Jurisdictions
Each jurisdiction below has a company formation fee, a licensing support fee, and notes on who it suits. All fees are indicative. The exact quote is confirmed in writing after identity screening.
Saint Lucia
Often used for holding and general commercial structures. Local rules for virtual asset and payment activity should be confirmed before you commit to a business model.
| Service | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Company formation | $3,800 to $5,500 |
| Licensing support (virtual asset, payment or related) | $8,200 to $12,000 |
| Minimum to start | $3,500 |
Typical use: Holding and general commercial structures.
Regulatory profile: Company registry; confirm the current regime for any regulated activity.
Substance expectation: Low to moderate.
Company formation includes
- Incorporation of the company under the local companies law
- Registered office and registered agent for the first year
- Standard constitutional documents and certificate of incorporation
- Preparation of the identity and beneficial-ownership file
- Introduction support for bank account applications (no guarantee of opening)
Documents we usually ask for
- Passport or national ID for each director and beneficial owner
- Proof of address dated within the last three months
- Short CV or professional profile for each director
- Source-of-funds explanation and bank reference where available
- Brief description of the business activity and expected transactions
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Often used for holding and general commercial structures. Virtual asset and payment rules are set by local law and change, so confirm them at the enquiry stage.
| Service | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Company formation | $3,800 to $6,000 |
| Licensing support (virtual asset, payment or related) | $8,200 to $13,000 |
| Minimum to start | $3,700 |
Typical use: Holding and general commercial structures.
Regulatory profile: Company registry; confirm the current regime for any regulated activity.
Substance expectation: Low to moderate.
Company formation includes
- Incorporation of the company under the local companies law
- Registered office and registered agent for the first year
- Standard constitutional documents and certificate of incorporation
- Preparation of the identity and beneficial-ownership file
- Introduction support for bank account applications (no guarantee of opening)
Documents we usually ask for
- Passport or national ID for each director and beneficial owner
- Proof of address dated within the last three months
- Short CV or professional profile for each director
- Source-of-funds explanation and bank reference where available
- Brief description of the business activity and expected transactions
Mauritius
Used for regulated financial, investment and fund-related activity. Expect the Financial Services Commission to review the application and expect substance requirements, such as local presence and directors.
| Service | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Company formation | $4,500 to $7,000 |
| Licensing support (virtual asset, payment or related) | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Minimum to start | $3,900 |
Typical use: Regulated financial, investment and fund-related activity.
Regulatory profile: Financial Services Commission oversees licensed activity.
Substance expectation: Moderate to high.
Company formation includes
- Incorporation of the company under the local companies law
- Registered office and registered agent for the first year
- Standard constitutional documents and certificate of incorporation
- Preparation of the identity and beneficial-ownership file
- Introduction support for bank account applications (no guarantee of opening)
Documents we usually ask for
- Passport or national ID for each director and beneficial owner
- Proof of address dated within the last three months
- Short CV or professional profile for each director
- Source-of-funds explanation and bank reference where available
- Brief description of the business activity and expected transactions
Seychelles
Often used for holding and international business structures. Regulated activity is supervised by the Financial Services Authority, so confirm which authority applies to your activity.
| Service | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Company formation | $3,800 to $6,500 |
| Licensing support (virtual asset, payment or related) | $18,000 to $22,000 |
| Minimum to start | $3,900 |
Typical use: Holding and international business structures.
Regulatory profile: Company registry; the Financial Services Authority oversees regulated activity.
Substance expectation: Low to moderate.
Company formation includes
- Incorporation of the company under the local companies law
- Registered office and registered agent for the first year
- Standard constitutional documents and certificate of incorporation
- Preparation of the identity and beneficial-ownership file
- Introduction support for bank account applications (no guarantee of opening)
Documents we usually ask for
- Passport or national ID for each director and beneficial owner
- Proof of address dated within the last three months
- Short CV or professional profile for each director
- Source-of-funds explanation and bank reference where available
- Brief description of the business activity and expected transactions
How to choose a jurisdiction
- Your activity decides which authority applies. A holding structure and a regulated payment business are treated differently.
- Substance expectations differ. Some jurisdictions expect a local director, office or staff, and that cost is extra.
- Fees differ across the minimum to start, company formation and licensing support. Compare the total, not just one line.
- Banking relationships vary. We offer introduction support only and cannot guarantee that a bank will open an account.
Questions
Is company formation the same as a licence?
No. Company formation and licensing support are separate services. Whether you need a licence depends on your activity, so confirm it with local counsel before you commit.
Do I need a local director?
Requirements differ by jurisdiction and by activity. We confirm them during the scope review, before you pay anything beyond the minimum.
How long does formation take?
It depends on screening, registry processing and how complete your documents are. The written quote gives an estimate for your case.
Jurisdictions at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Minimum to start | Company formation | Licensing support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Lucia | $3,500 | $3,800 to $5,500 | $8,200 to $12,000 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $3,700 | $3,800 to $6,000 | $8,200 to $13,000 |
| Mauritius | $3,900 | $4,500 to $7,000 | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Seychelles | $3,900 | $3,800 to $6,500 | $18,000 to $22,000 |
All figures are indicative. The exact quote is confirmed in writing after identity and source-of-funds screening.
Facts about each jurisdiction
General information to help you compare the four jurisdictions. Laws and regulators change, so confirm the current position with local counsel before you commit.
About Saint Lucia
Company limited by shares is the usual structure for holding and trading companies. Every company needs a registered office in the country, and a registered agent where the law requires one.
Directors and shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities. Confirm residency and nationality rules during the scope review, because they can change the documents we need.
Local and international banks run their own checks before they open an account, so an account is never guaranteed, even after the company is formed.
Saint Lucia is part of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The Caribbean hurricane season runs from June to November, which can delay in-person steps such as signing and document collection.
About Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The country is the main island of Saint Vincent together with the Grenadines, a chain of smaller islands. Services such as couriers and notaries can be concentrated on the main island, so ask us where the documents will be signed.
Company limited by shares is the usual structure for holding companies. A registered agent and registered office are usually needed in the country. Confirm which statutory registers the agent keeps.
Like Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent is in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and shares the Eastern Caribbean dollar. Banking is run by local and international banks that make their own decisions.
The hurricane season runs from June to November, so plan signing and document collection outside those months where you can.
About Mauritius
Mauritius sits in the Indian Ocean. Its business day overlaps with the afternoon in Europe and the morning in Asia, which helps with calls across both regions.
Regulated financial and investment activity is supervised by the Financial Services Commission. Expect the regulator to look closely at local management, governance and substance.
Mauritius has a network of double taxation treaties. Whether a structure can use them depends on its facts, its substance and the rules in force at the time, so tax advice from a qualified adviser is essential.
A company that needs a local bank, administrator or auditor should ask us early, because these providers run their own checks on the client and its activity.
About Seychelles
Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean made up of more than one hundred islands. Most business and government services are on Mahé, the main island.
Regulated activity, including virtual asset and payment services, follows rules set in local law. Confirm which authority supervises your activity and what it expects before you apply.
Companies usually need a registered agent in Seychelles, who can keep statutory records and assist with filings. Confirm which records are public and which are restricted.
Seychelles and Mauritius both use the Indian Ocean time zone, so meetings with Mauritius-based providers are easy to schedule.