Company formation in Seychelles
Seychelles is fast, inexpensive and still the most common home for retail forex brokers through the securities dealer licence. Its weakness is banking — plan that side of the structure before you incorporate.
Tax on foreign income
0%
Formation time
1–3 days
Common vehicle
IBC
Broker licence
Securities dealer
The IBC and its tax treatment
An International Business Company is exempt from Seychelles business tax on foreign-sourced income and pays a flat annual government fee. Companies must keep accounting records and file a financial summary with their registered agent; the beneficial ownership register is held by the agent and accessible to the authorities. Public disclosure of shareholders is not required.
Incorporation requirements
- Minimum one director and one shareholder; corporate directors permitted.
- No minimum capital; standard authorised capital USD 100,000 without extra fee.
- Licensed Seychelles registered agent and registered office are mandatory.
- Accounting records kept in Seychelles and a bi-annual financial summary filed.
- Annual renewal fee due on the incorporation anniversary.
Securities dealer licence for forex brokers
The Financial Services Authority issues a securities dealer licence that permits dealing in securities and, in practice, retail forex and CFD brokerage. Requirements include minimum capital, two resident directors, a compliance officer, audited accounts and AML procedures. A licensed Seychelles broker is far more bankable than an IBC describing itself as a broker without authorisation, and it is the difference between a client-fund account being opened or refused.
Company formation, banking and licensing handled together
We form the entity, prepare the due-diligence file the way an onboarding committee reads it, and take the licence application through to grant where one is required. Ownership chart, licence scope, AML/KYC policy and expected flows by corridor are prepared before any bank sees the file.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Seychelles company open a bank account?
Not easily with traditional banks. Realistic options are EMIs, specialist banks in Mauritius, Georgia or the UAE, and licensed institutions once the broker licence is granted. We build the banking plan into the structure.
How fast is Seychelles incorporation?
Often one to three working days once KYC is complete, which makes it one of the quickest offshore jurisdictions available.
Is a Seychelles forex licence respected?
It is accepted by many liquidity providers and payment processors as a genuine authorisation, though it is not equivalent to CySEC or FCA regulation. Match the licence to the markets you intend to solicit.
Considering Seychelles for your structure?
We will confirm in writing whether it fits your regulator and your banks. Reply within 2 hours.
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