Bahamas Company Formation
The Bahamas are a well-established financial center, with a respected wealth management industry and an enviable location just off the United States.
What a Bahamas company is used for
The Bahamas International Business Company (IBC) is often used to hold investments, wealth management structures and shares in other businesses. With top-tier wealth managers and trust companies on the islands, many clients choose the Bahamas when they want their structure and their financial services in the same place.
Its proximity to the United States and its reputation as a regulated financial center also make it a natural choice for families looking for a solid, well-supervised structure. The Bahamas apply international transparency and tax cooperation standards, so the structure needs to be planned carefully and fully documented from the outset.
Typically a good fit for
- 01Holding investments and wealth management accounts.
- 02Families looking for a stable, regulated financial center.
- 03Structures linked to trusts and fiduciary services.
- 04Holding companies for stakes in international businesses.
How we set up your company
With the Bahamas we coordinate early with the wealth manager or advisors the client plans to work with, so the structure matches what they will expect to see.
- 01
Initial consultation
We talk through your business, your partners and what you want the new company to achieve.
- 02
Review and due diligence
We review the documents of the shareholders and beneficial owners and confirm the project is a good fit for the jurisdiction.
- 03
Incorporation
We prepare the formation documents and coordinate the filing with the local registered agent.
- 04
Handover and launch
You receive your corporate documents, and we guide you through the first steps to put it into operation.
What's included
We work with licensed registered agents in the Bahamas, who handle the filing and the company's registered office.
Incorporation
Name clearance, drafting of the constitutional documents and filing with the registry.
Corporate documents
Certificate of incorporation, first resolutions, share register and appointment of directors.
Registered agent
Registered agent and registered office through our correspondents in the jurisdiction.
Annual maintenance
Renewals, periodic filings and corporate updates handled on your behalf.
Ongoing counsel
Support with the company's corporate decisions: changes of directors, share issuances and shareholder arrangements.
Compliance and transparency
Every company we form goes through know-your-customer (KYC) due diligence: we identify the shareholders, directors and beneficial owners, and review the source of funds and the purpose of the structure. We only work on legitimate business and investment projects, and we follow the rules of each jurisdiction and international transparency standards, including beneficial ownership registers and economic substance requirements where they apply.
The Bahamas keep a beneficial ownership register and apply substance rules to certain activities; we prepare the paperwork so you are compliant from day one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bahamas IBC?
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It's the Bahamas international business company, designed for activities and investments outside the country. It's mainly used for asset holding and wealth management.
Why the Bahamas rather than another Caribbean jurisdiction?
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A well-established, regulated financial industry, proximity to the US and the presence of leading trust companies and wealth managers. It's a strong choice when the structure goes hand in hand with wealth management.
Can I use a Bahamas company for an operating business?
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It's possible, but it's more often chosen for investments and family wealth. For businesses with active clients and operations we compare other options first.
Do the Bahamas share information with other countries?
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Yes. The Bahamas take part in international tax information exchange, so structures must also comply with the rules where their owners live.
Who can be a director?
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Individuals or companies of any nationality. We advise on the best board composition for what the company will do.
Further reading
Other jurisdictions
Let's talk about your structure
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