Set up your business in Belize
Belize International Business Company (IBC) Incorporation
A Belize based Offshore Company or International Business Company (IBC) offers prospective individual and corporations an ideal environment to form an offshore company. Belize enacted the Companies Act in 1990 that created the legal structure for the offshore sector, which was further amended in 2000 to provide for added layers of flexibility and confidentiality which further strengthened the business environment and created more areas of investment for global investors.
Type Of Law
As a former British colony, Belize’s legal system as well as their contract and commercial law is based on English Common Law, which is supplemented by local legislation. Similarly, the court system is also based on the English style together with the final Court of Appeal being the Privy Council in England.
Benefits Of Belize As A Tax Haven
Forming an International Business Company (IBC) in Belize has many advantages including, but not limited to:
- Asset protection
- Flexible currency holdings
- Fast IBC Registry
- No reporting or accounting requirements
- Robust and diversified national economy
- Only country in Central America having English as its official language
- No currency restrictions
- Exemption from Capital Gains
Things To Consider
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ulla
- Directors and Shareholders are public information (using our nominees can resolve this)
- Annual accounts must be audited and filed (but information is not publicly available)
- Local resident secretary must be appointed (nominee provided)
- Annual fees are higher than what is normal in most other IBC jurisdictions, because of the requirements for filing company financials.
Requirements
There are few requirements needed to establish a Belize IBC.
- Filing requirements are limited to a Memorandum, Articles of Association, and name an address of registered agent
- A Registered Agent will deliver the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association to the Registry together with the appropriate fee
- Any individual or group of individuals may incorporate a company·
Registration Package
Includes:
- Government Registration Fee (First year)
- Registered Office Address (First year)
- Registered Agent Services (First year)
- Company Secretarial Maintenance
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memo & Articles of Association
- Appointment of 1st Directors
- Consent Actions of the BOD
- Share Certificates
- Register of Directors
- Register of Officers
- Register of Shareholders
- FREE Phone and/or email consultations
Key Corporate Features
| Belize IBC | Corporate Details |
| General | |
| Type of Entity | Limited by Shares |
| Type of Law | English Common Law |
| Governed by | International Business Companies Act of 1990 |
| Registered Office in Belize | Yes |
| Shelf company availability | Yes |
| Our time to establish a new company | One business day |
| Minimum government fees (excluding taxation) | USD $100 |
| Corporate Taxation | No |
| Access to Double Taxation Treaties | Yes |
| Share capital or equivalent | |
| Standard currency | US Dollar Belize dollar (Official currency); fixed to USD $1 = $2 Belize |
| Permitted currencies | Any |
| Minimum paid up | No minimum |
| Usual authorized | Any amount (USD $50,000 optimal) |
| Bearer shares allowed | Yes |
| No par value shares allowed | Yes |
| Directors | |
| Minimum number | One |
| Local required | No |
| Publicly accessible records | No |
| Location of meetings | Anywhere |
| Corporate directorship allowed | Yes |
| Shareholders | |
| Minimum number | One |
| Publicly accessible records | No |
| Corporate shareholder allowed | Yes |
| Location of meetings | Anywhere |
| Company Secretary | |
| Required | No |
| Local or qualified | No |
| Accounts | |
| Requirements to prepare | Yes |
| Audit requirements | No |
| Requirements to file accounts | Yes |
| Publicly accessible accounts | No |
| Recurring Government Costs | |
| Minimum Annual Tax | USD $100 |
| Annual Return Filing Fee | USD $100-$1000 depending on the amount of authorized capital (*See Corporate Details section below for details) |
| Other | |
| Requirement to file annual return | No |
| Migration of domicile permitted | Yes |
Belize Company Incorporation Process
To register a company in Belize, you must select an approved name, submit the required documents including articles of incorporation, and pay the applicable fees. This process can typically be completed within 1-2 days upon validation of your identification documents.
Choosing a Company Name
Your first step in incorporating a company in Belize is to select a unique company name that complies with local regulations—ensuring it is not already in use or similar to existing companies. This name will be a representation of your company’s brand and identity, so choose wisely.
Appointing Directors and Members
For a Belizean company, you must appoint at least one director and one member—these could be the same person. The director is responsible for managing company affairs, and members (or shareholders) own the company through their shareholdings.
Share Capital and Shareholders
Next, decide on the share capital structure of your company. This includes the number of shares, types of shares, and the value of each share. Shareholders invest in these shares, which define ownership proportions in the company. This structure influences both your company’s financing and voting power.
Registered Office and Agent
Your company must have a registered office in Belize—this serves as the official address for government correspondence. Also, appoint a registered agent, who is responsible for accepting legal documents on your company’s behalf and ensuring compliance with local laws.
Certificates and Other Legal Documents
Finally, to formalize your company’s existence, you must file for a Certificate of Incorporationwith the Belize Registrar of Companies along with other required legal documents. Once approved, this certificate serves as legal proof that your company is officially registered and authorized to conduct business.
Additional services we provide
How to Register?
From company order, name check and reservation, documentary requirements guidelines, feedback and timing. Step by step guide how a new offshore company registration normally happens in Belize.