Holding, with eyes open
Holding Company & Investment Structures in Seychelles
Seychelles is widely used for holding. Where it is weak is treaty access, and that matters more than the brochures admit.
GCC business setup specialists
An IBC is not a treaty vehicle
An International Business Company is a serviceable holding vehicle on a territorial basis, but it is not a treaty platform. Where treaty access genuinely matters, a Special Licence Company is the Seychelles answer, with substantially more cost and compliance. Choosing the wrong one is the usual mistake.
- Vehicle matched to whether treaty access matters
- Compliance and cost difference stated honestly
- Banking and acceptance realities raised early
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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.
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Companies successfully established.
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The options
Ways to hold from Seychelles
Treaty access is the dividing question.
| Structure | What it suits | Treaty access |
|---|---|---|
| International Business Company | Holding without treaty reliance | No |
| Special Licence Company | Structures needing treaty access | Resident, with access subject to conditions |
| Domestic company | Holding Seychelles assets | Resident, local focus |
| Limited partnership | Funds and joint ventures | Depends on the structure |
| Protected cell company | Segregated portfolios | Per the licence |
| Foundation | Succession and asset protection | A different legal concept |
Treaty access depends on residence, substance and conditions applied in the counterparty country, and is subject to international scrutiny. 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. 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
Setting the structure up
The destination decides whether Seychelles helps.
01
Purpose and destination
What the structure will hold, where the investments are, and whether treaty access is genuinely relevant.
02
Choose the vehicle
IBC where treaties do not matter, Special Licence Company where they do, with the cost and compliance difference set out.
03
Incorporate and hold
Company incorporated, registers and beneficial ownership established, accounting arrangements set and holdings transferred in.
Before you start
What we need
Structuring on an assumption about treaties is how this goes wrong.
- What the structure will hold
- Where the investments are located
- Whether treaty benefits are being relied on
- Existing group structure chart
- Certified identity documents for controllers
- Documented source of wealth and funds
- Expected income and dividend flows
- Whether the holdings generate local income
- Existing shareholder agreements
- Advice already received in the destination country
- Banking requirements
- Timeline and what is driving it
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 against the destination
- Honest view on treaty access
- Licensed registered agent engagement co-ordinated
- Incorporation and licensing where applicable
- Registers and beneficial ownership records
- Accounting record arrangements in Seychelles
- Share transfer documentation
- Annual compliance calendar
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and agent fees, paid at cost
- Special Licence Company licence fees
- Tax advice in the destination country
- Formal opinions on treaty positions
- Audit where required
- Valuations
- Bank account opening decisions
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed registered agent
Verify independently
Official Seychelles authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Financial Services AuthorityRegistrar of CompaniesSeychelles Revenue CommissionSeychelles Licensing AuthorityMinistry of InvestmentRegistration Division
Questions
Seychelles holding structures — FAQs
Can an IBC use Seychelles treaties?
No. An International Business Company is not a treaty vehicle. If treaty access matters, the Special Licence Company is the route, with far more compliance.
Is a Special Licence Company worth it?
Only where treaty access genuinely changes your outcome. It carries licensing, audit and higher cost, so it has to earn its place.
Is Seychelles accepted internationally?
It is a recognised jurisdiction, but structures here attract scrutiny from banks and tax authorities. Simple, explainable arrangements fare better.
What compliance does a holding IBC have?
Annual government and agent fees, accounting records kept in Seychelles, an annual financial summary and beneficial ownership filings.
Do I need advice in the destination country?
Where treaty benefits or local tax matter, yes. We co-ordinate rather than opine on another country’s law.
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