Company formation in Seychelles: a flexible structure for international business and asset ownership
- 1–3 days
- no minimum capital
- free 30-minute consultation
- 1–3 days
- no minimum capital
- free 30-minute consultation
Facts about forming a companies in Seychelles
Legal entity type
An International Business Company (IBC) is an international company with limited shareholder liability, commonly used for business activities and asset ownership.
Minimum share capital
The law does not prescribe a mandatory minimum paid-up capital. The amount and currency of the capital are set by the company’s corporate documents.
Formation timeframe
Approximately 1–3 business days for a standard structure after KYC and document approval. Apostille, document certification or a complex ownership structure will extend the timeframe.
Corporate income tax
Seychelles applies the territorial principle. The rate is 15% on the first SCR 1 million of taxable profit and 25% on the amount above SCR 1 million. The taxation of foreign income depends on its type and the company’s structure.
VAT
The standard VAT rate is 15%. Mandatory registration arises when taxable supplies reach SCR 2 million. An international company that does not make taxable supplies in Seychelles is not required to register for VAT.
Personal presence in the country
Not required for standard IBC formation. Documents and KYC are handled remotely through a licensed registered agent.
Languages used for documentation
The main working language of corporate documents is English. For documents in Ukrainian or other languages, the registered agent, bank or another institution may require a translation.
Accounting and reporting
An IBC must keep accounting records and retain documents for at least 7 years. Large and operating companies are also required to prepare annual financial statements.
Why entrepreneurs choose Seychelles for company formation
An international business company in Seychelles can be incorporated and subsequently administered without the owner's permanent presence in the country. A standard structure requires only one director and one shareholder, both of whom may be non-residents. Formation is handled through a licensed registered agent, who also provides the mandatory registered office in Seychelles. This structure enables international operations without opening an operational office in the country, unless the actual business model requires one.
The International Business Companies Act does not prescribe a minimum amount that the owner must actually contribute to the share capital when the company is formed. The amount and structure of share capital are determined according to the future business's needs. At the same time, nominal capital does not remove the need to prove the lawful origin of funds. The registered agent, bank or payment institution may separately request documents confirming the source of funds and the owner's source of wealth.
A company may have one or more directors and shareholders of different nationalities. There is no general requirement to appoint a local director solely to form a standard IBC. Meetings may be held outside Seychelles. However, the place where key decisions about the company's activities are actually made is important, as this may determine its tax obligations in another country.
An international business company in Seychelles may be used to hold corporate rights, certain investments and other assets, provided the structure complies with the laws of the countries where those assets are located. Financial reporting requirements for small holding companies may differ from those for operating companies. However, the duty to keep accounting records and retain the relevant documents remains. If the company owns intellectual property, investment or financial assets, the tax implications, economic substance requirements and need for special licences must also be assessed.
Information about the beneficial owner of a Seychelles IBC is not publicly available for unrestricted access. However, the company must identify its UBO, and the relevant information may be provided to authorised public authorities in cases prescribed by law. Banks, registered agents and other financial institutions conduct checks under KYC/AML procedures.
The Seychelles tax system is based on taxation of income sourced in the country. However, legislative changes have made the rules for certain types of income received outside Seychelles more complex. Economic substance requirements must be considered for certain categories of passive foreign income and companies within international groups. Therefore, low or zero local taxation of certain income depends on the specific structure and nature of the company's activities and is not an automatic advantage of every International Business Company (IBC).
Company formation in Seychelles — who this solution is for
Companies engaged in international trade
An international business company may be used to enter into contracts with suppliers and buyers in different countries, provided banks and counterparties work with companies incorporated in Seychelles. Before formation, it is important to assess the geography of payments, settlement currencies and the requirements of future partners.
Owners of holding and investment structures
A Seychelles company may hold interests in other legal entities or certain investment assets. Before creating such a structure, you should assess the tax consequences in the countries where the assets are located, the taxation of dividends and the requirements for disclosing ultimate beneficial owners.
Companies providing international services
An international business company may be used for consulting or service activities with clients in different countries. Before formation, it is important to assess where the team actually works and where key management decisions are made, as this may affect the company’s tax obligations.
IT and digital businesses with international clients
Seychelles may be an appropriate jurisdiction for certain IT and digital business models. However, if the business relies on international payment services, marketplaces or advertising platforms, their requirements regarding the company’s country of incorporation should be checked before it is formed.
Companies managing international investments
An international business company may be used to hold investment assets provided its activities are not regulated. Managing third-party funds or providing investment or financial services may require the relevant licence.
International groups of companies
A Seychelles company may perform a specific function within an international corporate structure, such as holding certain assets or serving particular markets. In such a model, transfer pricing rules, economic substance requirements, the company’s tax residence and banks’ requirements for evidence of the economic purpose of its activities should be assessed in advance.
When company formation in Seychelles may be not the best solution
If you need an account with a European bank
Some European banks apply enhanced due diligence to Seychelles companies or may refuse to open an account. If European banking is a key priority, EU jurisdictions should also be considered.
If the core business is concentrated in the EU
For companies working mainly with clients and partners in the EU, a European jurisdiction is often more familiar to banks and counterparties and creates fewer operational constraints.
If the business depends on international services
Marketplaces, payment services and advertising platforms have their own requirements for a company's country of incorporation. Before choosing a jurisdiction, check whether they support Seychelles companies.
If you plan to operate in a regulated sector
An ordinary international business company does not authorise the provision of financial, investment, insurance, banking, gambling or certain cryptocurrency services. The relevant licence is required for such activities.
How the formation process works companies in Seychelles
We analyse the business model
During the consultation, we determine what the company will do, where its clients, team and owners are located, and which banks and payment systems will be used. KRYNO checks whether Seychelles meets your operational and tax objectives and whether an IBC could create unnecessary difficulties with banking or counterparties.
We design the company structure
We identify the shareholders, directors, ultimate beneficial owners and future activities. We also check whether the business falls within financial services, securities, insurance, gambling, virtual assets or another sector requiring a licence.
We check the name
Before filing the documents, we check the availability of the corporate name and its compliance with the IBC Act. Restrictions may apply to certain words that could imply banking, insurance, government or other regulated activities.
We prepare KYC and documents
The client must provide documents confirming identity, address, ownership structure, activities and source of funds. KRYNO reviews the package before it is sent to the registered agent and assists with translations, notarisation or apostille where required.
We incorporate the company through a registered agent
An international business company must have a licensed registered agent and an official registered office in Seychelles. The registered agent deals with the public registry, provides the company's registered office and keeps the corporate and accounting records required by law.
We obtain the corporate documents
After incorporation, the company receives a certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents and other corporate documents for the chosen structure. Where necessary, we help obtain certified copies or an apostille for a bank, counterparty or other institution.
We open a corporate account
Taking into account the type of activity, payment geography and expected turnover, we select a bank or payment institution that works with companies incorporated in Seychelles. The financial institution conducts its own KYC/AML checks and decides whether to open the account, so company formation does not guarantee automatic account opening.
We provide ongoing company administration
After incorporation, we help fulfil annual corporate obligations: renewing registered agent and registered office services, paying annual fees, filing the annual return, keeping accounting records and updating information about ultimate beneficial owners. For large and operating companies, we also oversee the preparation of annual financial statements and compliance with tax and economic substance requirements.
Cost of company formation in Seychelles
The cost of forming a company in Seychelles includes more than the registration fee. The budget is affected by registered agent and registered office services, the ownership and management structure, the complexity of client due diligence, document certification and apostille, account opening, accounting support and annual company administration.
For regulated activities, the cost of obtaining a licence, meeting compliance requirements and maintaining the necessary economic substance must also be considered. It is therefore important to assess both the initial costs and the cost of maintaining the company going forward.
The KRYNO team will calculate the budget after analysing your business model, company structure and planned operations.
For regulated activities, the cost of obtaining a licence, meeting compliance requirements and maintaining the necessary economic substance must also be considered. It is therefore important to assess both the initial costs and the cost of maintaining the company going forward.
The KRYNO team will calculate the budget after analysing your business model, company structure and planned operations.
- Quick response
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- Quick response
- No obligation
- Confidential
Documents required for formation companies in Seychelles
International passport
Required to identify shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners during mandatory KYC/AML checks.
Proof of residential address
A bank statement, utility bill or another document acceptable to the registered agent. The document must have been issued within the last 3 months.
Description of the company's activities
Information about goods or services, the countries of clients and suppliers, expected turnover and future payments. This helps confirm the nature and purpose of the company’s activities.
Proof of source of funds
The registered agent or bank may request documents confirming business income, salary, dividends, asset sales or other lawful sources of funds.
Ownership structure information
A multi-level structure or participation by legal entities requires corporate documents that make it possible to identify the ultimate beneficial owners.
Additional business documents
Contracts, invoices, the company website, the owner’s CV, a business plan or information about key counterparties may be required on request.
Common mistakes when company formation in Seychelles
- Mistake
Choose a jurisdiction based only on low cost
A low registration price does not guarantee access to the right banks and payment systems or smooth dealings with counterparties.
- KRYNO solution
Check the business model before incorporation
The KRYNO team analyses the activities, future payments and counterparty requirements to assess whether Seychelles is right for your business.
- Mistake
Assume taxes will automatically be 0%
Incorporating an IBC in Seychelles does not in itself exempt the company from tax. Obligations depend on the source of income, tax residence and place of effective management.
- KRYNO solution
Calculate the tax model in advance
Before incorporation, we identify the potential tax obligations of the company and its owner, taking into account the structure and future activities.
- Mistake
Look for a bank after incorporating the company
Not all banks and payment institutions work with Seychelles companies. Requirements also depend on the activities, payment geography and ownership structure.
- KRYNO solution
Plan banking in advance
KRYNO assesses available banking and payment solutions before incorporation so their requirements can be reflected in the structure.
- Mistake
Ignore the company's annual obligations
An IBC must keep accounting records, retain documents for at least 7 years and fulfil the annual corporate obligations prescribed by law.
- KRYNO solution
Arrange ongoing administration
KRYNO specialists help monitor corporate deadlines, accounting, reporting and other obligations after the company is incorporated.
- Mistake
Operate without the required licence
- KRYNO solution
Check licensing requirements
Before incorporation, we determine whether the chosen activity requires a special licence and which requirements must be met to carry it out.
- Mistake
Disregard the place of effective management
Incorporating a company in Seychelles does not mean that all its tax obligations will arise there. The place where key management decisions are actually made also matters.
- KRYNO solution
Assess the management structure in advance
Before incorporation, KRYNO analyses where the company will be managed from and the tax consequences this may create in other countries.
- FAQ
Frequently asked questions about formation companies in Seychelles
There is no single price for all structures. It depends on registered agent and registered office services, the ownership structure, KYC checks, document certification, banking support and annual administration. Regulated activities also entail licence and compliance costs. The KRYNO team calculates the full cost after analysing the specific business model.
After KYC, a standard IBC can usually be incorporated within 1–3 business days. A complex ownership structure, additional due diligence, an apostille or special corporate documents may extend this timeframe. Opening a bank account is a separate process and usually takes longer.
No, the personal presence of the owner or director is not required for a standard IBC. Incorporation is handled through a licensed registered agent, and documents can be submitted remotely. Additional procedures may be required by certain banks or for regulated activities.
Simply stopping payment of annual fees is not enough. You must first check obligations to the registered agent, banks, tax authorities and counterparties, then complete the statutory company closure procedure. In certain cases, the FSA may also require evidence that tax obligations have been fulfilled.
Taxation depends on the source and nature of the income. For taxable Seychelles-source income, the general corporate tax rates are 15% on the first SCR 1 million of taxable profit and 25% on the amount above that threshold. For foreign-source income, its type, the company's status and economic substance requirements must be considered. Tax liabilities may also arise in other countries.
No. Incorporation of an IBC and the owner's personal tax residence are different concepts. The owner may remain a tax resident of another country, so both Seychelles law and the tax rules of the owner's country of residence must be considered before incorporation.
Yes, but account opening is not an automatic part of incorporation. The bank or payment institution independently assesses the jurisdiction, company activities, payment geography, source of funds and expected turnover. Some banks may conduct enhanced due diligence or decline to work with Seychelles companies. A banking solution should therefore be selected before incorporation.
Information about the ultimate beneficial owner is not publicly available for unrestricted viewing. However, the registered agent must identify and verify the UBO, and the relevant information may be available to competent authorities in cases prescribed by law. Seychelles also participates in the international exchange of tax information. Confidentiality therefore does not mean anonymity.
Yes. The company must keep accounting records that substantiate its transactions and determine its financial position. Bank statements, invoices, contracts, documents relating to assets and liabilities, and other accounting materials must be retained for at least 7 years.
Requirements depend on the company's size and activities. Large companies with annual turnover above SCR 50 million and small companies engaged in operating rather than solely holding activities must prepare annual financial statements within 6 months after the financial year-end. Different requirements apply to small holding companies, but accounting remains mandatory. The company also files an annual return through its registered agent.
Economic substance means that formal company registration alone may be insufficient for certain structures and types of income. Depending on the company's activities and status, the law may require evidence of genuine economic substance and performance of the core income-generating activities. This is particularly relevant to certain types of passive foreign income and international group structures.
Yes, there is no general prohibition on entering into such contracts. However, counterparties, banks and payment institutions may have their own requirements for working with Seychelles companies. If most of the business is concentrated in the EU or the US, Seychelles should be compared with other jurisdictions that may impose fewer operational constraints.
Ordinary company incorporation may be insufficient for such activities. Virtual asset services and investment, insurance and other financial activities are governed by separate legislation and may require a licence. The regulatory requirements should therefore be identified before choosing the company structure.
Yes, an international business company may be used to hold shares and other assets. For intellectual property, the taxation of income from its use, economic substance requirements and the rules of the countries where the rights are used must be assessed separately. International tax treaties and withholding taxes are also considered for complex holding structures.
Seychelles allows a relatively compact international corporate structure to be created without requiring a full operational presence solely for incorporation. Hong Kong is more often considered for international trade and Asian markets, while Cyprus suits business in the EU. The choice depends on the business model, client geography, banking and the company's place of effective management.
Services you may need after company formation in Seychelles
Opening an account abroad
We select a bank or payment institution based on the jurisdiction, type of activity, payment geography and company due diligence requirements.
Tax residency
We help determine the company’s tax status and account for the place of effective management, operating structure and international tax obligations.
CFC notification
We help determine whether notification of control over a foreign company is required and prepare the necessary documents.
Reporting and auditing of foreign companies
We prepare financial statements and arrange audits in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdiction of incorporation and international standards.
Considering other jurisdictions for your business?
Company formation in the United Kingdom
For international businesses that value a clear corporate structure, the reputation of the UK jurisdiction and the ability to work with foreign counterparties.
Company formation in Georgia
For entrepreneurs planning operational activities who value relatively simple administration and are considering a genuine presence in the country.
Company formation in Estonia
For digital and service businesses that value a European jurisdiction, remote corporate management and working with EU clients.
Considering forming a company in Seychelles? Start with a consultation
- Free consultation on company formation in Seychelles
- Response within 1 hour during business hours
- Support from structure selection and incorporation to banking and ongoing administration
- Free consultation on company formation in Seychelles
- Response within 1 hour during business hours
- Support from structure selection and incorporation to banking and ongoing administration
