One can open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner due to the country’s favorable tax regime, especially for legal entities incorporated as International Business Companies (IBCs), which benefit from an exemption on the corporate income tax.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Can foreigners open a company in Seychelles? | Yes, one can open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner. |
|
Is it difficult to open a company as a foreigner? |
No, investors can complete the registration procedure in a matter of days (2 business days). |
|
Do foreigners need special approval for business purposes? |
Foreigners need to submit their investment project with the Seychelles Investment Board, which overseas the registration process. |
| Is it costly to start a business? | No, especially for those who opt for offshore businesses. |
| Bureaucracy level in Seychelles |
Seychelles has the best ranking in African countries concerning its governance level (75.3 out of 100, measured in 2023 in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance study) |
| What are the benefits of starting a business in Seychelles? |
It is recommended to open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner as the country offers both onshore and offshore incorporation. It also provides: – skilled workforce (96% literacy rate), – a growing economy, – political stability, – friendly policies towards foreign investors, – advantageous tax rules and many tax exemptions for offshore businesses. |
| Types of operating costs of a business |
Rent, utilities, accounting, employment, etc. |
| How many businesses are registered on an annual basis? |
Around 1,000 (from 2021 to 2022) |
| What was the region with the largest business registration share? |
Victoria (the capital city) |
| Corporate insolvency law | Insolvency Act 2013 |
| Law regulating foreign investments |
Seychelles Investment Act |
| Does Seychelles apply a visa system for business purposes? |
Those who plan to live and invest in Seychelles can apply for the Golden visa program, which grants permanent residency rights for qualifying investments of minimum USD 1 million. In all other cases, investors may register a business without being present in the country. |
| Residency requirements for foreign shareholders |
Not applicable. It is possible to open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner without complying with residency obligations. |
| Minimum salary |
SR 40.95 per hour (effective 1st of April 2025) |
| What types of businesses are popular in Seychelles |
– offshores, – financial services, – tourism, – blue economy businesses (marine-related companies), – ICT |
Foreign investments are actively encouraged here through various tax benefits and business incentives. It must be noted that Seychelles stands out as a top financial center in its region, making it a suitable business destination for those who want to invest in financial sub-sectors such as banking, wealth management, insurance, etc.
Our consultants can advise on how to start a business in Seychelles as a foreigner and can offer full legal representation during the incorporation process.
Table of Contents
Key elements on starting a business in Seychelles
There are many advantages that investors can obtain when opening a business in Seychelles and they may vary based on the industry of interest, the company type selected for incorporation or the manner of running a business (onshore or offshore registration).
In the list below, our specialists highlight some of the key points that should be taken into consideration by any investor who plants to set up a business in Seychelles as a foreigner:
- privacy policies – in Seychelles, companies’ information is refrained from public;
- advantageous tax system – companies incorporated in Seychelles obtaining profits overseas are not taxed with the income tax in Seychelles;
- favorable investment policies for investors – a local company can be set up by at least 1 shareholder, who may have any nationality and who can also act as the company’s director;
- there are many sectors suitable for foreign investments, such as information technology, health, transportation, tourism, blue economy (maritime services, biotechnology, marine commerce, etc.).
Tax-free policies for offshores in Seychelles
One of the most attractive ways to open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner is to register an offshore company. Having an offshore company registered here provides many tax advantages, as Seychelles is seen as a tax haven. Offshores are exempt from:
- the corporate income tax;
- the capital gains tax;
- the withholding tax on dividends;
- the withholding tax on interest.
These tax exemptions are guaranteed to foreign investors by the local legislation. In general, businessmen may easily set up their business activities, unless they invest in specific fields that require prior approval (gambling or financial services).
Macroeconomic indicators in Seychelles
Along with tax benefits, tax exemptions, attractive investment industries and so on, investors also look at a country’s macroeconomic indicators, which offer a clear image on the quality of an economy.
Investors must know that Seychelles has been classified as a high-income country since 2015, being the only African country that retains this economic status. Considering this, is it highly recommended to set up a business in Seychelles as a foreigner, if you are interested in investing in an African region.
Concerning the country’s economy, the following are available:
- the country’s GDP increased at a rapid pace since 2020 ($1.4 billion), reaching $2.3 billion in 2024;
- the GDP per capita increased to $22,725 in 2024 (from $14,432 in 2020);
- the GDP growth in 2024 was of 2.4%, according to the World Bank;
- foreign direct investments have been maintained at the same level in the last 3 financial years (2022, 2023, 2024), of $0.2 billion, but doubled in value compared to the previous years (2020, 2021).
We invite you to address our team of consultants for further information on how to open a business in Seychelles as a foreigner. We can guide throughout the entire registration process and you can rely on us for any post-incorporation issue (taxation, accounting, employment or day-to-day business consultancy).