12 answers for owners and founders of a Seychelles company, from ordering to banking, annual compliance and what happens after incorporation. General information, not legal or tax advice: your specialist confirms how it applies to you.
A passport copy and a recent proof of address for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner, a short business description, a source-of-funds statement and a CRS tax residency self-certification. Each director's usual residential address is also needed, because it goes on the register of directors filed with the Registrar. Upload everything in the client portal after checkout.
A word or abbreviation that shows limited liability, such as Limited, Ltd, Corporation, Corp, Incorporated or Inc, or a foreign equivalent the Act allows. The name cannot match an existing company, and words suggesting banking, insurance or trust business need a licence or consent (confirm with your specialist). We check up to three names before filing.
Source: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
Yes. Seychelles has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1979, so apostilled Seychelles documents are accepted in other member countries without consular legalisation. Banks and EMIs often ask for an apostilled certificate of incorporation and a recent certificate of incumbency or good standing.
Certification and apostilleSource: Status table: Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) (accessed Sep 2026)
For an ordinary IBC, the part paid to the government is US$140 a year, set in the Second Schedule of the IBC Act; protected cell companies pay more. Everything else in the renewal is the registered agent, the registered office and our work on the financial summary, each shown on its own invoice line.
Source: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Second Schedule, Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
Before each anniversary of incorporation, when the government fee falls due. We send the invoice ahead of that date; pay by card, PayPal or wire in the client portal or on Renew & pay. With a wire, allow a few days so the fee reaches the agent in time.
Mostly electronic money institutions (EMIs) and selected banks outside Seychelles, in the regions where you trade. Seychelles had no FATF or EU-list flag at our September 2026 review, but enhanced checks are still common for IBCs. We pre-screen your profile before you pay; the institution decides.
The certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, register of directors, register of members and a recent certificate of incumbency, plus the owners' identity documents. Add a website or product listing, a few contracts or invoices and a clear note on where the first funds come from. EMIs often decide faster when the business model is easy to see.
Yes. The financial year is the calendar year unless the directors choose a different one and tell the registered agent within 14 days. The annual financial summary is then kept at the registered office within 6 months after that year end, so pick a date that suits your bookkeeping.
Source: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
A beneficial owner must tell the company about a change within 14 days, and the company updates its register of beneficial owners, kept through its resident agent. The information is available to the competent authorities, not the public. Tell us before a share transfer so the new owner's KYC is ready.
Corporate changesSource: Beneficial ownership (Act 2020, regulations and amendments to 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
It must register with the Seychelles Revenue Commission within 28 days of starting to trade and file a business tax return each year, even with no tax to pay. Seychelles-source income is taxed at 15% on the first SCR 1,000,000 of taxable income and 25% above (confirm your position with your specialist).
Source: Seychelles tax system (territorial basis, business tax rates), Seychelles Revenue Commission (accessed Sep 2026)
An updated copy of the register of directors with the Registrar within 30 days of the change, filed through the registered agent. The new director goes through KYC first. The filed register is protected: the Registrar discloses it only in limited cases, such as a court order.
Corporate changesSource: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
Penalties of 10% and then 50% are added, and a company that stays unpaid can be struck off, which stops it acting and can freeze its account. Restoration is possible for a limited period by paying the arrears and penalties (confirm the current window with your specialist). A company you no longer need is cheaper to close on purpose.
Company strike-offSource: International Business Companies Act 2016 (consolidated to 11 July 2025), Financial Services Authority, Seychelles (accessed Sep 2026)
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