FormIBCs
International Business Companies (IBCs)
Flexible corporations formed under the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance for any lawful business.
Legal Framework
A corporation formed under the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance (NBCO) is the equivalent of what is commonly termed an International Business Company (IBC). Incorporation requires a registered agent licensed by the Nevis Island Administration, whose office serves as the corporation’s registered office.
Key benefits
- Shareholders, officers and directors may be of any nationality and reside anywhere.
- A managing director may guide the corporation’s activities.
- The corporate secretary may be a corporation or an individual, and directors may be corporations; alternate directors are permitted.
- Shareholders and directors may act by unanimous written consent without meetings; written proxies are allowed.
- Records must remain accessible to the registered agent and the FSRC (Nevis Branch) on request.
- Changes of beneficial owner, shareholder, director or officer must be reflected in the registered agent’s records.
- Authorised share capital may be denominated in any recognised currency.
- The identity of beneficial owners and shareholders must be obtained and maintained by the registered agent.
- Corporations may amend their articles, merge, consolidate or file for dissolution.
- Re-domiciliation into or out of Nevis is available, including emergency transfer of domicile on the Registrar’s approval.
- Conversion from the Limited Liability Company Ordinance is available, and written charges may be registered with the Registrar.
Incorporation Procedure
Part IV of the NBCO sets out the incorporation guidelines. Incorporation of a Nevis IBC must be carried out by a duly licensed registered agent.
- The corporation name may be reserved.
- The registered agent files Articles of Incorporation with the Registrar.
- The Registrar issues the Certificate of Incorporation on approval.
The Articles of Incorporation must include
- The corporation name (and an authenticated translation, if applicable).
- A statement that it is incorporated under the Ordinance.
- Succession details, if other than perpetual.
- The purpose(s) for incorporation.
- The registered agent’s name and the registered office address in Nevis.
- The aggregate number of authorised shares, with descriptions and par value.
- The names and addresses of the initial directors, if named in the articles.
- The name, address and signature of each incorporator, in accordance with Section 4.
Fees
The registry fee schedule, grouped by what you are filing. Every label and figure is as published in the Forms and Fees Regulations; the grouping is presentational only.
Formation and renewal
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporation | 810.00 | 300.00 |
| Articles of Incorporation with Bylaws | 810.00 | 300.00 |
| Annual Renewal Fee | 810.00 | 300.00 |
| Transfer of Domicile to Nevis | 540.00 | 200.00 |
| Emergency Transfer of Domicile to Nevis | 932.00 | 345.00 |
| Certificate of Continuation | 54.00 | 20.00 |
Certificates
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Incorporation | 54.00 | 20.00 |
| Endorsement Certificate | 54.00 | 20.00 |
| Certificate of Renewal | 81.00 | 30.00 |
| Certificate of Good Standing | 135.00 | 50.00 |
| Certificate of Correction | 405.00 | 150.00 |
| Tax Exemption Letter | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Any Other Certificate | 68.00 | 25.00 |
| Duplicate Endorsement Certificate | 68.00 | 25.00 |
| Duplicate Certificate of Incorporation | 68.00 | 25.00 |
| Printing of Certificate | 27.00 | 10.00 |
| Apostille | 135.00 | 50.00 |
Changes and amendments
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Amendment | 540.00 | 200.00 |
| Re-stated Articles of Incorporation | 311.00 | 115.00 |
| Articles of Merger / Consolidation / Conversion | 1,215.00 | 450.00 |
| Filing Notice of Change of Registered Office / Agent | 135.00 | 50.00 |
| Filing Notice of Resignation of Registered Agent | 135.00 | 50.00 |
| Voluntary Filings | 135.00 | 50.00 |
Name reservation
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation (after 10 days) | 135.00 | 50.00 |
| Renewal of Name Reservation | 135.00 | 50.00 |
| Using Restricted Word | 81.00 | 30.00 |
| Using Foreign / Special Character | 54.00 | 20.00 |
Registered charges
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Registration of Charge | 675.00 | 250.00 |
| Application for Variation of Registered Charge | 675.00 | 250.00 |
| Registration of Satisfaction of Registered Charge | 675.00 | 250.00 |
Dissolution and restoration
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Dissolution | 810.00 | 300.00 |
| Certificate of Dissolution | 54.00 | 20.00 |
| Statement / Declaration of Involuntary Dissolution | 54.00 | 20.00 |
| Certificate of Departure | 1,080.00 | 400.00 |
| Reinstatement / Restoration Fee | 810.00 | 300.00 |
Copies, searches and certification
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Certified True Copies (including first 3 pages) | 81.00 | 30.00 |
| Each Additional Page | 4.00 | 1.50 |
| Copies of Filed Documents (per page) | 4.00 | 1.50 |
| Certificate Certifying True Copy | 95.00 | 35.00 |
| Corporation Search (inspection only) | 54.00 | 20.00 |
| Corporation Search Report | 162.00 | 60.00 |
Penalties
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty for Late Filing (first 6 months) | 540.00 | 200.00 |
| Penalty for Late Filing (after 6 months) | 1,080.00 | 400.00 |
| Failure to Obtain / Designate New Registered Agent | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
Administrative
| Service | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Letter | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Administrative Fee | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Administrative Fees (Refunds) | 135.00 | 50.00 |
Fees are indicative; confirm current fees with the Commission before filing.
Forms
Download the forms for company filings. Each opens in the document viewer, where you can read, download or print it.
FormIBCs
Application for Registration of a Charge (Form 56(1))
FormIBCs
Application for Registration of Variation of Registered Charge (Form 57(1))
FormIBCs
Satisfaction of Registered Charge (Form 58(1))
FormIBCs
Application for Restoration to Register (Form 119(4))
FormIBCs
Application for Licence for Administrative Office (Form 137(2))
Legislation
The Ordinance and its amendments and regulations. Each opens in the document viewer alongside the AI assistant.
OrdinanceIBCs
Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance (Ch 07.01 N)
RegulationIBCs
Nevis Business Corporation (Forms and Fees) Regulations 2017
OrdinanceIBCs
Nevis Business Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022
OrdinanceIBCs
Nevis Business Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance No. 2 of 2023
RegulationIBCs
Nevis Business Corporation (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
OrdinanceIBCs