

Bank Account Opening

4–12 weeks

Open corporate bank account — typically in a third-party jurisdiction as Seychelles local banking for IBCs is limited.

Costs & Fees

Government / License FeeUSD 100+
Our Service FeeUSD 1,000+
Annual RenewalUSD 900+

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

Seychelles IBCs face banking challenges similar to BVI entities — local banks (BMI, Nouvobanq, SCB Seychelles) are limited in their appetite for IBC accounts. Most Seychelles IBC owners open accounts in Mauritius, Singapore, Hong Kong, or the UAE. CSL companies have better access to local banking. Our banking introduction service is strongly recommended.

Account Opening Time
4–12 weeks (traditional bank); 1–2 weeks (EMI)
Multi-Currency
Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Mauritius banks (AfrAsia, Bank One, MCB)Singapore banks (DBS, OCBC — via introduction)Hong Kong banks (HSBC HK — via introduction)UAE banks (ENBD, RAKBank — via introduction)EMIs (Wise Business, Payoneer, Mercury)

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax
0% for IBCs (foreign income); 1.5% for CSL companies; 25%/33% for domestic companies
Personal Income Tax
0% for non-residents; 15% for Seychelles tax residents
VAT / Sales Tax
15% (applies to local business only — IBCs conducting business outside Seychelles are exempt)
Capital Gains Tax
0%
Withholding Tax
0% for IBCs; 15% on dividends/interest for CSL (reduced by DTAs)
Double Tax Treaties
33 countries

IBCs are completely exempt from Seychelles tax on foreign income and have no access to DTAs. The CSL structure provides DTA access at a 1.5% rate but requires substance in Seychelles. The 33 DTAs make the CSL attractive for Asia and Africa investment structuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can I form a Seychelles IBC?
A Seychelles IBC can be formed in as little as 1 business day from receipt of all KYC documents. This makes it one of the fastest offshore formations in the world. The process involves name reservation, filing the M&A with the Registrar, and receiving the Certificate of Incorporation — all of which can be completed within a single working day.
What is the difference between an IBC and a CSL?
An IBC is the classic offshore vehicle: 0% tax on foreign income, no audit, minimal compliance, but no access to Seychelles' DTAs. A CSL is a tax-resident structure: 1.5% tax on worldwide income, requires annual audit, but can access Seychelles' 33 DTAs. Choose IBC for simple international operations; choose CSL if you need treaty benefits for investments into countries like China, South Africa, or the UAE.
Where do I open a bank account for a Seychelles IBC?
Local Seychelles banking for IBCs is very limited. Most clients open accounts in Mauritius (AfrAsia, Bank One), Singapore, Hong Kong, or the UAE. Electronic Money Institutions like Wise Business and Payoneer offer faster remote account opening. We provide banking introduction services with high success rates in Mauritius and Singapore.
Is Seychelles on any blacklists?
Seychelles was placed on the FATF grey list in 2020 and subsequently removed in 2022 after implementing reforms in AML/CFT, beneficial ownership transparency, and tax cooperation. As of 2025, Seychelles is not on the FATF or EU blacklist. The jurisdiction continues to strengthen its compliance framework.
Do I need to file annual accounts for an IBC?
No. Seychelles IBCs are not required to file annual accounts publicly or submit them to any authority. However, IBCs must maintain accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions. These records can be kept anywhere in the world. CSL companies, by contrast, must file audited annual accounts.
Can a Seychelles IBC own property or assets globally?
Yes. A Seychelles IBC can own shares, real estate, intellectual property, bank accounts, and other assets in virtually any jurisdiction worldwide. However, owning property in Seychelles itself is restricted for IBCs. The IBC's ability to hold foreign assets without triggering Seychelles tax is a key advantage of the structure.