Seychelles IBC requirements are among the lightest of any major offshore jurisdiction. You need at least 1 director, 1 shareholder, a unique company name, a licensed registered agent, and a standard KYC document package. No travel, no minimum share capital, no physical presence in Seychelles.
This guide covers every requirement in detail: who can serve as director and shareholder, what documents you need to prepare, how company naming works, and what ongoing obligations apply once your IBC is incorporated.
Key Takeaways
- 1 director and 1 shareholder are required. Both can be the same person. No nationality or residency restrictions.
- No minimum share capital. Most IBCs use 1,000 shares at USD 1 par value.
- KYC documents for all directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners are required before submission.
- A licensed Seychelles registered agent is mandatory. Air Corporate handles this as part of every package.
- Incorporation is fully remote. No travel to Seychelles required at any stage.
Director Requirements
A Seychelles IBC requires at least 1 director. There is no maximum number of directors.
| Director requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum number | 1 |
| Type | Natural person or corporate entity |
| Nationality restrictions | None |
| Residency restrictions | None |
| Age requirement | Must be of legal age (18+) for natural persons |
| Director also shareholder | Permitted |
| Corporate director | Permitted (requires corporate resolution appointing a natural person to act) |
Directors are responsible for the management of the company. They sign contracts, resolutions, and banking documents on behalf of the IBC. There is no requirement for the director to be resident in Seychelles or to hold any particular nationality.
A corporate director (a company acting as director) is permitted under the IBC Act 2016. In practice, most founders use a natural person as director for simplicity. Corporate directors are more common in nominee arrangements or complex holding structures where another entity manages the IBC.
Tip
If you want additional privacy, a nominee director service is available. A licensed third party serves as the named director, while you retain full control through a power of attorney. This is optional and not required for most structures.
Shareholder Requirements
A Seychelles IBC requires at least 1 shareholder. There is no maximum.
| Shareholder requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum number | 1 |
| Type | Natural person or corporate entity |
| Nationality restrictions | None |
| Residency restrictions | None |
| Same person as director | Permitted |
| Bearer shares | Not permitted under the 2016 Act |
Shareholders own the IBC through shares. The share register is maintained privately by the registered agent. No shareholder information is disclosed on any public register.
Bearer shares were abolished under the IBC Act 2016 reform. All shares must be registered to named shareholders. This change aligned Seychelles with FATF standards on beneficial ownership transparency.
Company Name Requirements
Your company name must meet the following rules before it can be registered.
It must be unique. The proposed name cannot be identical or deceptively similar to an existing company on the Seychelles register. Your registered agent checks availability before submission. This check typically takes a few hours.
It must include a corporate suffix. The name must end with one of the following approved designations:
- Limited / Ltd
- Incorporated / Inc
- Corporation / Corp
- Société Anonyme / S.A.
Restricted words require prior approval. Names containing the following words cannot be used without prior written approval from the Financial Services Authority (FSA):
| Restricted word | Reason for restriction |
|---|---|
| Bank / Banking | Regulated financial activity |
| Insurance | Regulated financial activity |
| Trust | Regulated financial activity |
| Fund / Mutual Fund | Regulated financial activity |
| Royal | Crown association |
| Government | Suggests state connection |
| Municipal | Suggests local authority connection |
| Seychelles | Suggests government connection |
Most standard holding company, trading company, and investment vehicle names do not trigger any restricted word issues. The vast majority of names are approved without additional steps.
It must not be offensive or misleading. Names that suggest false legitimacy, misrepresent the company's activities, or are offensive under Seychelles law will be rejected.
Share Capital Requirements
There is no minimum share capital requirement for a Seychelles IBC. The company does not need to deposit any funds with the government or a bank to be incorporated.
The standard structure used by most IBCs is:
- Authorised share capital: 1,000 shares at USD 1 par value (total nominal capital: USD 1,000)
- Issued shares: 1 or more shares to the founder(s)
This is a bookkeeping convention, not a cash requirement. No funds are transferred. The share structure simply defines ownership percentages.
Custom share structures are available. Multiple share classes with different voting rights, dividend rights, or redemption terms can be created in the Memorandum of Association. This is relevant for joint ventures or structures with multiple investors who want differentiated rights.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
Both a registered agent and a registered office address in Seychelles are mandatory requirements under the IBC Act 2016.
Registered agent: A licensed Seychelles-based firm authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The registered agent files the incorporation application, maintains the statutory registers, and acts as the official point of contact for government and regulatory communications. You cannot incorporate a Seychelles IBC without a licensed registered agent.
Registered office: A physical address in Seychelles where official documents and legal notices are served. This address appears on the public register. It is provided by the registered agent and does not need to be the company's actual place of business.
At Air Corporate, both the registered agent service and registered office address are included in all incorporation packages. See our Seychelles company formation packages for full details.
Ready to incorporate? Start your Seychelles IBC from USD 950 →
KYC Documents Required
KYC (Know Your Customer) documentation is required for all directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners before the application can be submitted. This is a regulatory requirement under Seychelles AML law.
For each natural person (director, shareholder, beneficial owner):
| Document | Specification |
|---|---|
| Passport or national ID | Certified copy, valid, not expired |
| Proof of residential address | Utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months |
| Source of funds declaration | Brief written explanation of how funds were accumulated |
For each corporate entity acting as director or shareholder:
| Document | Specification |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Incorporation | Certified copy |
| Memorandum and Articles | Certified copy |
| Register of Directors | Certified copy |
| Register of Shareholders / Members | Certified copy |
| Proof of registered address | Recent utility bill or official correspondence |
| KYC documents for ultimate beneficial owners | Same as natural person requirements above |
Certification: Passport and ID copies must be certified. Acceptable certifiers include a notary public, a lawyer, a bank officer, or an accountant. Air Corporate will confirm the exact certification standard accepted for your jurisdiction before you submit.
Source of funds: This does not require proof of specific transactions. A short written declaration explaining the general source of the funds used or to be used by the company is sufficient for most standard structures. More detailed documentation may be required for higher-risk profiles or large fund flows.
Constitutional Documents
The primary constitutional document for a Seychelles IBC is the Memorandum of Association (MOA). The MOA is prepared by the registered agent and defines:
- The company name
- The registered office address in Seychelles
- The objects of the company (what the company is authorised to do)
- The share structure (number of authorised shares, par value, share classes)
- The liability of members (limited by shares in most cases)
Standard objects clause: Most IBCs use a broad, general objects clause that permits any lawful business activity outside Seychelles. This avoids the need to amend the MOA as the company's activities evolve.
Custom objects clauses: Required for regulated activities or structures with specific governance requirements. Custom drafting takes longer and costs more than a standard template.
Standard MOA templates are pre-approved by the Registrar of Companies. Using a pre-approved template is the fastest path to incorporation and adds no risk for most structures.
Ongoing Compliance Requirements
Once incorporated, a Seychelles IBC has minimal ongoing obligations compared to onshore companies and many other offshore structures.
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Annual government licence fee | USD 100-150 per year (included in renewal fee) |
| Annual renewal with registered agent | Yes — covers all mandatory services |
| Annual return filing | No |
| Financial statements filing | No |
| Audit requirement | No |
| Beneficial ownership register | Required — maintained privately by registered agent |
| Economic substance reporting | Only if conducting a relevant activity |
| Director/shareholder changes | Can be made at any time; registered agent updates registers |
Annual renewal at Air Corporate is USD 1,650, covering corporate secretary services, registered address, statutory register maintenance, mail handling, and document portal access. For a full cost breakdown, see our Seychelles IBC cost guide.
Beneficial ownership register: The IBC Act requires all IBCs to maintain an up-to-date beneficial ownership register with the registered agent. This register is private and not accessible to the public. It is available to Seychelles authorities under international information exchange agreements.
Economic substance: If the IBC conducts a "relevant activity" (banking, insurance, fund management, IP exploitation, shipping, or holding company business in certain cases), economic substance requirements apply. Most holding, trading, and investment IBCs do not conduct a relevant activity and are not affected.
Full Requirements Checklist
Use this checklist before starting your incorporation.
People and ownership
- At least 1 director identified (natural person or corporate entity)
- At least 1 shareholder identified (can be same as director)
- Beneficial owner(s) identified
Documents — for each natural person (director, shareholder, beneficial owner)
- Certified passport or national ID copy
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, dated within 3 months)
- Source of funds declaration
Documents — for each corporate entity (if acting as director or shareholder)
- Certified Certificate of Incorporation
- Certified Memorandum and Articles
- Certified Register of Directors
- Certified Register of Shareholders
- Proof of registered address
- KYC documents for all underlying beneficial owners
Company setup
- Company name chosen (unique, corporate suffix, no restricted words)
- Share structure decided (standard: 1,000 shares at USD 1)
- Objects clause confirmed (standard general clause or custom)
Service provider
- Licensed registered agent engaged
- Registered office address confirmed
Once all of the above is in place, incorporation takes 1 to 2 business days. See our complete step-by-step formation guide for the full process. Not sure if an IBC is the right structure for your needs? Read our Seychelles IBC explainer or compare the main structure options in our Seychelles IBC vs LLC guide.
Form your Seychelles IBC with Air Corporate →. Packages from USD 950, incorporated in 1 to 2 business days.
