| Legal system | English common law |
|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 0% |
| Public register | No public shareholder register |
| Min. directors | 1 (any nationality) |
| Formation (all-in) | $1,820 · with registered agent & office $2,190 |
| Annual renewal | $1,820 |
| Timeline | 2–4 business days after verification |
Why the British Virgin Islands
Over 40% of the world's international companies are BVI BCs — the default choice for holding structures, joint ventures and investment funds, recognised by banks and counterparties everywhere.
BVI BCs are the global standard: banks, brokers and lawyers everywhere know them, which makes account opening and transactions smoother than in less familiar jurisdictions. Economic-substance rules apply to certain activities — your agent will raise this before anything is filed if it affects your plans.
Who forms companies in the British Virgin Islands
- International holding companies — real estate, investment portfolios and intellectual property
- Cross-border consultants and service businesses invoicing clients internationally
- Joint ventures between partners in different countries who want neutral ground
- Families consolidating assets under a single, private structure
The process, step by step
- Order online at the published fixed fee — $2,190 all-in with registered agent & office, or $1,820 formation only.
- Verify once. We email you a secure identity-verification link; it takes about ten minutes. No documents are uploaded to this website.
- Name check and preparation. Your dedicated agent confirms name availability and prepares the filing with the licensed local provider.
- The registry completes formation — typically 2–4 business days.
- Delivery and beyond. Documents arrive digitally the day they issue, originals by courier — and the same agent handles your renewals every year after.
Naming your company
Company names in the British Virgin Islands must end with one of the permitted designations: Limited, Ltd, Corp, Corporation, Inc, Incorporated, S.A., Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima. Give us two name choices when you order — your agent checks availability with the registry before anything is filed.
Transparency and reporting
Modern offshore is transparent offshore. the British Virgin Islands participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS): banks and financial institutions automatically report account information to the account holder's home tax authority each year (the United States operates its own equivalent, FATCA). Economic-substance rules apply to certain activities, and beneficial-ownership information is held for regulators even where no public register exists. None of this affects a lawfully run structure: a company is a tool for organising your affairs, not for hiding them. Your agent flags anything that applies to your intended activity, and clients remain responsible for tax reporting wherever they are resident.
Annual obligations
Renewal is $1,820 per year, covering the registered agent, registered office and recurring government fees. Holding and international trading structures typically face minimal local filing — your agent confirms exactly what applies to your activity and handles renewal before it falls due.
What's included
- Name check and reservation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- First-year registered agent & office (full service)
- Government incorporation fees
- Registers, share certificates and first minutes
- Digital documents + originals by courier
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to incorporate in the British Virgin Islands?
The all-in formation fee is $1,820, or $2,190 including the first year of registered agent and office. Annual renewal is $1,820. Government charges and courier delivery are included, and every fee is published before you speak to us.
How long does incorporation take in the British Virgin Islands?
Typically 2–4 business days once identity verification is complete. Your dedicated agent gives you a precise expectation before anything is filed.
What is the corporate tax position in the British Virgin Islands?
0% Clients remain responsible for tax reporting in their home jurisdictions; we never provide tax advice.
Do I need to travel to the British Virgin Islands to form a company?
No. Formation is completed remotely: you order online, verify your identity once through a secure portal, and your documents are delivered digitally with originals couriered worldwide.
Is there a public register of owners in the British Virgin Islands?
No public shareholder register Ownership information is always collected privately for anti-money-laundering purposes, whatever the public position.
What are the annual costs after formation?
Renewal is $1,820 per year, covering the registered agent and office and recurring government fees. Your dedicated agent handles renewal before it falls due, every year.
Will the company's bank account be reported under CRS?
Generally yes. Banks report financial accounts and their controlling persons to the account holders' home tax authorities under the OECD Common Reporting Standard (or FATCA for US persons) — automatically, worldwide. Lawfully run structures are unaffected beyond normal home-country tax reporting.