Register your Business as a Company in the British Virgin Islands

If you are an Indian National native to Canada or USA or an Indian resident and want to register as a Legal Business entity in the British Virgin Islands, then you can avail of Registrationwala's Company Incorporation services. We are a leading incorporation Agency in all of the Caribbean Islands.

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Company Registration in BVI

The British Virgin Islands is a British colony in the Caribbean Sea, East of Puerto Rico. It is also termed the Queen of the Virgin Islands. The UK Government terms it as their Overseas Territory. Foreign Establishments usually register as Offshore Companies in the British Virgin Islands. The most popular offshore business entity in the Virgin Islands is the BVI BC, i.e., the British Virgin Islands Company.

You will be shocked that about 40% of the Offshore Companies in the World are registered as BVI. The BVI administration recently passed the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act as an amendment to the existing Business Companies Act of the island nation. This latest amendment helped remove the difference between BVI's Off Shore and Onshore corporate entities. The amendment also replaced the term International Business Company or IBC with Business Company/BC. The advancement in corporate policymaking has them removing the business restrictions in BVI, and conduct business with BVI residents, and purchasing real estate on the island.

A bit about the British Virgin Islands Corporate Registry

The BVI Authority maintains a Corporate Registry for its enlisted companies. The BVI Corporate Registry is responsible for registering as well as maintaining records of incorporated companies in the British Virgin Islands. The Financial Services Commission of the BVI, a regulatory body for supervision and regulation of financial services in the British archipelago, manages this Registry.

The British Virgin Islands Business Registry is flexible and corporate-friendly among Businesses looking to set themselves up as a BVI offshore company. The BVI registry provides various services in relation to Business Registrations in the BVI, such as the following:

  • Company Formation
  • Company Registration
  • Company Records Maintenance, such as maintaining registers of the following:
    • Shareholders
    • Directors
    • Officers

The British Virgin Islands Corporate Registry mandates Companies to maintain such records in its registered office in the BVI. They must be available for inspection by the BVI Financial Services Commission anytime. The Registry is accessible online so that company applicants can access the database to search for details of registered companies, such as their name, status, and registered address.

Benefits of Company Registration in BVI

We have briefly discussed the benefits of Company Registration in BVI with you. Now let us look at them one-by-one in detail.

The Benefits of company registration in british virgin island

BVI employs Zero Tax policy for the Corporates

BVI Authority does not charge extra tax on the investors. The investors have to pay taxes specifically in their home country. This move ensures a level playing field for investors from all jurisdictions as well as empowers the BVI companies to progress in a positive direction. This will impact the cost and ease of doing business as well as its operational maintenance and governance.

The Corporates do not have to pay any additional layer of tax. Bring a member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, IOSCO, BVI Corporate Authority maintains incorporation and ongoing costs low but with high standards. Furthermore, a registered BVI BC is exempted from the income tax from all of the following:

  • Dividends
  • Interest
  • Royalties
  • Amounts paid by the BVI BC

The Corporate Authority of the BVI also exempts all kinds of capital gains, such as:

  • Shares
  • Debt
  • Securities 

Lastly, all financial transactions are also exempted from being taxed by the Authority with respect to a BVI BC, along with the instruments relating to transfers of the following:

  • Assets
  • Shares
  • Debt
  • Other obligations

Every BVI BC structure is customizable

The BVI Authority requires a BVI BC to maintain a minimum of one of each of the following:

  • Owner
  • Shareholder
  • Director

The applicant can design the widest variety of requirements as required to develop a suitable management structure. BVI BC can comprise both Individuals and/or Corporations of any national identity.

BVI BC is a separate Legal Entity

The BVI BC is a separate personality from its owners and shareholders. It pulls the same powers as a naturalized citizen of the BVI. The BVI Authority does not mandate that Shareholder and directors' meetings be held in the Virgin Islands. They can be remotely convened anywhere, say telephonically or through electronic means, at the convenience of the Board of Directors. In addition, the BVI Corporate Authority does not mandate the convening of the Company's Annual General Meeting.

BVI BC offers protection against shares confiscation

If the Company shares are seized by a Foreign Authority or for confiscatory tax, the BVI BC can disregard the seizure. It can continue to treat the person whose shares are seized. Such an Incorporation procedure is cheap and provides annual support.

The BVI Authority does not mandate the Company to file the details of the following with the BVI Registrar of Companies:

  • Corporate Officers
  • Directors
  • Shareholders
  • Other Beneficiarie

They are closed to the public. The Authority puts no restrictions on business operations and purchasing estate in BVI and other countries. You can continue to be a BVI BC in the Virgin Islands even if the Company has been incorporated in another jurisdiction. This offshore jurisdiction permits the circulation of the bearer shares freely and anonymously.

BVI does not mandate Company's accounting records submission

The BVI Authority does not mandate the BVI Companies to prepare financial accounts. The Company must only keep the requisite records sufficient to showcase its transactions. With this, one can accurately assess the Company's financial position. Also, the Company is not mandated to keep the available records in the Virgin Islands. Then BVI BC can freely determine the location by providing any registered Agent with confirmation of the respective address. Consequently, BVI Authority puts no audit requirements on the registered companies.

BVI puts no restriction on the Share Capital of the Company

The Corporate Authority in BVI does not restrict the share capital of a company. A registered company in BVI can issue an unlimited number of shares. This enables more elasticity in the Firm. It also helps declare the required distributions, reverses share splits, and more.

Types of Company Registration in BVI

A Business aspirant in BVI can register itself as one of the following corporate models in the British Virgin Islands as per the BVI Corporate Law:

These are types of company registration in british virgin Island

  • BC Limited Companies: Limited by Shares
  • BC Limited Companies: Limited by Guarantee. The guarantee can be limited with or without authorization to share issues.
  • Unlimited Company: Company imposing liability on its shareholders with or without authorization to shares issue
  • Segregated Portfolio Company
  • Restricted Purpose Company

Eligibility Criteria for Company Registration in BVI

Before applying for the Company Registration, the applicant must conform to the required eligibilities as detailed in the BVI Corporate Law. We have enlisted the pre-requisites for Company Incorporation in BVI in the following points:

Eligibility criteri for company registration in BVI

Company Nomenclature

Ø  The applicant company can generate a company name in any language.

Ø  But, the chosen name must be with Roman characters.

Ø  Company name ending can have any suffix.

Directors

Ø  The applicant company must maintain a minimum of one director.

Ø  The director can be an individual or a corporate entity.

Ø  The Individual or the corporate entity can be of any nationality.

Ø  The BVI corporate laws put no requirement for a necessary resident director.

Ø  The applicant can appoint any number of directors.

Ø  The applicant can also hire consultancies to become a nominee director in the Company.

Shareholders

Ø  The applicant company must maintain a minimum of one Shareholder within itself.

Ø  A director and a shareholder can be the same person in the Company.

Ø  An appointed shareholder can be an individual as well as a corporate body.

Ø  BVI corporate laws put no limit on the number of shareholders.

Company Secretary

Ø  Every company registration applicant must also appoint a Company Secretary for itself.

Ø  A CS can be an individual as well as a corporate body.

Ø  Also, the same director or Shareholder of a company can act as its company secretary.

Ø  You can also hire consultancies to act as the company secretary for any offshore company incorporation.

Paid-up Capital Requirement

Ø  The requirement for minimum paid-up capital is 1 share of par value in any currency, native or foreign.

Ø  The Standard Authorised Shares in the BVI confederacy is half a lac of shares of a minimum of one US dollar per value.

Official Address

Ø  The Company can avail of a registered address for running business operations in the British Virgin Islands.

Ø  The BVA authority puts no restrictions on estate hire or purchase for establishing head offices and branches.

Required Documentation

Ø  The applicant must maintain certified copies of Passports as well as proof of residence of shareholders and directors of the proposed Company.

Ø  The applicant must also maintain details of the parent company if the appointed Shareholder is a corporate entity.

Ø  These copies must be certified by a professional lawyer, CPA, or Bank.

Documents required for Company Registration in BVI

Every company registration aspirant in the BVI must submit the following documents along with the registration application to the BVI Registrar of Companies:

These are the required documents for company registraiton in british virgin Island

  • Duly filled Application Form: The E-form must contain the following information about the Company and its owners:
  • Company's Name
  • Beneficial Directors
  • Shareholders: Further information about the shareholders, such as:
    • Nationalit
    • Country of Origin
    • Residential Proof
    • Occupation and more
  • A scanned as well as a notarized copy of the passports of the to-be-appointed directors and shareholders
  • A photocopy of notarized official Documents such as a driving license or photo id card assures the Examiner that both copies and photos are true in likeness.
  • Proof of Residence: Original proof indicating the Individual's name and address. The proof can be any utility bill or bank statement. The submitted proof must not be more than three months old.
  • Initial letter of Introduction: The letter can be generated from a reputed lawyer or professional accountant
  • Each Shareholder and the Company's director must complete, sign, and submit a BOD (Beneficial Owners Declaration) with the application.
  • Memorandum of Association of the applicant Company
  • Articles of Association of the applicant Company

The applicant BVI BC must share the requisite Memorandum as well as Articles of Association and other associated documents with the Registrar for incorporation purposes. The MoA must be carefully drafted. It must also include the following details about the Company:

  • Name of the applicant Company
  • Official Address of the applicant Company
  • Functions and objectives of the applicant Company

Furthermore, the applicant must disclose its share capital and the liability of each member partner. If the Examiner accepts the MOA, the Authority will issue the Certificate of Incorporation. The applicants must submit all the documents to the Registrar of Companies at the time of Company formation. There is no need for the applicant to pay for the incorporation.

Procedure for Company Registration in BVI

The procedure for Company registration in the British Virgin Islands is poly-furcated into the following processes:

The Process for company registraion in BVI

  1. Choose and Reserve the Company's Trade Name
  2. Appoint a Registered Agent for the Company
  3. Open a Corporate Bank Account for the Company
  4. Submit the relevant documents for process completion
  5. Apply for required licenses to commence Business Operations

Differing from the expected timelines, the process for company incorporation in the Virgin Islands is straightforward. All you need to do is prepare the required documentation and adhere to the eligibility as per the BVI Corporate Laws. Your incorporation procedure will be smooth as silk. Here we have detailed the steps of company incorporation in the British Virgin Islands.

Choose and Reserve the Company's Trade Name

  • Firstly, the applicant must choose a unique name for the proposed Company.
  • Then he must reserve the chosen name with the BVI Registry.
  • The chosen name must be unique.
  • Nevertheless, the BVI Commercial Registry will search for the company name on the submitted name.
  • To avoid rejection, the applicant must contact the BVI Commercial Registry.  

Appoint a Registered Agent for the Company

The applicant must appoint a registered agent when incorporating business with the BVI Registrar.

Open a Corporate Bank Account for the Company

  • The Company, before incorporation, must open a mandatory bank account in its name to be able to commence its business operations.
  • The applicant must open a corporate account before filing the documents with the Authority.
  • Also, employers must register for their social security payment beforehand.

Submit the relevant documents for process completion

Along with opening the bank account for the Company, the applicant must draw up the Articles of Association and registered agent and Company's founder's details. Once these documents are drafted and compiled, the applicant must submit them to the BVI Companies Registry for registration approval.

Apply for required licenses to commence Business Operations

After gaining the registration approval, the newly incorporated Company must officially check for other relevant licenses to kickstart its business. You can obtain such permits from the Financial Services Commission of the BVI.

Our Assistance for Company Registration in BVI

Our Incorporation experts provide you end to end company incorporation services in the British Virgin Islands by assisting you in the following manner:

  • Collecting and Organizing the requisite Documents
  • Compiling the necessary documents for registration
  • Reserving the chosen name with the BVI Authority
  • File the certification application for Company's Incorporation on your behalf
  • Appoint a Directors and Company Secretary for your Firm
  • Prepare the requisite Memorandum and Articles for the Corporation
  • Assist in the appointment of the directors and shareholders in the Company
  • Choosing the appropriate office location for the Company
  • Obtain the required business licenses for running the Company in the British Virgin Islands

We ensure that your company incorporation services requirements for the British Virgin Islands are always on time. Our professionals understand the intricacies of company incorporation procedures in the British Virgin Islands. Thus, we have expedited the process – helping you incorporate your Company at an affordable price.

So, reach out to our Incorporation Experts and realize your dream of starting your own Company in the British Virgin Islands.

FAQs

Q. Explain the procedure for Company Registration in BVI?

A. The procedure for Company registration in the British Virgin Islands is poly-furcated into the following processes:

  1. Choose and Reserve the Company's Trade Name
  2. Appoint a Registered Agent for the Company
  3. Open a Corporate Bank Account for the Company
  4. Submit the relevant documents for process completion
  5. Apply for required licenses to commence Business Operations

Differing from the expected timelines, the process for company incorporation in the Virgin Islands is straightforward. All you need to do is prepare the required documentation and adhere to the eligibility as per the BVI Corporate Laws.

Q. How to register your Company in the British Virgin Islands?

A. To register your Company in the British Virgin Islands, refer to the process section of this webpage. We have detailed every aspect of the Company Incorporation procedure in that section. If you wish to know further about the incorporation procedure or have any related queries, you can connect with the Incorporation experts at Registrationwala. Our seasoned specialist in the legal domain can brief you on every aspect of the Company registration procedure in the British Virgin Islands.

Q. What is the requisite eligibility for the BVI commercial registry for directors?

A. The eligibility criteria for directors in company formation in BVI is as follows:

  • The applicant company must maintain a minimum of one director.
  • The director can be an individual or a corporate entity.
  • The Individual or the corporate entity can be of any nationality.
  • The BVI corporate laws put no requirement for a necessary resident director.
  • The applicant can appoint any number of directors.
  • The applicant can also hire consultancies to become a nominee director in the Company.

Q. Detail us the document requirements for company formation in BVI.

A. Every company registration aspirant in the BVI must submit the following documents along with the registration application to the BVI Registrar of Companies:

  • Duly filled Application Form: The E-form must contain the following information about the Company and its owners:
  • Company's Name
  • Beneficial Directors
  • Shareholders: Further information about the shareholders, such as:
    • Nationalit
    • Country of Origin
    • Residential Proof
    • Occupation and more
  • A scanned as well as a notarized copy of the passports of the to-be-appointed directors and shareholders
  • A photocopy of notarized official Documents such as a driving license or photo id card assures the Examiner that both copies and photos are true in likeness.
  • Proof of Residence: Original proof indicating the Individual's name and address. The proof can be any utility bill or bank statement. The submitted proof must not be more than three months old.
  • Initial letter of Introduction: The letter can be generated from a reputed lawyer or professional accountant
  • Each Shareholder and the Company's director must complete, sign, and submit a BOD (Beneficial Owners Declaration) with the application.
  • Memorandum of Association of the applicant Company
  • Articles of Association of the applicant Company

Q. What are the types of company registries in the British Virgin Islands for company formation?

A. A Business aspirant in BVI can register itself as one of the following corporate models in the British Virgin Islands as per the BVI Corporate Law:

  • BC Limited Companies: Limited by Shares
  • BC Limited Companies: Limited by Guarantee. The guarantee can be limited with or without authorization to share issues.
  • Unlimited Company: Company imposing liability on its shareholders with or without authorization to shares issue
  • Segregated Portfolio Company
  • Restricted Purpose Company

Q. How to set up a company in BVI?

A. To set up a company through the BVI registry, refer to the process section of this webpage. We have detailed every aspect of the Company Incorporation procedure in that section. If you wish to know further about the incorporation procedure or have any related queries, you can connect with the Incorporation experts at Registrationwala. Our seasoned specialist in the legal domain can brief you on every aspect of the Company registration procedure in the British Virgin Islands.

Q. How does one hire a registered agent in BVI for company incorporation?

A. Every company registration applicant must also appoint a registered agent for itself.

  • A Registered Agent can be an individual as well as a corporate body.
  • Also, the same director or Shareholder of a company can act as its registered agent.
  • You can also hire consultancies to act as the registered agent for any offshore company incorporation.

Q. What are the required eligibilities for a company name in the corporate registry in BVI?

A. The applicant company can generate a company name in any language. But, the chosen name must be with Roman characters. Company name ending can have any suffix. You can also perform a BVI registry company search with the corporate registry.

Q. How to apply for the British Virgin Islands registry?

A. To apply for the British Virgin Islands registry, refer to the process section of this webpage. We have detailed every aspect of the Company Incorporation procedure in that section. If you wish to know further about the incorporation procedure or have any related queries, you can connect with the Incorporation experts at Registrationwala. Our seasoned specialist in the legal domain can brief you on every aspect of the Company registration procedure in the British Virgin Islands.

Q. What are the required eligibilities for the shareholders for the Corporate Registry in the British Virgin Islands?

A. For the business registry in the British Virgin Islands, the applicant must appoint the shareholders based on the following eligibilities:

Ø  The applicant company must maintain a minimum of one Shareholder within itself.

Ø  A director and a shareholder can be the same person in the Company.

Ø  An appointed shareholder can be an individual as well as a corporate body.

Ø  BVI corporate laws put no limit on the number of shareholders.

Q. Explain in detail the company formation procedure for the British Virgin Islands.

A. For company formation procedure in the British Virgin Islands, and company register search, refer to the process section of this webpage. We have detailed every aspect of the Company Incorporation procedure in that section. If you wish to know further about the incorporation procedure or have any related queries, you can connect with the Incorporation experts at Registrationwala. Our seasoned specialist in the legal domain can brief you on every aspect of the Company registration procedure in the British Virgin Islands.

Q. How can the Registrationwala help you in the BVI registration process of a company?

A. Our Incorporation experts provide you end to end company incorporation services in the British Virgin Islands by assisting you in the following manner:

  • Collecting and Organizing the requisite Documents
  • Compiling the necessary documents for registration
  • Reserving the chosen name with the BVI Authority
  • File the certification application for Company's Incorporation on your behalf
  • Appoint a Directors and Company Secretary for your Firm
  • Prepare the requisite Memorandum and Articles for the Corporation
  • Assist in the appointment of the directors and shareholders in the Company
  • Choosing the appropriate office location for the Company
  • Obtain the required business licenses for running the Company in the British Virgin Islands

We ensure that your company incorporation services requirements for the British Virgin Islands are always on time.

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