Foreign companies that want to enter the Seychelles market can establish a branch as a practical way to operate locally without creating a separate legal entity. Our specialists in company formation in Seychelles can assist you to establish a branch in Seychelles, from document preparation to the main post-registration formalities required.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| How branches work |
Branches in Seychelles operate as extensions of a foreign company. They are not considered separate legal entities, but rather an integral part of the parent-company. |
|
Physical presence required for incorporation (YES/NO) |
No, our company formation specialists can handle the entire incorporation process on your behalf. |
|
Minimum capital required |
None |
| Differences from a subsidiary |
– different types of entities, – the parent-company’s liability is limited to its investment in the subsidiary, – the subsidiary’s operations and decisions are independent from the parent company |
| Minimum shareholders |
1 |
| Can it hire employees? |
Yes |
| Accounting |
Report the financial transactions and activities of the branch as part of the parent-company’s financial statements. |
| Documents required to open a branch in Seychelles |
– business address and share capital of the parent-company, – Memorandum and Articles of Association, – director information, etc. |
| Liability |
The liability of the branch is essentially an extension of the parent-company’s liability. |
| Incorporation time (approx.) | 4 weeks |
| Representative required (YES/NO) |
Yes, you need to appoint at least 2 representatives. |
| Taxation of branches |
corporate income tax (15%/25%) |
| Number of double taxation treaties signed by Seychelles (approx.) |
22 |
| Advantages of opening a branch in Seychelles |
– fast and easy registration, – simple procedure, – no share capital required, – low taxes, – no physical presence required |
| Assistance | We can help you with company incorporation in Seychelles, including establishing a branch in the country. |
Table of Contents
How branches work in Seychelles?
Foreign companies can establish a branch in Seychelles when they want to operate locally without incorporating a separate Seychelles company. In practice, the branch works as an extension of the parent company.
Under the Seychelles Companies Ordinance, the rules for overseas companies apply when a foreign company establishes a place of business or carries on business in Seychelles.
A foreign company may be considered as carrying on business locally if:
- it enters into contracts connected with its business;
- appoints a local agent;
- uses assets in Seychelles for business purposes;
- performs other activities that create a commercial presence in the jurisdiction.
Branches are normally subject to lower expenses and are seen as permanent establishments from a taxation point of few, remembering the fact that such entities are not considered separate legal structures.
Here are some key facts about opening a branch here:
- a branch operates as an extension of the foreign parent company;
- the parent company remains liable for the branch’s obligations, debts and activities;
- there is no minimum share capital requirement for opening a branch in Seychelles;
- local representatives must be appointed for the branch;
- a branch can carry out commercial activities in Seychelles;
- tax registration is required if the branch carries on business locally;
- the usual registration timeline is around 4 weeks, depending on how quickly the documents are prepared and approved;
- the registration procedure can be completed remotely through a power of attorney.
The infographic below presents the benefits of establishing a branch in Seychelles in 2026:
How to set up a branch in Seychelles in 2026?
The main rules of establishing a branch in Seychelles in 2026 are the same as for any kind of non-resident companies in any state.
The parent documents are necessary at the time or branch registration in this jurisdiction, and furthermore, a local representative must be appointed.
Entrepreneurs should consider the following conditions when opening a branch in Seychelles:
- offer complete details about the parent company such as the business address, the share capital;
- the parent company’s memorandum and articles of association must also be filed with the Trade Register in Seychelles;
- information about the branch office – its registered address in Seychelles and the schedule.
We can offer comprehensive support and guidelines for foreigners who want to establish a branch in Seychelles.
What documents are required for branch registration in Seychelles?
If you consider opening a branch here, you should prepare the following documents:
- certificate of incorporation of the parent company;
- memorandum and articles of association;
- details of the directors and company secretary;
- details of the registered office of the parent company;
- corporate decision or resolution approving the opening of the Seychelles branch;
- details of the branch address in Seychelles;
- details of the local representatives appointed for the branch;
- power of attorney, if the registration procedure is completed remotely;
- certified translations into English, where the original documents are issued in another language.
Why open a Seychelles branch office in 2026?
At the level of 2026, the branch office is ideal for foreign companies who seek to have an established presence in Seychelles without registering a new company.
The Seychelles branch office is also a more suitable option than the representative office which cannot undertake any type of commercial activity.
From an accounting point of view, the branch office is a Seychelles resident company only if it is managed from an office located in the insular state, a regulation that is required in 2026.
Please mind that if you want to open a branch office in Seychelles you must apply for a license provided that the entity is set up by a financial institution operating abroad.
If you will start the procedure in 2026, you can obtain a corporate bank account in a period of 3 weeks. The video below presents the steps for opening a branch in Seychelles:
How can we help you establish a branch in Seychelles?
Our team can assist foreign companies through the entire branch registration process. We start with the review of the parent company documents and the preparation of the registration file.
We can help you understand the local requirements, prepare the documents that must be submitted and arrange certified translations into English, where necessary.
If the registration is handled remotely, we can guide you on the preparation of the power of attorney. We can also coordinate the procedure with the local representatives in Seychelles.
Our consultants can also offer support with:
- tax registration;
- business licensing requirements;
- bank account opening;
- compliance obligations that apply after the branch is registered.
FAQ
No, the registration process is quite simple as long as the parent company has all the documents in place.
It takes around 4 weeks to have the branch office up and running.
In fact, both branch representatives must be Seychelles residents.
No, the registration process of the branch office can be completed remotely through a power of attorney granted to our representatives in Seychelles.
No, there are no such requirements related to the opening of a branch office in Seychelles.
Contact us if you take into account to establish a branch in Seychelles in 2026!