Offshore Company Registration in Vanuatu
Capital: Port Vila.
Official languages: Bislama, English, French.
Currency: Vatu (Vanuatu).
Benefits of Company Registration:
- No authorized capital required.
- Fast company registration.
- Third parties have no access to information on founders and other company representatives.
- No requirements whatsoever to file annual reports or hold annual meetings.
- Exempted from stamp duty and any tax payments for 20 years from registration.
Vanuatu is a small state located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
By acquiring the status of a "tax haven" and rather intense economic development, more and more business people from all over the world are seeking to register an offshore company here.
The capital of this tiny Pacific country, as well as its financial, commercial, political, tourist, cultural and educational center, is the port city of Port Vila.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax:
- No corporate income tax in Vanuatu
- No capital gains tax
- No withholding tax on dividends
VAT:
- No VAT in Vanuatu
- No sales tax
Dividends:
- 0% tax on dividends for both residents and non-residents
Company registration in Vanuatu is managed by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). A unique company name must be reserved and approved by the VFSC before proceeding with the registration.
To register a company, an application signed by the director must be submitted, including essential information about the company. It must be accompanied by documents such as the company’s constitution, director's details, and shareholder information.
Once the company is incorporated, registration details will be available through the VFSC. It is also necessary to register a business license to operate legally in Vanuatu.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A registered office address in Vanuatu.
- A local agent or representative if there are no local directors.
- Paid the required registration fee to the VFSC.
- Complied with any additional requirements as stipulated by the VFSC.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Limited liability
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
- Simple business structure

Offshore Company Registration in Vanuatu
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Not mandatory for offshore companies
- Audit: Not required for offshore entities
- Annual Compliance: Simplified annual declaration
- Tax obligations: No local taxes on offshore income
- Employee reporting: Not applicable for offshore companies
- Registers: Maintained locally but not publicly accessible
- Directors' details Not publicly disclosed
- Shareholders' details Confidential and protected
- Financial reporting Kept private and confidential
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Document preparation and name selection
1-2 days - 02
Name search in the Companies Registry
1 day - 03
Online or offline document submission
1 day - 04
Obtaining CI and Business Registration certificates
1-4 days - 05
Opening a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
The bottom line
While Vanuatu is deservedly recognized as a tax haven, it is important to note that laws and regulations are constantly changing and companies should keep up to date with the latest tax and reporting updates in Vanuatu. Therefore, we recommend seeking professional advice from IT-OFFSHORE specialists.
Our specialists offer not only legal support for company registration, but also a wide range of services, which includes accounting services, nominee services, and full support of the company after its registration; Thus, we provide full year-round service to your company.
Cost calculation
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FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.