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Company Registration in the Bahamas

We set up your offshore IBC in the Bahamas remotely: you sign everything online and never need to fly out. We choose the payment solution before incorporation, based on your business and where your payments come from.

Timeline
5 days
once we have your documents
Cost
from US$1,400
government fee included
Format
Remote
no trip to the Bahamas
Get a free consultation Pricing and packages

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  • 6+ yearsin business
  • 1,250+clients
  • 65+partner banks

Packages

Cost of company registration in the Bahamas

From IBC incorporation to a payment account opened and activated with our support. The scope and price are fixed in the contract before we start.

  • Government fees included
  • No extra charges along the way
  • Fully remote, no trip to the Bahamas

Start

IBC incorporation

US$1,400

First-year agent and office not includedRequired by law from day one, paid separately

Incorporation

  • Name check and reservation
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association
  • Government incorporation fee
  • Filing with the Registrar General and Certificate of Incorporation
  • Registered agent services for incorporation
Choose this package
Recommended

Corporate

Agent and office for the first year

US$2,300

Best ifyou plan to open the account yourself

Everything in Start, plus:

  • Registered agent for 1 year
  • Registered office in the Bahamas for 1 year
  • Mail handling and forwarding
  • Reminders of annual obligationsGovernment fee, business licence, economic substance report
Choose this package

Full service

Company plus account opening support

US$3,450

Best ifyou prefer us to handle the account

Everything in Corporate, plus:

  • End-to-end account support through to activation
  • A payment solution matched to your business and payment countries
  • Compliance pack preparation
  • Support with the application
  • Help with account activation
  • Free resubmission if declined
Choose this package

Please note: we cannot guarantee account approval. We match the payment solution to your business and payment countries and guide you through to activation, but the final decision rests with the bank or payment provider after it reviews the company and its owners.

From the second year, the company pays the annual government fee of US$350 (for authorised capital up to US$50,000) and renews its registered agent and office. If the IBC has revenue, business licence tax also applies. We quote the ongoing cost for your company before you pay for incorporation.

Compare packages in detail What is included in each package
What is included
StartStart
CorporateCorp.
Full serviceFull
Incorporation
Name, Memorandum and Articles, government fee
Certificate of Incorporation
Registered agent for incorporation
First-year services
Registered agent
Registered office in the Bahamas
Mail forwarding
Reminders of annual obligations
Payment account
Payment solution selection
Compliance pack preparation
Support with the application
Help with account activation
Free resubmission if declined
Price
US$ 1,400
US$ 2,300
US$ 3,450

Corporate account

Opening a bank account for your Bahamas company

The account is opened after incorporation, but we choose the route first. Some payment providers do not accept Bahamas companies, so we look at your business, payment countries and owner profile and check who will actually open an account for you.

Fintech or payment institutionFastest

A multi-currency account for buyer payments, supplier settlements and contractor payouts

Applied for and reviewed remotely, matched to your payment countries

from 3 daysworking days, applied online

Bank

A main account for higher volumes and counterparties who expect a bank

Stricter review: some banks do not onboard Bahamas IBCs

from 10 daysworking days, extra questions likely
  • 01

    Restrictions checked before applying

    One of our clients had already been turned down because of where the company was registered. That is why we confirm each provider’s rules for Bahamas IBCs in advance.

  • 02

    Documents you will be asked for

    Memorandum and Articles, Certificate of Incorporation, contracts, a description of your transactions and source of funds. If a certified set is needed, we explain how to arrange it.

  • 03

    Free resubmission

    Included in Full service: if the first provider declines, we apply to another and stay with you until the account is active.

We will shortlist 2-3 payment solutions that currently accept Bahamas IBCs and your type of business.

Find a payment solution

How it works

Requirements and steps to register a company in the Bahamas

Everything is done remotely: you sign the forms online and send scanned documents, with no need to fly out. From receiving your documents to the certificate takes about 5 days, split between the agent’s checks and the filing.

  1. Day 0

    Planning

    We agree the structure: one director and one shareholder are enough, and they can be the same person of any nationality or a company. Authorised capital is usually US$50,000, the threshold for the lowest government fee. Scope and price are fixed in the contract.

  2. Same day

    Documents and agent checks

    A passport and proof of address for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner, plus a description of the business and source of funds. Bahamas agents may ask for a bank or professional reference; we will tell you at the start.

    Choose an English name ending in Limited, Corporation or Incorporated, ideally with 3 options

  3. 2-3 working days

    IBC incorporation

    We file the Memorandum and Articles with the Registrar General through a licensed registered agent and pay the government fee. A copy of the register of directors goes on file; shareholder details stay with the agent.

  4. From 3 working days

    Documents and account

    You get the electronic set straight after incorporation, with originals following by courier a few days later. Then the account: a fintech from 3 working days, a bank from 10. With Full service we stay with you until activation.

What you receive

Your IBC documents after incorporation

  • Certificate of IncorporationIssued by the Registrar General
  • Memorandum and Articles of AssociationThe company constitution
  • Share certificatesOne for each shareholder
  • Company registersMembers, directors and officers. The register of members is not public
Start registration

Tax and compliance

Tax and annual compliance for Bahamas companies

There is no corporate income tax, but an IBC with revenue pays business licence tax on its turnover. Every year the company renews its licence, pays the government fee and files an economic substance report.

Updated October 2026

How business licence tax is calculated

It is based on annual turnover, not profit. Example for US$3 million turnover

First US$1m of turnoverUS$2,500Flat amount
Above US$1m0.25%
  • Up to US$1m turnoverUS$2,500
  • US$2m above × 0.25%US$5,000
  • Total for the yearCapped at US$100,000 per companyUS$7,500

Based on the Business Licence Act 2023. Turnover is confirmed at renewal: by a licensed accountant’s statement from US$1m, and by audited accounts from US$5m.

Who pays business licence tax

What matters is whether the company earns revenue from its activity, not where the owner lives

Pays
  • A trading company with turnover from deals
  • Consulting and services for foreign clients
  • Any IBC with revenue from sales or services
Does not pay
  • A pure holding company that only owns shares
  • A company receiving dividends rather than revenue

The exemption is not automaticHolding status is assessed on what the company actually does. Every IBC files an economic substance report, even if it pays no tax.

Review my structure

Compliance calendar

Annual deadlines

  1. By 31 January

    Business licence renewal

    The licence covers the calendar year and expires on 31 December. Renewal goes through the agent together with turnover details. A pure holding company does not need a licence.

  2. By 31 March

    Business licence tax

    Paid on last year’s turnover, backed by supporting documents. A pure holding company does not pay it.

    From US$2,500Late payment +10%
  3. 9 months after year end

    Economic substance report

    Every IBC files under CESRA, holding companies included. Trading outside a group structure is usually not a relevant activity, but the report is still required.

    Penalties and strike-off
  4. Every year

    Government fee, agent and office

    The annual government fee to the registry, plus renewal of the registered agent and office. Without them the company loses good standing.

    Government fee from US$350

At any time

  • Beneficial ownership changesNotify the agent within 15 days
  • Change of directorUpdate the register of directors with the Registrar General
  • Transaction recordsKeep for at least 5 years

From year two we can handle this for you: agent and office renewal, the government fee, the business licence and the economic substance report. We quote the cost before you pay for registration, so you can see two years of expenses.

Get a servicing quote
Use cases

Use cases from our Bahamas clients

Three projects from our practice: what the client needed, what we did and how it turned out. Client names are abbreviated.

Holding companyCompany Trade and supplyCompany and account ConsultingCompany
Bahamas International holding

An IBC to bring three companies under one holding structure

The challenge

The client owned three active companies in different countries, all held in his personal name. He planned to direct part of the profit into other projects, so he needed a holding company without changing how the businesses themselves operate.

What we did

We incorporated the IBC, prepared the ownership structure and the share transfer documents. For one company we requested a fresh extract, as the shareholder details did not match the original documents. We agreed the order of the share transfers and went through the annual servicing and reporting requirements.

The result

1 IBCholding company
3 companiesin the ownership structure

At first I thought we would just set up a company and move the shares into it. It turned out there were a few nuances, especially with the paperwork for the older companies. Good that everything was checked in advance, not once the transfers had started. Overall a solid job, I’m happy with the result.

Mikhail S., Owner of a group of companies
Bahamas, Asia and Europe International trade

An IBC for international trade with a payment account

The challenge

The client buys industrial equipment in Asia and supplies it to buyers in Europe. He needed a separate company and a payment account in USD and EUR. One payment provider had already turned him down because of the company’s jurisdiction.

What we did

We incorporated the IBC and prepared the corporate documents. We selected another payment solution, checked its requirements for Bahamas companies in advance, and collected the contracts and a description of the trading operations. The review took longer because of questions about suppliers and the movement of goods; after further explanations the account was opened.

The result

1 IBCfor international trade
1 accountpayment account, opened on resubmission

The first payment provider was a waste of time, to be honest. We should have checked their country restrictions earlier. With Finextwin we found another option and got the account opened. Took some back and forth with compliance, but at least we knew what was going on. Happy with the outcome.

Rafael N., Owner, International Trading Company
Bahamas, USA and Europe International services

Bahamas IBC registration for consulting and work with foreign clients

The challenge

The client runs a marketing consultancy with clients in the US and Europe and a team spread across several countries. She needed a standard Bahamas company to sign contracts, with no local office and no extra directors.

What we did

We incorporated an IBC with one foreign founder who also acts as director. The name was approved on the first submission. We prepared the constitutional documents, the share register and the share certificates. The electronic set arrived straight after incorporation; the paper originals took a few more days to deliver, and scans were enough for the first contracts.

The result

1 IBC100% foreign ownership
100%remote, no visit to the Bahamas

Everything was quite simple. I sent the documents, signed what was needed and got the company paperwork by email. The originals took a few extra days to arrive, but that wasn’t a big issue. No unnecessary meetings, no travelling. Worked well for me.

Laura T., Founder, Marketing Consulting Company

Have a similar project? We can look at it together in a free consultation.

Discuss my project

Alternatives

When another jurisdiction is a better fit

A Bahamas IBC works well for holding, trading and services outside the Bahamas, but not for every goal. First the limitations, then the jurisdictions that cover other needs.

Bahamas limitations

  • Directors are on the public fileThe register of directors and officers is filed with the Registrar General and can be inspected. Shareholders are not disclosed.
  • Turnover tax for an active IBCA company with revenue pays business licence tax every year, from US$2,500, and files an economic substance report.
  • For business abroad onlyAn IBC cannot trade with Bahamas residents or own local real estate. Doing business in the Bahamas needs a different entity.

Not sure which jurisdiction fits? We will compare 2-3 options for your goals and budget.

Help me choose
FAQ

Bahamas company registration FAQ

The questions clients ask us most often at the first consultation.

Can I register a company in the Bahamas remotely?

Yes, there is no need to travel to the Bahamas. Forms are signed online and documents are sent as scans. We need your passport, proof of address and a short description of the business and the source of funds.

The electronic set of company documents arrives straight after incorporation, and the originals follow by courier a few days later. Scans are usually enough for the first contracts.

How much does it cost to register a company in the Bahamas?

There are three packages: Start at US$1,400, Corporate at US$2,300 and Full service at US$3,450. The government fee is included in all of them. Start covers the registered agent only for incorporation, while the law requires an agent and office for the full year from day one, so most clients choose Corporate.

Full service adds account opening support through to activation and a free resubmission. Scope and price are fixed in the contract; see the package comparison.

How long does IBC registration take?

About 5 days on average once we have the full set of documents, split between the agent’s checks and the filing with the Registrar General. The checks usually take longest, especially if the agent asks for extra documents.

The account is opened after incorporation: a fintech or payment provider from 3 working days, a bank from 10 working days. See the registration steps.

Which account can a Bahamas company realistically open?

We do not name a specific bank or fintech in advance: the solution is chosen around your business and the countries your payments go to and come from. Some payment providers do not work with offshore jurisdictions, so we check restrictions before applying, not after a refusal.

A fintech usually opens faster, while a bank takes longer to review and asks more follow-up questions. See the account opening section.

What taxes does a Bahamas company pay?

There is no tax on profits, dividends or capital gains. However, an IBC with revenue pays business licence tax every year: US$2,500 on the first US$1m of turnover and 0.25% above that, capped at US$100,000. A pure holding company that only owns shares does not pay it.

In addition, every IBC, holding companies included, files an economic substance report within 9 months of its financial year end. See the tax section.

An IBC usually needs no audit: from US$1m of turnover a licensed accountant’s statement goes with the licence renewal, and from US$5m audited accounts. The 15% minimum tax under Pillar Two only applies to international groups with revenue of €750m or more.

Do I pay tax in my home country if my company is in the Bahamas?

Most likely, yes. It depends on where you are tax resident, not on the Bahamas. The Bahamas does not withhold tax on dividends, but your country of residence usually taxes them.

Many countries have controlled foreign company (CFC) rules: you may need to report your stake in a foreign company, and its retained profits can be taxed even without a dividend. Discuss the structure with a tax adviser in your country before you register.

Who can see the owners of the company?

The register of directors and officers is filed with the Registrar General and can be inspected. Shareholder details are held by the registered agent and are not on a public register.

Beneficial owners are recorded in a non-public register. The competent Bahamas authorities can access it in cases set out in law. Banks and payment providers will ask for beneficial owners when you open an account in any case.

Which company documents will a bank ask for?

Usually the Certificate of Incorporation, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the registers of directors and members. Some banks and fintechs ask for an apostilled set and a recent Certificate of Good Standing, which confirms the company is active and its fees are paid. The Bahamas is party to the Hague Convention, so documents can be apostilled.

Requirements depend on the specific bank or fintech. We will tell you which set your account needs and help you prepare it.

How much does it cost to maintain the company from year two?

From year two you pay the annual government fee (US$350 with capital up to US$50,000, US$1,000 above that), renew the registered agent and office, and file the economic substance report. If the company has revenue, business licence tax is added.

We quote the exact servicing cost before you pay for registration, so you can see two years of expenses. The compliance calendar is in the section above.

What happens if I miss the government fee or a report?

Late payment of the government fee incurs a 10% penalty, then 50%, and a company that stays unpaid for long is struck off the register. Restoring it costs more than renewing on time. Late business licence tax is increased by 10%, and missing the economic substance report carries heavy penalties, up to strike-off.

Banks also ask for up-to-date documents and a Certificate of Good Standing at their annual review, and may restrict the account without them. With the Corporate package we remind you about deadlines in advance.

Answers reviewed in October 2026. This is general information, not tax or legal advice for your specific situation.

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  • Price fixed in the contract
  • Renewal cost quoted before you pay
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