Belize company formation for non-residents

A passport copy and a recent proof of address for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner, a short description of the business, a source-of-funds statement and a CRS tax residency self-certification. If a shareholder is itself a company, we also need its registry documents and the names of the people who own or control it. Everything is uploaded in the client portal after checkout.

Because direct access to Belize's Online Business Registry System is for people with a Belize social security ID. A company with foreign directors or shareholders is registered through a licensed Belize registered agent, which reserves the name, files the articles and enters the beneficial owners. We handle that filing for you.

Source: Frequently asked questions (OBRS access for non-Belizeans), Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR)

Yes. Belize has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1993, so apostilled Belize documents are accepted in other member countries without consular legalisation. Banks and foreign registries often ask for an apostilled certificate of incorporation and a recent certificate of good standing, and we order both on request.

Certification and apostille

Source: Status table: Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)

Ahead of your renewal date, with the registry fee, the registered agent and office, and our service shown as lines. The registry fee depends on your share capital band under the BCCAR fee schedule, so it stays the same unless you increase the number of shares. Pay by card, PayPal or wire in the client portal or on Renew & pay.

Renew & pay

Source: Fees schedule, Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR)

The registry charges US$1,000 in restoration fees for a filing made through a registered agent, before any unpaid annual fees and our own work. That is usually several times the annual renewal, which is why we remind you well before each renewal date.

Source: Fees schedule, Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR)

Mainly electronic money institutions (EMIs) and some banks outside Belize, in the region where you trade. Belize had no FATF or EU-list flag at our September 2026 review, but banks still treat small international financial centres with care. We check which institutions accept your profile before you pay, and the institution decides.

Regulatory information

Evidence that the business is real and a clear reason for using Belize. A working website, signed contracts or invoices, a list of main customers and suppliers, and bank statements showing where the first funds come from answer most of the questions. Send the same business description to the bank that you gave the registered agent, because banks compare them.

Only if it carries on a relevant activity, such as banking, insurance, fund management, financing and leasing, headquarters, distribution and service centre or shipping business, or holds companies that do. An entity in scope must run its core income-generating activities in Belize with adequate staff, spending and premises. A company managed outside Belize can be excluded if it is tax resident elsewhere and holds a certificate from that country's tax authority.

Source: Economic Substance Act, Cap. 273:01 (Revised Edition 2020), Financial Services Commission, Belize

The company updates its entry in the Online Business Registry System and its own internal register whenever an owner changes. Registered agents must be able to give the information to the Financial Services Commission within 7 days of a request, so we ask for new owners' KYC before the change and file the update straight after.

Corporate changes

Source: Guidelines on beneficial ownership information for legal persons and legal arrangements, Financial Services Commission, Belize

Check that it re-registered under the Companies Act 2022, because the old IBC regime was replaced and the registry publishes a list of companies that have not re-registered. Then confirm that its registers of members and directors are on file and its beneficial owners are entered in the registry system. We review these points when you ask to transfer the company to us.

Transfer your company

Source: Companies not yet re-registered, Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR)

The certificate of incorporation, the articles, the registers of members and directors as filed, and share certificates, all in the client portal. We keep the renewal date and any register updates on one calendar and send reminders before each is due. Certified or apostilled copies are available if a bank or authority abroad asks for them.

Certified copies

Ask us to apply for its removal from the register through the registered agent, after the fees and filings are up to date. Closing it this way costs less than leaving it to be struck off and then restoring it later if a bank or buyer asks for records. Keep the company's records for at least 5 years after closing (confirm with your specialist).

Company strike-off

Source: Belize Companies Act 2022, Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR)

Can a foreigner open a bank account in Belize?

Yes, there are no restrictions on foreigners opening a bank account. In fact, many foreign individuals and companies have opened an offshore bank account in Belize, including US citizens.

There are two forms of offshore banking in Belize: A Class - Unrestricted license and B Class - Restricted license.

• A-Class requires the holder to open, manage and operate a business in Belize;
• B-Class has similar requirements and applications as the A-Class, the difference is only that offshore banking operation in B-Class is limited to specified activities as stated in the license.

The required documents to open an offshore account in Belize

You can open an offshore account for the international company in Belize. There are various types of documents that are required to submit such as company license, driver’s license, social security equivalents, v.v. and it depends on the bank you choose but the general requirements are as follows:

• Notarized copy of valid passport or document with signature, photo, and personal identification;
• Proof of your residential address such as original utility bill of the residence;
• A bank reference from a bank that has more than 2 years of history with you;
• Professional reference from a lawyer or accountant with 2-year history or a second bank that knows you for over two years.

Read more:

• Belize bank account
• Belize company registration

2 mins video Belize International Business Company (Belize Offshore Company - IBC) has totally exemption on taxes, according to the International Business Companies Act, 2000. No filing of accounts or submitting annual returns is required after the offshore has been incorporated. Belize is not a party in any double taxation treaty, which provides enhanced protection against fiscal inquiries. The law protects the confidentiality of the Shareholder, Director and the offshore company

How to open company in Belize?

Belize Offshore Company Formation, initially Our Relationship Managers team will ask you have to provide the detailed information of the Shareholder/Director's names and information. You can select level of services you need, normal with 2 working days or a working day in urgent case. Furthermore, give the proposal company names so that we can check the eligibility of company name in the Registrar of International Business Companies system.

You settle the payment for Our Service fee and official Belize Government Fee required. We accept payment by Credit/Debit Card     , Paypal  or Wire Transfer to our HSBC bank account  (Payment Guidelines).

After collecting full information from you, Offshore Company Corp will send you a digital version (Certificate of Incorporation, Register of Shareholder/Directors, Share Certificate, Memorandum of Association and Articles etc.) via email. Full Belize Offshore Company kit will courier to your resident address by express (TNT, DHL or UPS etc.).

You can open bank account for your company in European, Hong Kong, Singapore or other jurisdictions supported offshore bank accounts! You are freedom international money transfer under your Belize Offshore Company.

Your Belize Company formation completed, ready to do international business!

Read more:

• Register company in Belize
• Open offshore bank account in Belize

The incorporation process takes only 1-2 days since we receive all required documents and payment from your side.

What is the Requirement for the Incorporation Process?

The requirement is simple. You just need to submit 2 types of documents:

• Scan in Color of Passport
• Scan of Address Proof in English (Utility Bill, Bank Statement,...)

See more: How to start a business in Belize

Since the Belize Companies Act 2022, International Business Companies (IBCs) have been merged into a unified Belize company regime. However, the term “IBC” is still commonly used in international practice to refer to offshore companies incorporated in Belize.

The cost to register an International Business Company (IBC) in Belize is generally viewed as the most competitive compared to other offshore jurisdictions. Usually, the first-year incorporation packages offered by service providers typically range from USD 800 to USD 1,200, including government fees, agent services, and compliance documents. The statutory government license fee itself starts from around USD 250, depending on the authorized capital.

Breakdown of Typical Costs

• Government Incorporation Fee: About USD 100 is the standard fee for a company with an authorized share capital of up to USD 50,000.
• Registered Agent and Office: It is a legal requirement in Belize and is expected to cost between USD 300 and USD 500 annually in a general case.
• Documentation and Compliance: Documentation and compliance support, such as preparing the Memorandum and Articles of Association and issuing share certificates, usually adds USD 200–300, depending on the provider’s service package.
• Annual Renewal Fees: From the second year onwards, the government renewal fee remains around USD 250–1,000, while full-service maintenance packages offered by agents are usually quoted between USD 600 and USD 900 annually.

Reasons for Belize IBCs Are Cost-Effective

• IBCs are free from capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax.
• Shareholder and director details are not publicly disclosed; however, beneficial ownership information must be maintained with the registered agent and may be provided to the authorities upon lawful request.
• The incorporation process is efficient and usually completed within 2 to 10 business days, depending on the service provider and regulatory processing time.
• Relatively small yearly upkeep fees in comparison with other offshore centers.

Offshore Company Services offers straightforward, all-inclusive packages for the registration of a Belize IBC. These packages cover company formation, registered agent and office, compliance advisory, and optional offshore bank account opening services, thereby guaranteeing a seamless and compliant setup without any hidden fees that might be a surprise.

=> Full Guide: Incorporating a Company in Belize

Non-payment of annual renewal fees will make the offshore company lose its status of good standing, the company will also incur severe late penalties and legal consequences.

At any time after the due-date of the Government fees, the Registrar of Companies is entitled to strike-off the company from the Registry for non-payment of fees, after giving the Company a 30-day notice.

Read more:

• Belize company formation
• Doing business in Belize

Registering a business name in Belize is the first step to forming your business. Protecting your business name is important because it is a form of identification among your target markets. This task will be undertaken by the Belize Company and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR). We encourage you to contact One IBC via phone or email, so we can help you with the procedure of business name registration in Belize.

Follow our 4 simple steps to register a business name in Belize:

Step 1: Place an order with One IBC

• For inquiries on fees and vetting of documents, kindly email to support@oneibc.com.
• Your order should include 3 proposed names, One IBC will conduct a company name search to make sure that your business name is unique and valid in Belize.

Step 2: Make payment

• The next step is to make your payment to One IBC. Make sure you’ve placed the order of all services that you need. Please see our Payment Guidelines for more details.

Step 3: Fill required documents

The required documents to register a business name in Belize must be filled accurately. The checklist of required documents is as follows:

• Registration of a company with and without Liability
• Overseas Registration
• Business Name Registration
• Limited Liability Partnership Registration

Step 4: Register your business name

• One IBC will submit your original documents to BCCAR. We keep you updated throughout the business name registration in Belize.

Belize is a world-famous offshore jurisdiction, with all the advantages that entails:

• Tax free for profit, dividends, added value, interest
• No restrictions on company owners and directors’ residency
• No requirements for financial reporting & audit.
• Disclosure of information about owners and shareholders.
• In Belize, there is no currency control.
• The governing law is based on English law.
• Belize is one of the offshore jurisdictions on the 'white list’ as FATF and OECD do not impose sanctions on Belize.

Belize, in general, is a good jurisdiction to form an offshore company. Therefore, knowing how to register a business name in Belize is highly recommended by One IBC before starting doing business there.

For more information about business name registration in Belize, please contact us via Hotline +65 6591 9991 or email support@oneibc.com.

When doing business in Belize, it is important to get the right business license for your company. Generally, there are two main types of Belize license that you must know:

Trade license in Belize

Businesses providing any kind of service or product in Belize have to obtain a trade license. You can register the license with the local city or town council. The fees for trade licenses in Belize are divided into sectors and charged based on the annual rental value of the property. For instance, supermarkets, grocery stores, furniture stores, and repair businesses are subject to a 3.5% fee. Hardware stores, gas stations, and dentistry offices are all subject to a 5% fee. For businesses engaging in gaming or monopolies, the highest rate is 25%.

Belize financial license

If your business operates in the international financial services industry in or from within Belize, you must carry a Belize financial license. The Belize Financial Service Commision (FSC) is in charge of granting the license. There are 13 types of Belize financial license, prominently including International asset protection and management, Money Transmission, Accounting, and Payment processing Services. The application fee is flat US$1,000 for each type, but the renewal fee is different ranging from US$5,000 to US$25,000.

There is no Seychelles capital gains tax; nor are interest - dividends and other payments received from abroad taxed.

Based on Seychelles Business Tax Act 2009, the Seychelles company tax rate (i.e. Seychelles corporate tax or business tax) is 25% on the first SR 1,000,000 of taxable income and 33% on the remainder.

The Seychelles IBC tax rate is 0%, which means offshore companies in Seychelles can optimize their tax flow, and increase their profits. In addition, company income derived from services outside of Seychelles will not be taxed on dividends, interests, royalties, or other payments paid out to its stakeholders.

For more information about Seychelles company tax rate, please contact us via Hotline +65 6591 9991 or email support@oneibc.com.

The summary of Seychelles tax guide for offshore companies:

• A 1.5% tax rate applied to special license companies;
• The applicable business tax rates for companies are 25% for the first 1,000,000 SCR and 33% on any amount above it;
• Seychelles capital gains are exempted;
• No stamp duty;
• A reduced VAT rate of 0%.

In case you are looking for more Seychelles tax guides, you can visit our website or contact our specialists directly via email/hotline.

Belize is well known in financial and investment circles for its favorable tax environment, and one of its most distinctive features is the treatment of capital gains. Unlike many jurisdictions that levy taxes on profits from the sale of assets such as property, shares, or other investments, Belize does not impose a capital gains tax on either residents or non-residents.

Key Points to Know

• No Capital Gains Tax: Belize does not impose a separate capital gains tax. While most investment profits are not taxed, certain types of income or transactions may still fall under other tax categories. 
• Corporate Perspective: International Business Companies (IBCs) are generally exempt from taxes on capital gains, dividends, and interest, provided their activities are conducted outside Belize. Domestic companies, however, remain subject to business taxes.
• Investor Advantage: This absence of a capital gains tax is particularly advantageous for international investors and corporations using Belize for offshore structuring, though domestic business activities remain subject to other forms of taxation.

Why Belize Takes This Approach

Belize’s tax policy is designed to attract foreign investment and global entrepreneurs. By not levying a capital gains tax, the government fosters offshore banking, company formation, and international trade activities, which contribute to job creation and service-sector growth.

Broader Tax Context

Although there is no capital gains tax, Belize does levy:

• A standard business tax on gross revenues for local companies.
• Stamp duties on certain property transactions.
• Import duties and other indirect taxes.

For international investors, the absence of capital gains tax makes Belize highly attractive for holding companies, asset management, and cross-border transactions.

Offshore Company Services helps clients take full advantage of Belize’s tax framework by providing company incorporation, offshore banking support, and compliance advisory services, ensuring investors can maximize benefits while meeting international standards.

=> Learn more: VAT Tax in the Bahamas

Since January 1, 2019, Belize international business companies (IBCs) are no longer automatically exempt from taxes. Like a domestic business, these IBCs are subject to the Belize Income and Business Tax Act (IBTA).

Under IBTA, Belize has a dual taxation system. Businesses are levied with two sorts of taxes:

• Belize business tax (equivalent to VAT) is computed on gross income or turnover;
• Belize corporate income tax (CIT) is computed on chargeable income.

The general Belize income tax rate is 25%.

The applicable Belize income tax rates for IBCs are as follows:

• 1.75% of chargeable income for businesses with gross receipts of more than BZD 3 million.
• 3% of chargeable income for businesses with gross receipts of less than BZD 3 million.
• Remarkably, an offshore company is not obligated to pay Belize income tax if its income is derived from trading activities or business outside of Belize.

According to the IBTA amendment in December 2019, no income tax will be required on chargeable income effective from January 1, 2020; except for companies engaged in petroleum operations.

The Belize business tax rate varies depending on the type of income and is set forth in the principal act's ninth schedule (IBTA).

Furthermore, Belize business tax is not applicable in the following cases:

• Companies that engage in petroleum operations.
• If the revenue or income is derived outside of Belize, IBCs operating in a trade, business, or profession are exempt from Belize business tax.
• Companies operating under the Designated processing area (DPA).

In order to be qualified for business tax exemption, IBCs must provide documents and proof of their foreign-sourced revenue/income. For further guidance, please feel free to contact us via email support@oneibc.com.vn.

See more: Belize offshore company formation