Vanuatu is an island nation in the southern Pacific Ocean, consisting of an archipelago of 83 islands. The country gained independence from joint British and French rule in 1980. With a population of about 300,000, Vanuatu is actively developing its financial sector, becoming one of the leading offshore jurisdictions in the Pacific region. The country's economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and offshore financial services.

Taxation

Vanuatu offers one of the most attractive tax legislations in the world for offshore companies:

• Zero tax rate on profits earned outside Vanuatu. Companies are exempt from this tax for 20 years from the date of registration.
• No tax on dividends, interest, and royalties for non-residents if the source of income is outside the jurisdiction.
• Zero VAT rate for all export operations and international transactions.
• No capital gains tax.
• No stamp duty and other mandatory payments for offshore companies.

It's important to note that Vanuatu is actively concluding double taxation avoidance agreements with various countries, which further improves the tax climate for international business.

Company Registration

The most common forms of offshore companies in Vanuatu are International Company (IC) and Limited Liability Company (LLC). The registration process usually takes 1-2 working days if all necessary documents are available.

To register a company, the beneficiary needs to provide:

• Notarized copy of passport
• Certified copy of a second identity document
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of residential address
• Bank reference
• Signed resume in English

How to register a company?

For the most effective company registration and successful business start in Vanuatu, it is recommended to consult specialists with experience in this jurisdiction. They will help not only with the registration process but also with developing a strategy for using an offshore company, taking into account all the specifics of local legislation and international financial regulations.