What is a Seychelles LLC?

"LLC" is a US term, and Seychelles has no separate LLC law that copies it. What Seychelles gives you instead is a company limited by shares - a separate legal person that owns its own assets and signs its own contracts, with the owners' liability capped at what they put in. There are two routes. For business done outside Seychelles, the standard vehicle is the International Business Company (IBC) under the International Business Companies Act 2016, regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). For business with a real local footprint or to use Seychelles tax treaties, you'd form a domestic proprietary company - a private company limited by shares (Pty Ltd) under the Companies Act 1972. Both give you limited liability and 100% foreign ownership; they differ on tax, reporting and where you can trade. Most people who type "Seychelles LLC" actually want the IBC.

Why form a Seychelles company limited by shares?

• Real limited liability - the company is its own legal person, so your personal assets aren't on the hook for company debts beyond your shares.

• 100% foreign ownership - no Seychelles resident shareholder or director is required for either structure.

• Lean structure (IBC) - one person can be the sole shareholder and sole director, and corporate directors are allowed; there is no minimum paid-up capital.

• Territorial tax (IBC) - an IBC pays no Seychelles tax on income earned outside the country.

• Treaty access (proprietary company) - a domestic company can, in the right circumstances, use Seychelles' double-tax treaty network, which an IBC generally cannot.

• Fast, remote setup - once KYC clears, an IBC is usually registered in one to three business days, handled entirely online.

Is a Seychelles company right for you?

Good fit:

• founders who want limited liability without the cost of a US LLC

• online and e-commerce businesses serving overseas customers (IBC)

• consultants and freelancers with foreign clients (IBC)

• holding structures for shares, property or IP (IBC)

• operators who need a genuine local presence or treaty access in Seychelles (proprietary company)

Not a fit: anyone expecting a US-style "disregarded entity" that flows straight onto a personal US tax return - that's not how a Seychelles company works. Trading physically inside Seychelles needs a domestic company and the right licence, not an IBC. Regulated activities such as banking, insurance, securities or gambling need a separate FSA licence. And no Seychelles structure lets you ignore the tax and reporting rules of your own country of residence.

What You'll Need

• A certified copy of each owner's and director's passport

• Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)

• One to three proposed company names

• A short description of the intended business activity

• Beneficial-owner details and source of funds (for KYC)

• For a domestic proprietary company: confirmation of your intended local activity or treaty purpose so we register the correct structure