In short
The BVI taxes your company’s profit at 0%, charges no VAT and withholds nothing on dividends. You still report and pay tax where you live.
Facts checked November 2026
British Virgin Islands company formation
A BVI Business Company with a licensed registered agent and office in Tortola, plus the incumbency certificate banks ask for.
BCfrom $1,999 one-time
- 2–5 days after KYC
- 0% BVI tax
- Nominee director option
At a glance
- Company types
- BVI Business Company from $1,999
- People
- At least one shareholder and one director. A nominee director is available for year one ($690).
- Registered agent
- A licensed BVI registered agent and office are mandatory. Ours in Tortola is included for year one.
- Shares
- Our standard setup authorises 50,000 no-par shares, which keeps the yearly government fee in the lowest band.
- For banks
- A certificate of incumbency listing your directors and shareholders.
- Government fees
- Included for year one. Then a yearly government fee, set by how many shares the company may issue.
- EU status
- On the EU grey list (Annex II) as of 9 October 2026.
- Every year
- The government licence fee, an economic substance return and an annual financial return to your agent.
- Timeline
- 2–5 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
0%
Corporate income tax
BVI companies are generally exempt from income tax and file no corporate tax return.
-
None
VAT or sales tax
The BVI has no VAT and no sales tax.
You personally
-
0%
Tax withheld on dividends
Nothing is withheld on dividends, interest or royalties the company pays out.
-
None
Tax treaties
The BVI has no double tax treaties, only agreements to exchange tax information.
0% in the BVI isn’t 0% for you. Your home country may tax the company’s profit under its controlled foreign company rules, or treat it as resident if it is managed from there. A company doing a relevant activity, such as holding, finance, IP or distribution, must show substance in the BVI.
How it works
-
Incorporate in the BVI
We draft and file your memorandum and articles of association.
You get: BVI company
-
Get a registered agent
Agent and office in Tortola, which every BVI company must have.
You get: Tortola office
-
Get your incumbency
Lists your directors and shareholders. Banks ask for it.
You get: Certificate of incumbency
-
Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Yearly licence fee and substance return, plus a financial return.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$1,999one-time
BVI BC, gov. fees included
- Memorandum and articles
- Year-one registered agent and office
- Incumbency certificate and annual return
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$2,499one-time
BVI BC, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- Year-one economic substance filing
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$3,399one-time
BVI BC, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Nominee director for year one
- Apostilled document set
- Priority support, same-day replies
Then $1,499 a year from month 13.
What you’ll need
- Certified copy of the passport of every shareholder and director
- Certified proof of address for each of them. We send the wording for the notary or lawyer
- Source of funds, such as a statement or bank reference
- Two company name choices. We add Ltd, Limited, Inc. or Corp.
- What the company will do, in plain words
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Your incumbency certificate lists your directors and shareholders. Banks ask for it.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Every year | Government licence fee, set by the company’s authorised shares |
| Every year | Economic substance return through your registered agent, even if the company is exempt. Included in Go for year one |
| 9 months after year end | Annual financial return to your registered agent. It isn’t public |
| Every year | Registered agent renewal, in our $1,499 annual plan from month 13 |
British Virgin Islands company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a BVI company?
Usually 2–5 days after your identity checks are approved.
Do I need a local director?
No. One shareholder and one director are enough. A licensed BVI registered agent and office are mandatory, and ours is included for year one.
How much tax does a BVI company pay?
The BVI charges 0% corporate income tax, has no VAT and withholds no tax on dividends. You may still owe tax where you live.
How many shares should the company have?
Our standard setup authorises 50,000 no-par shares, which keeps the yearly government fee in the lowest band.
What do I file every year?
The government licence fee, an economic substance return and an annual financial return to your registered agent within 9 months of year end. We send reminders.
What is economic substance?
Companies doing certain activities, such as holding, finance, IP, headquarters or distribution, must show adequate activity in the BVI. Every company files a yearly return, even if exempt.
Can you help me open a bank account?
Yes. Go includes a bank or EMI introduction, and Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
Can I move my existing BVI company to you?
Yes, for $350 plus the annual plan. Your current agent must confirm no fees are owed before the change is filed.
Sources (3)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
