
Incorporate in Cook Islands
Set up a Cook Islands Company
The Cook Islands’ Limited Liability Companies Act was enacted in 2008 to enhance its offshore sector offer. Following the model adopted in several U.S. States, a Cook Islands LLC is a flexible entity that allows to form its structure according to its operating agreement, rather than dictated by rigid legal statutory mandates.
A Cook Islands LLC is a hybrid of both partnership and corporate structures, protecting LLC members from the debts incurred by the entity and separating the rights of its members and that of the LLC.
Besides the aforementioned structural flexibility, Cook Islands LLCs benefits from confidentiality, no reporting requirements, and tax-exemption.
The Cook Islands are an offshore financial destination distinguished for its asset protection laws, ensuring the assets of foreign Cook Island investors.
A creditor cannot issue a charging order or interfere with the operations of an LLC nor seize, liquidate or force the dissolution of the company, any member of a Cook Islands LLC with a charging order can still act and exercise their rights as a member and any order that is a result of judgment in another location outside of the Cook Islands will not be enforced or recognized in the courts of Cook Island.
A Cook Islands LLC used in conjunction with a Cook Islands International Trust, may be one of the best asset protection tools available worldwide.
In the Cook Islands, the two most common corporate structures are the International Company (IC), incorporated under the International Companies Act 1981-1982, and the Limited Liability Company (LLC), registered under the Limited Liability Companies Act 2008.
Since 2019, we mainly incorporate limited liability companies as they still maintain tax-exempt status.
Note that our incorporation and annual corporate service fees are “all-included fees”, and cover all the required services to incorporate a Cook Islands 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 notarization of documents, which are generally required for opening bank accounts.
Cook Islands Company (LLC) Formation and First-Year Fees – USD 2,350.00 (All Included)
- All Applicable Registration and Government Fees (Registrar of Companies)
- Acting as the Organizer of the Limited Liability Company
- Filing the Company with the Registrar of Companies
- Providing the Certificate of Organization issued by the Registrar
- Providing the Entity Extract
- Preparing the company Operating Agreement (including unlimited reviews)
- Preparing the Register of Members and Register of Managers
- Providing Registered Agent Services for one year
- Providing Registered Office Services, including service address, for one year
- Preparing and executing a Certificate of Incumbency
- Preparing Notarized Copies of the Corporate Documents
- Delivering Notarized copies of the Corporate Documents via Courier, inclusive of Courier fees
Cook Islands International Company (IC) Formation and First-Year Fees – USD 2,750.00 (All Included)
- All Applicable Registration and Government Fees (Registrar of Companies)
- Preparing the Memorandum & Articles of Association, and file them with the Registrar of Companies
- Providing the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar, and the filed M&AA
- Providing the Entity Extract
- Preparing the First Board Resolution resolving the issuance and allotment of shares, the appointment of directors, registered office, and other corporate matters.
- Preparing the Directors’ Acceptance Letter
- Preparing the Register of Members and Register of Managers
- Providing Registered Agent Services for one year
- Providing Registered Office Services, including service address, for one year
- Preparing the Shares Certificates
- Preparing and executing a Certificate of Incumbency
- Obtaining Tax Identification Number
- Preparing Notarized Copies of the Corporate Documents
- Delivering Notarized copies of the Corporate Documents via Courier, inclusive of Courier fees
Time to form
It generally takes us one day to prepare the incorporation documents and file the company with the Registrar. The Registrar generally issues the Certificate of Organization/Incorporation and Entity Extract within the same day or the following day.
Bank Account Opening Services (Optional)
We assist you in opening a bank account in Cook Islands.
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Cook Islands Bank Account - USD $ 600.00Cook Islands Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCapital Security BankUSD 250,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD, AUD, SGD, HKDYesClients can have a corporate account for operational purposes only if they open an investment account as well.
Note that we can also open overseas bank accounts for Cook Islands companies in the following offshore jurisdictions:
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Antigua Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Antigua Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsGlobal Bank of CommerceUSD 25,000YesUSD, EUR, GBPYesDBankUSD 10,000YesUSD, EURYesIn euros DBank processes only via SEPA. In dollars at the moment only with correspondents in the US, through FEDWIRE (not ACH at the moment).North International BankUSD 5,000YesUSD, EURYes
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Bahamas Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Bahamas Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsDeltecUSD 1,000,000NoMulticurrencyYesEFG BankUSD 1,000,000YesMulticurrencyYesRemote account opening is possible but the bank will visit the client within first year after opening.Capital Union BankUSD 1,000,000NoUSDYesFamily Offices, Fund Managers and Asset Managers only
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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 4,000YesEUR, GBP, USDYes
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BVI Bank Account - USD $ 900.00BVI Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsVP BankUSD 500,000NoMulticurrencyYesVP Bank offers services to local BVI residents as well as international clients who have BVI companies, trusts or fund structures. It is primarily focused on financing, investment management, custodial and securities trading accountsBank of AsiaUSD 20,000NoUSD, GBP, HKDYes
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Cayman Islands Bank Account - USD $ 900.00Cayman Islands Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCayman National BankUSD 250,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, SEK, CHFYesNCB Cayman LimitedUSD 100,000YesUSD, EUR, CAD, GBP, AUD, MulticurrencyYes
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Curaçao Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Curaçao Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsExprinter International Bank N.V.USD 100,000YesMulticurrencyYes
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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.
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EMI Bank Account - USD $ 300.00EMI Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsUK EMI AccountN/AYesMulticurrencyYesCards are subject to jurisdictions.Singapore EMI AccountN/AYesSGD, USDYesOnly companies incorporated in APAC jurisdictions.Lithuania EMI AccountN/ANoMulticurrencyYesKazakhstan EMI AccountDepending on category.NoMulticurrencyYesCanada EMI AccountN/ANoEURYesMalta EMI AccountN/ANoEURYes
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Gibraltar Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Gibraltar Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsTuricum Private BankUSD 200,000NoUSD, EUR, GBPYesMoneycorp Bank Limitedcase-by-caseNoMulticurrencyYes
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Hong Kong Bank Account - USD $ 1,400.00Hong 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.
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Isle of Man Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Isle of Man Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsCapital International BankN/ANoUSD, EUR, GBPYes
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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, AEDYesThey focus more on Labuan incorporated entities.CitibankUSD 250,000NoMulticurrencyYes
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Liechtenstein Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Liechtenstein Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsBendura BankUSD 500,000NoMulticurrencyYesEvery active NFE needs to have a substance.
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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.
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Mauritius Bank Account - USD $ 600.00Mauritius Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsBank OneUSD 50,000YesMulticurrencyYesInvestecUSD 50,000YesMulticurrencyYes
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Nevis Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Nevis Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsBONIUSD 10,000NoUSD, EUR, GBP, Multicurrency, CHF, CADYesHamilton Reserve BankUSD 100,000NoUSD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, CAD, AED, JPY, SGD, HKDYesIMBLUSD 25,000NoMulticurrencyYes
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Panama Bank Account - USD $ 1,200.00Panama Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsMMG BankUSD 10,000YesUSD, EUR, CHF, GBP, CADYesCredicorpUSD 50,000YesUSD, EURYesCapital BankUSD 20,000YesUSDYes
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Puerto Rico Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Puerto Rico Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsStrategic BankUSD 150,000NoUSDYesArival BankN/ANoUSDYesCB International Bank LLCN/AYesMulticurrencyYesUnionpay Merchant service for clients
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Saint Lucia Bank Account - USD $ 300.00Saint Lucia Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsPROVEN BANK (Former BOSLIL)USD 5,000YesUSD, EUR, GBP, HKD, Multicurrency, CAD, CHF, AED, AUD, NZD, NOK, SEK, THB, JPY, ZARYes
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Seychelles Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Seychelles Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsAl SalamUSD 25,000YesUSDYesInternet banking is in view mode only, all transactions are carried out via email or by phone.
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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 250,000YesMulticurrencyYesNexus 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.
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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
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USA Bank Account - USD $ 1,400.00USA Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsUSA Bank AccountUSD 5,000YesUSDYesThe company should trade in Asia and the USA.USA Bank AccountTypically USD 25,000 - USD 50,000, for high risk USD 500,000YesUSDYesAt least one US based signatory is required. Purpose to open an account in US is required.USA Bank AccountCase by case (from 10,000 but preferred 250K-300K)YesUSD, MulticurrencyYesThey tend to focus more on technology/startup companies that are focused on growing and scaling through future equity raises and subsequent debt facilities.
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Vanuatu Bank Account - USD $ 500.00Vanuatu Bank AccountBankMin DepositCardsCurrenciesRemoteCommentsPacific Private BankUSD 1,500NoEUR, GBP, USDYesOutgoing USD transactions cannot be facilitated.
In addition to the above jurisdictions, we may be able to open bank accounts in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands for Cook Islands holding companies and private wealth structures (no commercial activity) and Cook Islands companies conducting commercial activities via a branch office in the EEA. The availability of such accounts depends on a number of specific factors. Contact us for further information.
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.
Nominee Services (Optional)
- Nominee Shareholder/Member Services – USD 1,900.00
- Nominee Director/Manager Services – USD 1,900.00
Annual Fees
Cook Islands Limited Liability Company (LLC) Annual Fees – USD 1,550.00 (payable one year after incorporation and annually thereafter)
- All Applicable Annual Government Fees
- Processing Renewal of Registration, and providing a new Certificate of Organisation for the relevant year
- Maintaining the Minute Book, Registers and Statutory Records
- Providing Registered Agent Services for one year
- Providing Registered Office Services, including service address, for one year
Cook Islands International Company (IC) Annual Fees – USD 2,250.00 (payable one year after incorporation and annually thereafter)
- All Applicable Annual Government Fees
- Processing Renewal of Registration, and providing a new Certificate of Organisation for the relevant year
- Maintaining the Minute Book, Registers and Statutory Records
- Providing Registered Agent Services for one year
- Providing Registered Office Services, including service address, for one year
- Preparing Annual Financial Statements (for calculation of taxes purposes, required for International Companies)
- Preparing and Filing Tax Return (required for International Companies)
Other Services (Optional)
- Establishment of Trusts, and provision of Trustee Services
- Secretarial Services
- Accounting Services
Please, contact us for further information.