Offshore Companies Registration in Belize
BELIZE
Belize with an approximate population of 300,000 is located Southeast of Mexico and in the Northeastern end of Central America. The official language of Belize is Spanish and English. The Belize dollar is fixed to the US dollar at BZ$2=US$1.
Its main industries are tourism and agriculture, but the offshore industry is benefited from several dispositions on preferential market access. Presently, Belize is a member of The Commonwealth, The Organization of American States, The United Nations and The Association of Caribbean States.
The government of Belize is based on a parliamentary democracy, the Westminster System which is similar to Great Britain. The mercantile and contract law is based on the English law.
FEATURES OF BELIZE COMPANIES:
GENERAL INFORMATION
Company Law
The International Business Companies Act, 1990
Type of Company
International Business Company (IBC)
Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents
English
Taxation of Foreign Profits
Nil
Length of Time to Incorporate
Few minutes
Shelf Companies Available
Yes
CAPITAL AND SHAREHOLDERS
Minimum Number of Shareholders
One
Local Shareholders Required
No
Corporate Shareholders Permitted
Yes
Disclosure of Shareholders
No
Minimum Authorized Capital Required
No minimum
Bearer Shares Permitted
Yes (but with restricted mobility)
Registered Shares Permitted
Yes
No Par Value Shares Permitted
Yes
MEETINGS
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Required
No
Annual General Meeting of Directors Required
No
Location of Directors and Shareholders Meetings
Anywhere
Adoption by Consent Permitted
Yes
Quorum required
for purposes of meetings
Determined by the
Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Annual License Fee or Franchise Tax
$100
Annual License Fee or Franchise Tax Due Date
July 31st
Applicable Surcharges
10% and 50%
Requirement to File Annual Returns
No
Requirement to Submit Annual Audited Accounts
No
CORPORATE NAMES
Name Restrictions
Names identical, similar or offensive words
Endings and
Abbreviations Required
Limited, Corporation, Incorporated,
Sociedad Anonima, or its abbreviations
Length of Time to Verify Name Availability
Few minutes
Reservation of Names Permitted
Yes
Language of Name
Any language (some may require official translation)
Name of Banks, Insurance, Investment Fund, Trust
Company or their equivalents requiring consent or license
Yes
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Minimum Number of Directors
One
Qualifications of Directors
Legal age
Corporate Directors/Officers Permitted
Yes
Local Directors/Officers Permitted
No
Appointment of
Subsequent Directors/Officers
Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualified Registered Office/Agent
Yes / Yes
Government Register of Shareholders
Optional
Government Register of Directors/Officers
Optional
Government Register of Charges
Optional
Register of Directors/Officers to be kept at Registered Office
Yes
Company Seal Required
Yes
Copy of Minutes to be kept at Registered Office
Optional
Copy of Share Register to be kept at Registered Office
Yes
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Member of Apostille of the Hague Convention
Yes
Increase or Reduction of Capital
Directors' resolution
Redomiciliation Prohibited
No
Reinstatement at Registry
Yes
Removal from Registry
Compulsory or voluntary winding up
