BVI Company Formation

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are a group of Caribbean islands around fifty miles or eighty kilometres east of Puerto Rico. The BVI are a British territory that gained self-government in nineteen sixty-seven and are part of the Commonwealth. A BVI company (also known as an offshore company) is a company formed in the British Virgin Islands by one or more individuals or entities.

Green hills surround a turquoise bay with several anchored sailboats.

What Is an Offshore Company?

An offshore company is a company that does not conduct its actual business in its jurisdiction of incorporation. The BVI are among the world’s fastest-growing offshore investment centres and are considered one of the most attractive destinations for offshore company registration. With a stable political and economic environment, virtually no taxation of such offshore companies apart from an annual licence fee, and favourable tax laws within an established regulatory framework, forming a BVI company has become an ideal option for entrepreneurs and investors undertaking international trade, investment holding and asset planning. Our professional team offers one-stop BVI company registration services to help you enter global markets.

Features of a BVI Company

High Levels of Privacy

When you form a BVI company, details of its directors and shareholders do not need to be made available for public inspection, providing a high level of business privacy.

Low Taxation

A company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands is exempt from taxes on all business income and profits, apart from the statutory annual registration fee.

Political and Economic Stability

The British Virgin Islands perform strongly in key sectors such as tourism and international corporate services. Government support, developed offshore legislation and international accounting expertise make a BVI company an attractive choice.

A Well-Established Legal System

The British Virgin Islands have a sound legislative framework based on an independent British-style judicial system, providing strong protection for your assets.

An Advantageous Location

The BVI’s location offers favourable business conditions. The US dollar is the official currency, and there are no foreign exchange controls or restrictions on cash flows, allowing funds to move freely and facilitating international treasury management.

An International Business Presence

An internationally recognised BVI company can enhance your business profile and support overseas financing or a listing.

Our BVI Company Registration Package

Registration fees: from HK$9,500 (an additional fee applies for a Chinese company name)

Our one-stop BVI incorporation service includes the following documents and services:

  • Original Certificate of Incorporation
  • Accountant certification of the complete registration documents
  • A local BVI registered address
  • Professional registered agent fees
  • Government company registration fees
  • Register of Directors
  • Register of Members
  • Company constitution
  • Company seals and stamps, including a signature stamp, round stamp and common seal 
  • Share certificate book
  • Valid certificate issued within 6 months (Certificate of Incumbency)

Start Your Business Your Way

Whether you prefer the convenience of completing the process online or visiting M&N’s office to speak with our advisers, our professional team provides flexible support to help you start your business quickly.

Benefits of Forming a BVI Company

  • Stable government
  • British-style judicial system
  • Privacy protection, without public disclosure of shareholder and director identities
  • No company secretary required
  • No tax returns or tax payments required
  • Chinese company names permitted
  • No annual returns, audit reports or financial statements need to be submitted
  • An international business profile that supports financing

BVI Company Formation Requirements

  • Standard authorised share capital for a BVI company: US$50,000, with shares of US$1 each; capital >US$50,000 is quoted separately
  • At least 1 director and shareholder (who may be the same person)
  • No maximum number of directors
  • Directors may be individuals or companies
  • Directors may be Hong Kong residents or non-residents
  • Please provide directors’/shareholders’ identification documents
  • Please provide directors’/shareholders’ valid proof of address in English issued within 3 months

 

Formation Process for a New or Shelf BVI Company:

  1. Enquire about a new or shelf BVI company. For a new company, provide a proposed name for a name search. Our staff will supply the available shelf company list.
  2. Please provide directors’/shareholders’ identification documents and directors’/shareholders’ valid proof of address in English issued within 3 months
  3. A member of our team will contact you to verify your identity.
  4. After reviewing the required information, we will send an invoice for the total fee by WhatsApp or email.
  5. Once payment is received, we prepare the formal registration documents promptly
  6. Sign the formal registration documents at our office, or receive them by courier and return the signed originals to us
  7. Once we receive the original documents and verify the details, we will submit the BVI registration documents and fees.
  8. If needed, you may collect the incorporation certificate and company document kit first.
  9. When the process is complete, we will notify you to collect the documents or arrange courier delivery.
  10. Your BVI company registration is complete and you can start your business.

**After documents and payment are received, a new BVI company’s document kit is usually available within 7-10 working days. A shelf BVI company may require an additional 1-2 working days

Contact Us to Start Your Global Business

Ready to benefit from a BVI company? Contact our specialist team today for a free consultation and efficient, straightforward BVI company registration.

Why Do Entrepreneurs Choose M&N Business Services?

  • Licensed in Hong Kong: M&N Business Services Limited is a licensed company secretarial provider recognised by the Hong Kong government, offering dependable services.
  • One-stop services: from company formation, company secretarial services, accounting and tax filing to virtual offices, we provide everything in one place, saving you the effort of coordinating multiple providers.
  • An Experienced Team: Over the years, we have helped many SMEs and start-ups register successfully and handle complex situations.
  • Clear, Transparent Fees: Our service plans have clearly stated prices with no hidden charges, so you can engage us with confidence.

Related BVI Company Registration Services

Company Incorporation Services

Company Secretarial Services

Tax Filing Services

Virtual Offices

Frequently Asked Questions

At least one shareholder and one director are required, and the shareholder may also act as director. Before incorporation, directors may be individuals or companies.

Yes. A corporate entity may be a shareholder of a BVI company.

A BVI company’s standard authorised share capital is US$50,000. Fees differ for more than 50000 shares. Contact our team for details.

When you form a BVI company, shareholder details are not publicly searchable. International requirements therefore mean banks have specific requirements for opening accounts for a BVI company, including:

  1.  Shareholders must provide valid personal proof of address, such as a water bill, electricity bill or bank statement, and proof of the BVI company’s address. If your BVI company is your first company and you cannot provide valid company address evidence, the bank will request proof of another company address.
  2. Copies certified by an accountant or lawyer: the Certificate of Incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, Certificate of Good Standing, consent to act as director, and registers of shareholders and directors.

Requirements vary by bank. Contact us to learn more about forming a BVI company.

After registration, we provide the Certificate of Incorporation, company seal, memorandum and articles of association and other documents. We can also help apply to the local government for a certificate confirming the company’s existence.

Common uses include holding accounts, trusts and funds. Some clients form a BVI company to hold shares in another company, buildings or other real estate.

No. Most offshore companies, including BVI companies, only need to keep director or shareholder details with the local agent.

A BVI company must renew its licence annually to maintain its legal status.

– Companies incorporated in months 1-6 must pay the licence fee in month 5 of the following year.

– Companies incorporated in months 7-12 must pay the licence fee in month 11 of the following year.

– An additional licence fee applies if the number of registered shares has increased.

No, but changing directors incurs an additional fee.

Requirements vary by bank. Contact us to learn more about forming a BVI company.