Company Registration in Belize

Yes, there is no need to travel to Belize. A licensed registered agent files the application with the BCCAR registry through the OBRS online system, and documents are signed online. We need your passport, proof of address and answers to the agent’s KYC questions about your business.

The IBC no longer exists as a separate form: under the 2022 Act, offshore companies are registered as Belize companies. The director and shareholder can be the same person, of any nationality and country of residence, and no company secretary or minimum capital is required.

There are three packages: Start at US$950, Corporate at US$1,700 and Full service at US$2,600. The registry fee is included in all of them. Start covers the registered agent for the incorporation period only, so it suits you if you then move the company to your own agent. Corporate includes the agent and address for a year, a TIN and mail forwarding, which is why most clients choose it.

Full service adds support with opening an account through to activation. Director services, shareholder services and an apostilled document set are ordered separately. See the package comparison for details.

We register the company from 3 working days after the agent has checked your documents. A payment provider account opens from 3 working days and a bank account from 10 working days, depending on the bank and your profile.

If you need to receive payments quickly, we open a payment provider account first and apply to a bank in parallel. In our recent projects, incorporation took 3-4 days.

Some banks do not work with offshore companies, so we choose a bank or payment provider for your business, payment regions and passport before incorporation. The list of providers currently onboarding Belize companies changes, so we suggest options after reviewing your profile.

An application usually requires a certificate of good standing, corporate documents, proof of business activity and a CRS form. Some banks ask for an apostilled set, which we prepare on request. See the account section for details.

Belize taxes income on a territorial basis. Income from sources outside Belize may be exempt if the company is tax resident in another country and carries on no relevant activity under the substance law, such as holding, finance, leasing or distribution. The exemption is not automatic: the Belize Tax Service confirms it on an application through the agent, and the company needs a TIN.

All former IBCs file the BTS290 tax return by 31 March, even if no tax is due. Every company also files a substance report, and companies carrying on a listed activity must show economic substance in Belize. See the tax section for details.

No. Belize was removed from the EU blacklist (Annex I) in February 2024 and from the grey list (Annex II) on 9 October 2026. It is currently on neither of the EU tax lists.

Even so, many banks and counterparties still treat Belize as offshore and ask such companies for extra documents. That is why we choose the payment solution before incorporation.

Most likely, yes, but that depends on where you are tax resident rather than on Belize. Your country of residence will usually tax dividends from a Belize company.

Many countries also 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 if no dividends are paid. We recommend discussing the structure with a tax adviser in your country before incorporating.

The beneficial ownership register is kept by the agent in the registry’s online system and is not public. The competent authorities in Belize have access to it, including in response to requests from other countries under information exchange.

Banks and payment providers always see the beneficial owner, as they verify them when opening an account. Account information is reported to your country of tax residence under CRS. Changes in beneficial ownership must be reported to the agent within 15 days.

From year two, you renew the agent and address in Belize, pay the annual registry fee (from US$250 with declared capital up to US$50,000) and file three reports: the BTS290 tax return, the annual return to the registry and the substance report.

We quote the maintenance cost separately, before you pay for registration, so you can see your budget for two years. The compliance calendar is in the section above.

A late tax return carries a penalty of 10% of the tax for each month, with a minimum of BZ$10 and a cap of 24 months, plus interest of 1.5% a month on late tax payments. Without the annual return and annual fee, the company loses its good standing and cannot obtain the certificate of good standing that banks ask for.

If the company keeps missing its filings, it may be struck off the register. For clients on our maintenance service, we send reminders in advance and prepare the documents ourselves.