Three vehicles, very different
Company Formation & Registration in Seychelles
Seychelles offers three distinct company types. The International Business Company is the best known and the most misunderstood.
GCC business setup specialists
The IBC is not what it was
Seychelles reformed its International Business Company regime: the old blanket exemption was replaced by a territorial basis, accounting records must now be kept in Seychelles, and beneficial ownership is registered. An IBC remains useful, but anyone selling it as a no-compliance vehicle is describing a regime that no longer exists.
- Vehicle matched to what you actually need
- Current compliance obligations stated, not the old pitch
- Licensed registered agent engagement co-ordinated
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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Choose the vehicle
The Seychelles company types
Tax treatment and permitted activity differ sharply.
| Type | Tax position | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| International Business Company | Territorial basis; foreign-source income outside the charge | Holding, cross-border trading and services |
| Domestic company | Business tax on Seychelles-source income | Trading within Seychelles |
| Special Licence Company | Resident and taxed at a low fixed rate | Structures needing treaty access |
| Limited partnership | Depends on the structure | Funds and joint ventures |
| Protected cell company | Per the licence | Segregated fund and insurance structures |
| Foundation | A separate legal concept | Succession and asset holding |
Company types, the territorial basis and compliance obligations are set by statute and have changed significantly. Yours is confirmed against current law. An International Business Company must at all times have a registered agent licensed by the Financial Services Authority. That is a statutory requirement in Seychelles, not a commercial preference. We co-ordinate your engagement with a licensed Seychelles registered agent and manage the process end to end; the regulated filings are made by them.
How it works
Incorporating in Seychelles
Due diligence, then the filing.
01
Choose the vehicle
Whether an International Business Company, domestic company or Special Licence Company fits, and what each obliges you to do annually.
02
Due diligence and incorporation
Documents provided to the licensed registered agent, name reserved and the company incorporated with the Registrar.
03
Set up compliance
Registers established, beneficial ownership recorded, accounting arrangements put in place and the annual calendar set.
- Three proposed company names
- Intended activity and markets
- Whether any business will be done in Seychelles
- Certified passport copy for each party
- Certified proof of residential address
- Bank or professional reference
- Documented source of funds
- Ownership chart to beneficial owners
- Proposed directors and shareholders
- Whether treaty access matters to you
- Financial year end preference
- Whether a licensable activity is involved
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Vehicle recommendation with annual obligations stated
- Name reservation
- Licensed registered agent engagement co-ordinated
- Constitution and incorporation documents
- Incorporation with the Registrar
- Registers and beneficial ownership records
- Accounting record arrangements in Seychelles
- Annual compliance calendar
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and agent fees, paid at cost
- Registered agent annual fees, quoted separately
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed registered agent
- Financial services licensing
- Bank account opening decisions
- Accounts preparation, quoted separately
- Audit where required
- Tax advice in your home country
Verify independently
Official Seychelles authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Financial Services AuthorityRegistrar of CompaniesSeychelles Revenue CommissionSeychelles Licensing AuthorityMinistry of InvestmentSeychelles Pension Fund
Questions
Seychelles company formation — FAQs
Is a Seychelles IBC tax free?
It is taxed on a territorial basis, so foreign-source income falls outside the charge. That is not the same as having no obligations, and your home country may still tax you.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes, and it must be licensed by the Financial Services Authority. This is statutory, and the agent makes the regulated filings.
Must accounting records be kept in Seychelles?
Yes. Following the amendments, accounting records must be kept at the registered office in Seychelles, with a financial summary provided annually. This caught many older companies out.
What is a Special Licence Company?
A resident company taxed at a low fixed rate with access to the treaty network, licensed by the Financial Services Authority. It carries more obligations than an IBC.
Can an IBC trade inside Seychelles?
Only within limits set by statute. A business trading locally generally needs a domestic company and a trade licence.
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