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Offshore Company Formation Formalities
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The International Business Company
usually takes the form of a private company limited by shares
and as with most jurisdictions the Seychelles IBC is granted
subject to certain stipulations:
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- The IBC must refrain from
business activities with residents of the Seychelles;
- The IBC must not hold any
interest in Seychelles real property but property may be
leased for office use only;
- Insurance, re-insurance,
Banking or Trust business is permitted only if an appropriate
licence is issued;
- An IBC is strictly prohibited
from undertaking the business of company management or
providing registered facilities for Seychelles-incorporated
companies.
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There are minimal IBC company formation
requirements:
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- The minimum number of
directors and one shareholders required are one; a director
may be a natural person or a body corporate;
- There is no requirement to
appoint a Company Secretary but it is the practice to do so,
Shareholders, directors and officers need not be resident in
the Seychelles and there is no stipulation as to their
nationality;
- There is no minimum capital
requirement but IBC’s are normally incorporated with an
authorized share capital of US$ 5,000 of no par value which is
the maximum for the minimum licence fee;
- The permitted classes of
shares may be either registered or bearer, shares of no par
value, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting
rights and may be issued in any currency;
- A registered office address
must be maintained within the Seychelles and a local resident
appointed as a registered agent;
- There is no requirement to
file accounts but records must be kept to reflect the
financial position;
- Shareholders and directors
meetings need not be held in the Seychelles and can be held by
telephone;
- There is no requirement for
the disclosure of beneficial ownership. The Memorandum and
Articles of Association are the only documents to be held on
the public record.
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There are no domestic Trusts in the
Seychelles; the International Trusts Act 1994 allows for the
creation of International Trusts only. Such Trusts can be
created in writing, by will or by oral declaration; deemed
trusts are admitted, as are those resulting from a decision of
the Court. The settlor must reside outside the Seychelles for
the duration of the trust; at least one trustee must reside in
the jurisdiction, an IBC may be a settler. The trust property
may not include any Seychelles movable or immovable property.
The names of settlors and beneficiaries are confidential under
the Act, unless a Court orders disclosure under the Anti-money
Laundering Act. The standard perpetuity period is 100 years.
An International Trust is exempt from tax in the Seychelles and
a registration fee is payable.
Taxation
In the Seychelles there is no taxation of an individual’s income,
but social security contributions are payable by the employer
and employee at a rate of up to 40% on income which in effect is
an income tax. There are no capital gains taxes, gift, property
or estate taxes. VAT was introduced in 2003.
Business tax is levied on all income received by a sole trader,
partnership, Trust estate or company on profits derived or
deemed to be derived from a source in the Seychelles. IBC’s are
exempted from business tax, stamp duty and withholding tax but
are liable for Social Security contributions of their employees
salaries unless established in the International Trade Zone then
the IBC receives an exemption from this tax. All IBC’s must pay
an annual renewal licence fee to guarantee IBC status.
Dividends, interest and royalties, which mostly bear withholding
tax if paid to non-residents.
Banking
All offshore Banks must be licenced. There are currently five
licensed foreign banks in the Seychelles, and two domestic banks.
All licensed offshore (non-domestic) banks are exempted from
Seychelles taxes and duties for a 20 year period from the date
the licence was granted, although a non-domestic bank may elect
to pay business tax in the Seychelles on its taxable income as
agreed with the Commissioner of Taxes.
Employment Law
The employment market is quite closely regulated, about 88% of
the adult population in the Seychelles is literate and with the
increasingly sophisticated requirements of the international
businesses much employment legislation is to improve the skill
levels and protect the local work-force by restricting the
influx of foreign workers.
Geography, People Language
and Culture
The Seychelles are approximately 445 sq km (177 sq mi) the three
central islands Mahe Praslin and La Digue are granite, while the
outlying islands are coral atolls. The climate is tropical and
subject to marine influences; there is a cooler season from late
May to September and warmer from March to May.
The population is approximately 80,832 (est. July 2004). 90% of
the population inhabit the principal Island of Mahe. The capital
city is Victoria on the island of Mahe and is one of the
smallest capital cities in the world and the only major port in
the Seychelles. There is no indigenous culture in the Seychelles
as such the ethnic groups are mixed; French, African, Indian,
Chinese, and Arab. Seselwa- French/African Creole is the
language of 94% of the people, English and French are commonly
used and English is the language of government and commerce.
The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism which is practiced
by 86% of the population.
The Seychelles has four marine national parks, and more than 150
species of tropical reef fish have been identified. Dolphin and
porpoise are common between the islands, shark and barracuda and
the Seychelles is renowned for game fishing.
Immigration and Residency
Visas are not required for visitors to Seychelles;on production
of as onward ticket, booked accommodation and sufficient funds
for your stay, a one month Visitor's Permit (extendable on
application) will be issued. Short-stay visas are issued freely
on arrival, although evidence of financial support may be
required. For longer stays, it will be necessary to demonstrate
adequate financial resources, or to acquire a Gainful Occupation
Permit.
Legal and Political System
In the 1960’s political parties developed in the Seychelles and
Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution
and free elections in 1993. There are three branches of state:
the Executive, headed by a President who is the chief of state
and head of government and is elected by popular vote for a
5-year term; the Legislative--unicameral National Assembly with
34 seats, 25 directly elected and 9 allocated on a proportional
basis. The Judicial branch includes a Court of Appeal and
Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the
president. The political parties in the Seychelles are the
Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), and
Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF).
The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2
September 2001. President Rene, who has served since 1977, was
re-elected. Seychelles citizens can vote at the age of 17 years.
Economy
The official unit of currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). The
black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official
exchange rate.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy and
accounts for 73% of the GNP. Employment, foreign earnings,
construction, banking, and commerce are all dominated by
tourism-related industries. Industry accounts for 24% which
covers fishing; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut
fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages and
agriculture accounts for 2.4% of GNP.
Legislation relating to
offshore and non-resident business
If you require more information on any particular statute please
contact us.
Civil Aviation Act 1996
Companies Law 1972
Companies (Special Licence) Act, 2003
Financial Institutions Act 1984
Insurance Act 1994
Insurance (Non-Domestic Insurance Business) Regulations 1996
International Business Companies Act 1994
Interactive Gambling Act 2003
International Corporate Service Providers Act 2003
International Trade Zone Act 1995
International Trade Zone Regulations 1995
International Trusts Act 1994
Investment Promotion Act 1994
Limited Partnership Act, 2003
Merchant Shipping Act 1992
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1995
Mutual Funds Act 1997
Protected Cell Companies Act, 2003
Seychelles International Business Authority Act 1994
Companies (Special Licence) Act, 2003
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