Seychelles
Key entity, tax, banking, visa, and compliance guidance for foreign founders incorporating in Seychelles.
Foreign Ownership Eligibility
Seychelles welcomes 100% foreign-owned companies
Fully remote formation — you never need to set foot in the country.
- IBC incorporation can often be completed in 1-3 business days
- Seychelles remains a common offshore structure for fast setup
- No public beneficial owner register for IBCs is a common privacy feature
- Commonwealth membership supports legal familiarity for many founders
Ownership
100% Foreign OK
Formation
100% Remote
Note
Economic substance and reporting expectations were strengthened after 2019 reforms.
Tax at a glance
Seychelles Tax Overview
0%
IBC offshore income tax
Seychelles fact sheet
0%
Capital gains tax for IBC offshore income
Seychelles fact sheet
1.5% of worldwide income
CSL tax rate
Seychelles fact sheet
Pros & cons
Advantages & Considerations
Key Advantages
Very fast incorporation timeline
High privacy for IBC structures
Low setup and maintenance cost profile
No tax on offshore IBC income
Commonwealth legal familiarity
Considerations
Periodic EU and OECD watchlist exposure
Offshore banking access has become more difficult since 2019
Substance compliance requirements have tightened
Incorporation Process
The process is strictly digital. Each stage builds on the previous one.
Select structure
Submit KYC pack
Incorporate entity
Operational readiness
What you'll pay
Cost Architecture
Government Fees
Annual Ongoing
Professional Services
Low formation cost can be offset by practical banking constraints for offshore activity.
Still unsure about costs?
These are estimates — your actual cost depends on your structure
Every Seychelles setup is different. A 15-minute call with one of our specialists will give you a personalised cost breakdown — completely free.
Fintech & Banking
Can non-residents open accounts without visiting? YES.
Banking options for non-resident founders in Seychelles. Remote account opening availability varies by institution.
| Institution | Type | Ease for Non-Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nouvobanq | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Frequently longer due to enhanced offshore due diligence • Institution and risk profile dependent • Bank relationship dependent • Full KYC file, business profile, and beneficial ownership evidence • SWIFT, online banking, and standard international transfers |
| MCB Seychelles | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Frequently longer due to enhanced offshore due diligence • Institution and risk profile dependent • Bank relationship dependent • Full KYC file, business profile, and beneficial ownership evidence • SWIFT, online banking, and standard international transfers |
| BMI Offshore Bank | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | Frequently longer due to enhanced offshore due diligence • Institution and risk profile dependent • Bank relationship dependent • Full KYC file, business profile, and beneficial ownership evidence • SWIFT, online banking, and standard international transfers |
| Limited fintech depth for offshore entities | Fintech | High (Remote) | Frequently longer due to enhanced offshore due diligence • Institution and risk profile dependent • Bank relationship dependent • Full KYC file, business profile, and beneficial ownership evidence • SWIFT, online banking, and standard international transfers |
Regulatory requirements
Annual Compliance Matrix
| Requirement | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|
Annual renewal | Ongoing | Maintain annual government and registered agent renewals on time. |
Substance obligations | Ongoing | Relevant activities must satisfy economic substance expectations. |
Record keeping | Ongoing | Keep accounting records and ownership information current and available as required. |
Frequently Asked
Speak with a Seychelles specialist
Get personalised guidance on entity types, costs, timelines and banking — free, no commitment needed.