Offshore Company Formation

Compliance and Substance for Offshore Companies

Modern offshore jurisdictions operate transparent, regulated frameworks. An offshore company is incorporated through a licensed registered agent at the relevant registry (for example the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission or the Cayman General Registry), and most jurisdictions now require beneficial ownership (UBO) registers and, for certain activities, Economic Substance. These jurisdictions exchange information with tax authorities under CRS and FATCA. We structure only for legitimate purposes and advise on the reporting obligations that apply in your home country.

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

• Annual renewal: government fees paid each year to maintain registration in good standing
• Registered agent and office: must be maintained in the jurisdiction of incorporation
• Economic Substance: certain relevant activities require local substance; pure holding companies have reduced requirements
• Beneficial ownership register: accurate UBO information must be maintained and kept current
• Record keeping: financial records and corporate documents must be maintained (not always filed publicly)

Last reviewed: June 2026. Reflects current UBO, Economic Substance, CRS, and FATCA requirements.

Why Choose AURNÉ for Offshore Company Formation?

Our team combines multi-jurisdiction expertise with a compliance-first approach: