Offshore
Set Up a BVI Company
The world's most widely used offshore company: zero tax, formation in 48 hours, the common language of funds and holdings.
At a glance
Tax
0% corporate, capital gains, withholding
Minimum structure
1 director, 1 shareholder; no residency
Formation
24 to 48 hours
Privacy
Register of directors not public
A company formed in the British Virgin Islands under the BVI Business Companies Act is the default vehicle for international holdings, joint ventures and fund structures. No corporate, capital gains or withholding tax; one director and one shareholder suffice, and they may be the same person. Formation takes 24 to 48 hours through a registered agent.
Economic substance rules have applied since 2019 and an annual financial return to the registered agent since 2023. The register of directors is filed but not public. English common law and appeal to the Privy Council give investors confidence.
Why here
When this jurisdiction is the right choice.
- The offshore structure investors and banks know best.
- Fast, remote formation, low annual fees.
- Flexible company types and share classes; suited to fund structures.
- A stable legal system with appeal to the Privy Council.
Entity types
Which structure, for whom.
Business Company (BC)
The standard form; limited by shares, flexible governance.
Segregated portfolio company
Ring-fenced portfolios for fund and insurance structures.
Process
Formation step by step.
- 01Name approval and restricted word check
- 02Registered agent appointment
- 03Passport, proof of address, source declaration
- 04Memorandum and articles, registry filing
- 05Certificate of incorporation, 24 to 48 hours
- 06Licence where required (funds, insurance)
- 07Bank account: outside the BVI, planned ahead
- 08Substance and BOSS filings
After formation
What has to happen every year.
- Annual registry fee and agent renewal
- Annual financial return (to the agent, not public)
- Economic substance filing
- Accounting records and beneficial ownership kept current
Same country
Other options.
Frequently asked
The in-country registry, licence and agent steps of the formation file run through our licensed formation partners in the relevant jurisdiction. Structure design, contracts, the bank file and the tax and notification effect on the Turkish side are managed by Defensible. Rates and thresholds summarise the headline rules at the time of writing; we check the current text together on your own file.
Do I need to travel to the BVI?
No. The process runs entirely remotely through the registered agent. A visit may be needed for the bank account depending on the bank chosen.
Let's work out which structure fits you in 15 minutes.
Tell us where you sell, who you are and what you are aiming at; we will say in the call which jurisdiction and entity type make sense. Formation itself is a separate engagement, scoped and priced there.
Book a 15-minute call