Business
Companies Act 1972 with the IBC regime and a modern insolvency framework
Domestic companies are governed by the Companies Act 1972, while the International Business Companies Act 2016 provides the offshore vehicle for which Seychelles is best known. The Financial Services Authority licenses IBCs and international trusts, and the Insolvency Act 2013 provides administration and liquidation.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Registrar of Companies and the Financial Services Authority register; the Supreme Court hears company disputes.
- Deadline — IBC annual return and register filings with the registered agent
- Deadline — Beneficial ownership register maintained and updated within statutory time limits
Governing law
- Companies Act 1972Cap 40
- International Business Companies Act 2016
- Insolvency Act 2013
- Beneficial Ownership Act 2020
In practice
The Beneficial Ownership Act 2020 was the decisive reform: after EU and OECD listing pressure, Seychelles required beneficial-ownership registers held by resident agents and accessible to authorities, which changed the character of the IBC regime from anonymity to registered-but-not-public ownership.