
Incorporate in The Bahamas
Set up a company in Bahamas
The Bahamas is one of the industry veterans when it comes to offshore financial services. Since the 30s and 40s, the jurisdiction has been attracting foreign wealth due to its absence of taxation and its confidentiality policies. Although it lost popularity after its independence from Great Britain back in 1973, in favor of Cayman, BVI or Bermuda, it is still one of the go-to jurisdictions in terms of offshore corporate, trust and banking services.
Last December 2018, the Bahamas implemented several legislative changes to comply with requirements set by the EU and the OECD, by enacting the Removal of Preferential Exemptions Act; Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act; the Register of Beneficial Ownership Act; and the Multinational Entities Financial Reporting Act
The Removal of Preferential Exemptions Act abolishes ring-fencing features provided by the International Business Companies Act; the Exempted Limited Partnership Act; the Investment Condominium Act, 2014; and the Executive Entities Act, 2011 – which provided companies incorporated by non-residents to enjoy certain exemptions if they were operated completely outside of the Bahamas.
Because the Bahamas doesn’t levy corporate taxes the main impact for IBCs or Limited Partnerships doing business outside of the Bahamas is that now they will be required to obtain a business license and pay a certain annual fee, as well as stamp duty on certain instruments. Limited duration companies under the International Business Act have been abolished.
Companies incorporated on or before December 31, 2018, are grandfathered for three years, until December 31, 2021.
Furthermore, international banking, insurance, and securities/capital markets sectors will be able to offer services to residents in the Bahamas and in local currency once certain regulatory approvals are in place. On the other hand, local commercial banks will be able to provide services to international clients.
Bahamian International Business Companies are commonly used as holding companies, to hold bank accounts, financial and commercial titles, international trading, own movable and immovable properties, asset protection and estate and inheritance security, among others.
Learn more about incorporating in the Bahamas:
Bahamas International Business Company (IBC) Formation and First-Year Fees – USD 3,800.00 (All Included)
Note that our incorporation and annual corporate service fees are “all-included fees”, and cover all the necessary services to incorporate a Bahamian International Business Company, and keep it in good standing, as well as government fees and duties, disbursements such as courier fees, and assignments such as the preparation of a certificate of incumbency, and the certification of documents, which are generally required for opening bank accounts.
- All applicable Registration and Government Fees (Registrar General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas)
- Preparing Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association and filing such articles with the Registrar General
- Acting as Subscriber and executing the Memorandum of Association
- Providing the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar General
- Preparing Subscription Agreements
- Preparing Director’s Acceptance Letters
- Preparing and executing Subscriber Resolutions for the appointment of the first Directors
- Preparing and executing the Share Transfer Instrument for the transfer of Shares from the Subscriber to the Shareholder
- Preparing the First Board Resolutions resolving the Issuance and Allotment of Shares, Share Certificates, Appointment of Directors, Registered Office, etc
- Preparing the Register of Directors and Register of Members
- Providing Registered Office Services, including Business Address, for the calendar year
- Preparing and executing a Certificate of Incumbency
- Preparing the Certified True Copies of Corporate Documents
- Preparing the Share Certificates
- Delivery of Corporate Documents, inclusive of Courier Fees
Time to form the company
It generally takes us one day to prepare and file the M&AA and the related corporate documentation. At the time of filing your company with the Registrar General, we may elect either:
- Standard Procedure: It may take for the Registrar General 3 to 5 business days to issue the certificate of incorporation.
- Express Procedure: The Registrar General will process the registration of the company within the same day for an additional government fee of USD 450.
Bank Account Opening Services (Optional)
We assist you in opening a bank account for the Company in Bahamas.
-
Bahamas Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Bahamas Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsDeltecUSD 1,000,000NoMulticurrencyYesCitibankUSD 10,000,000NoMulticurrencyYesEquity BankUSD 500,000YesUSD, EURYesCIBC FirstCaribbean International BankUSD 100,000YesMulticurrencyYesEFG BankUSD 1,000,000NoMulticurrencyYesCapital Union BankUSD 1,000,000NoUSDYesHigh Turnover Individuals, Family Offices, Fund Managers and Asset Managers only
Note that we can also open overseas bank accounts for Bahamas companies in the following offshore jurisdictions:
-
Antigua Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Antigua Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsGlobal Bank of CommerceUSD 25,000YesUSD, EUR, GBPYesDBankUSD 10,000YesUSD, EURYesNorth International BankUSD 5,000YesUSD, EURYes
-
Barbados Bank Account - USD $ 900.00Barbados Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCIBC FirstCaribbean International BankUSD 25,000YesMulticurrencyYesEconomic Substance required.
-
Belize Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Belize Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCaye BankUSD 1,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, AUD, AED, CNY, SEK, NOKYesHeritage BankUSD 3,000YesMulticurrencyYesBelize Bank InternationalUSD 4,000NoEUR, GBP, USDYes
-
BVI Bank Account - USD $ 900.00BVI Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsVP BankUSD 250,000NoMulticurrencyYesBank of AsiaUSD 20,000NoUSD, GBP, HKDYes
-
Cayman Islands Bank Account - USD $ 700.00Cayman Islands Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCIBC FirstCaribbean International BankUSD 25,000NoUSD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUDYesCayman National BankUSD 100,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, SEK, CHFYesNCB Cayman LimitedUSD 100,000YesUSD, EUR, CAD, GBPYes
-
Cook Islands Bank Account - USD $ 600.00Cook Islands Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCapital Security BankUSD 20,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD, AUD, SGD, HKDYesClients can have a corporate account for operational purposes only if they open an investment account as well.
-
Curaçao Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Curaçao Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCIBC FirstCaribbean International BankUSD 7,500NoMulticurrencyYesExprinter International Bank N.V.USD 100,000YesMulticurrencyYes
-
Dominica Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Dominica Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsEqiBankUSD 15,000YesUSD, EUR, GBPYesKingdom BankN/ANoEUR, USDYesSWIFT transactions are carried out only through a pool account in the name of the bank.
-
EMI Bank Account - USD $ 300.00EMI Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsUK EMI AccountN/ANoEUR, GBPYesLT EMI AccountN/ANoMulticurrencyYesMT EMI AccountN/ANoEURYesCA EMI AccountN/ANoEURYesKZ EMI AccountDepending on category.NoMulticurrencyYesHK EMI AccountN/ANoUSD, EUR, GBP, HKDYesCurrently, the Neat account is available for businesses incorporated in Hong Kong, Australia, BVI, Cayman Islands and New Zealand only.IE EMI AccountN/ANoEUR, MulticurrencyYesSingapore EMI AccountN/AYesSGD, USDYesOnly companies incorporated in APAC jurisdictions.
-
Gibraltar Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Gibraltar Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsTuricum Private BankUSD 200,000NoUSD, EUR, GBPYesMoneycorp Bank Limitedcase-by-caseNoMulticurrencyYes
-
Hong Kong Bank Account - USD $ 2,000.00Hong Kong Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsDBS BankHKD 200,000YesHKD, USD, MulticurrencyYesA business nexus in Hong Kong is strictly required, in the form of clients, suppliers, employees or other counterparties.
-
Isle of Man Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Isle of Man Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCapital International BankN/ANoUSD, EUR, GBPYes
-
Labuan Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Labuan Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsBank IslamUSD 10,000NoUSD, JPY, SGD, EUR, GBPYesMayBank International Labuan BranchUSD 25,000NoUSD, EUR, CAD, CHF, GBP, HKD, SGD, JPY, THB, AEDYesCitibankUSD 250,000NoMulticurrencyYes
-
Liechtenstein Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Liechtenstein Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsAlpinumCHF 250,000NoMulticurrencyYesCompanies conducting commercial activities (as opposed to only holding assets) must have a physical presence in the form of offices and employees in the country where it is incorporated or tax resident.Bendura BankUSD 500,000NoMulticurrencyYes
-
Luxembourg Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Luxembourg Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsEast West United BankN/AYesUSD, EUR, GBP, RUB, CHFYesCompanies conducting commercial activities are expected to conduct at least 30 incoming / outgoing transactions per month.
-
Mauritius Bank Account - USD $ 600.00Mauritius Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsBank OneUSD 25,000YesMulticurrencyYesCompanies must have some form of business connection to Africa in the form of clients, suppliers or investments.InvestecUSD 50,000YesMulticurrencyYes
-
Panama Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Panama Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsMMG BankUSD 10,000YesUSD, EUR, CHF, GBP, CADYesCredicorpUSD 50,000YesUSD, EURYesCapital BankUSD 20,000YesUSDYes
-
Puerto Rico Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Puerto Rico Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsFV BankCase by caseYesUSDYesStrategic BankUSD 100,000NoUSDYesArival BankN/ANoUSDYesCB International Bank LLCN/ANoMulticurrencyYes
-
Saint Lucia Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Saint Lucia Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsPROVEN BANK (Former BOSLIL)USD 5,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, HKDYes
-
Seychelles Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Seychelles Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsAl SalamUSD 25,000YesUSDYes
-
Singapore Bank Account - USD $ 900.00Singapore Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsOCBC BankUSD 30,000YesUSD, SGD, AUD, CAD, HKD, NZD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CHFYesNexus in the form of client/supplier/partner/contractor in Singapore required.RHBSGD/USD 30,000NoMulticurrencyYesNexus in the form of client/supplier/partner/contractor in Singapore required.DBS BankSGD 250,000YesMulticurrencyYesNexus in the form of client/supplier/partner/contractor in Singapore required.UOB BankSGD 350,000YesMulticurrencyYesNexus in the form of client/supplier/partner/contractor in Singapore required.Credit SuisseUSD 3,000,000NoUSD, SGDYesBank of ChinaSGD 100,000NoUSD, SGD, EUR, GBP, NZD, RMB, AUD, JPY, HKD, CHF, CADYesNexus in the form of client/supplier/partner/contractor in Singapore required.
-
Switzerland Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Switzerland Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsmbaerCHF 5,000NoMulticurrencyYesCompanies must have an expected turnover of at least CHF 3,000,000SygnumCHF 3,000,000NoMulticurrencyYesDeposit must be maintained in crypto assets held through the bank's custody services.Credit SuisseCHF 1,000,000YesMulticurrencyYes
-
USA Bank Account - USD $ 1,400.00USA Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsUSA Bank AccountN/A (USD 250,000 preferred)NoUSDYes
-
Vanuatu Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Vanuatu Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsPacific Private BankUSD 1,500NoEUR, GBP, USDYesOutgoing USD transactions cannot be facilitated.
Note that we can also assist the client with opening Electronic Money Institutions Accounts in the EEA at no additional cost.
Our bank account opening service is not just a mere introduction to the bank. We assist you in filling out the business plan forms appropriately and help you understand and provide business details, commercial information, and purpose/use of the bank account that a given bank wants to know in order to approve your account application.
Banks want certainty and clarity on how the account will be used. Everything must be watertight. We will work with you to make sure there is minimal ‘back and forth’ and a smooth account opening process.
Bahamas Company Annual Fees (payable every January) – USD 2,600.00
- All Applicable Annual Government Fees
- Submitting Economic Substance Return
- Maintaining the Minute Book, Registers and Statutory Records
- Registered Agent Service for one year
- Registered Office Service for one year
Nominee Services (Optional)
- Bahamas Resident Director – USD 3,500.00 per annum
- Nominee Director (Natural Person) – USD 1,900.00 per annum
- Nominee Shareholder (Corporation), including a Deed of Trust – USD 1,500.00 per annum
Other Services (Optional)
- Formation and Maintenance of Limited Partnerships and Foundations
- Establishment of Trusts, and provision of Trustee Services
- Continuation of Foreign Companies
- SCB Registration of Investment Funds and Securities Businesses, and related services
- Economic Substance Services (Physical Office, Outsourcing of CIGA, etc.)
- Secretarial Services
- Accounting Services
Please, contact us for further information.