| Main corporate features | |
| General | |
| Type of Company | IBC |
| Type of Law | Hybrid |
| Shelf company Availability | Yes |
| Company Registration Period | 2 days |
| Corporate Taxation | Nil |
| Double Taxation Treaty Access | No |
| Automatic Information Exchange Agreement | Yes |
| Share capital | |
| Standard Currency | US$ |
| Permitted Currencies | Any |
| Minimum Paid-Up Capital | US$1 |
| Bearer shares | Yes |
| Directors | |
| Minimum Number | One |
| Residency Requirement | No |
| Publicly Accessible Records | No |
| Board of Directors’ Meeting Location | Anywhere |
| Shareholders | |
| Minimum Number | One |
| Residency Requirement | No |
| Publicly Accessible Records | No |
| Place of holding of Meetings of Shareholders | Anywhere |
| Company Secretary | |
| Secretary Appointment | No |
| Keeping of records | |
| Preparation Requirements | Yes |
| Annual Return | No |
| Audit Requirements | No |
| Account Filing Requirements | No |
| Publicly Accessible Accounts | No |
| Recurring Government Costs | |
|
Incorporation Fees (share capital less than USD 50 000) |
US$100 |
| Annual Fees (share capital less that USD 50 000) | US$100 |
|
Incorporation Fees (share capital more than USD 50 000) |
US$1000 |
| Annual Fees (share capital more than USD 50 000) | US$1000 |
Corporate Legislation
The modern legislative system is based on IBC Act of 1990 (as amended). As per the law provision an offshore company (IBC) registered in Belize can be engaged in any business activity worldwide or any other activity that can be prohibited by any current law.
Type of Company used for International Business and Investments
IBC - International Business Company
Business Activities
Any activity allowed by IBC Act, 1990 (as amended), except for banking, insurance and trust activity.
Obligatory Requirements to Offshore Company
IBC should have a Registered Office and Registered Agent in the Belize and cannot conduct business operation on the territory of Belize.
Taxation
The offshore company is exempted from taxes on 100%.
Authorized Share Capital
There is no requirements to the size of authorized share capital.
Standard Authorized Share Capital is 50,000 USD divided into 50,000 shares of 1 USD each.
There is no requirement for payment of share capital.
Bearer Shares
Bearer shares are permitted, but must be held in the custody of a licensed provider of such services.
No par value Shares
Yes.
Shareholders and Directors
The minimum number of Shareholders - one (physical or legal person).
The minimum number of Directors - one (physical or legal person).
There is no requirement to nationality and residence. One and the same person can be director and shareholder.
Registers of directors and shareholders are not publicly available.
Company Secretary
The secretary is not required by law. It is optional.
Disclosure of Information on Beneficial Owner and Bank Operations
Information is not available to the third parties.
Shareholders/Directors Meetings
Meetings of shareholders and directors can be carried out worldwide.
Filing of Annual Accounts
No.
Filing of Annual Return
No.
Keeping of Documents of the Company
The place of keeping of operational documentation (resolution, minutes of meeting etc.) of the company is at the discretion of the directors. The exceptions are registers of directors and shareholders which are to be kept at the registered address of the company.
Registration Time Frame
IBC can be registered within 2 working days.
Shelf Company Availability
Available.
Redomiciliation
It is possible "to import" foreign IBC to jurisdiction of Belize and also Belize offshore company can be "exported" to other offshore jurisdictions.
General Information
Belize - this is one of the most popular offshore jurisdictions.
The state is located in Central America and it borders on Mexico. Until recently, the country was a British colony, and it gained independence in 1981. Entrepreneurs from around the world have run their businesses in Belize successfully with guaranteed confidentiality of information on their assets. The most popular company type that can be registered in Belize is IBC (International Business Company). Offshore activities are implemented based on the International Business Companies adopted in 1990 and amended in 2000. Currently, Belize exercises a law that is considered to be one of the most inviting to IBC companies.