Juridictions

Offshore jurisdictions refer to countries or territories that offer favorable tax, legal, and regulatory regimes for individuals and businesses looking to invest, conduct business, or hold assets outside their home country. Offshore jurisdictions are typically located in low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions, such as the Caribbean, and certain Asian countries or island.

Offshore jurisdictions provide access to international markets and investment opportunities, as well as legal and financial expertise.

We provide information and resources on offshore jurisdictions, including their legal and regulatory frameworks, tax rates, and other key features. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about whether an offshore jurisdiction is the right choice for your specific needs and circumstances.

Additional comments

• Anguilla: As a UK territory, Anguilla has a stable government and regulatory environment. Its legislation is not as favorable as that of Nevis, but nothing negative comes to mind about this jurisdiction.
• Antigua: Although Antigua is a fairly good jurisdiction overall, its legislation is not up to par with that of its nearby rival, Nevis.
• Bahamas: Although the Bahamas was once a champion, its legislation has not kept up with the times, and regulation has surpassed its benefits. It is not as gleaming as its past reputation.
• Barbados: Barbados has decent legislation, but nothing special unless you are a Canadian. Canadians may receive tax benefits, so check with a Chartered Accountant to see if this is right for you. If so, contact a service provider to form a company for you.
• Belize: Belize is a very good jurisdiction, particularly for their LDCs, which are roughly equivalent to the LLC in other regions. However, bribery and money under the table transactions are commonplace, and high crime in Belize City hinder its reputation. It is one of the favorite banking centers in the Caribbean region, especially for amounts below $250,000. For anything above that, it is recommended to choose a Nevis LLC or Belize LDC plus a Swiss, Luxembourg, or Liechtenstein bank account.
• British Virgin Islands (BVI): BVI is a former champion jurisdiction that has become overly regulated. It has become a sector of the regulators, by the regulators, and for the regulators. Although their formation fees are fairly reasonable, their laws have not kept up with the current demands. It is a good place to form a company, but other jurisdictions in the region are better.
• Cayman Islands: Although the Cayman Islands were once one of the top jurisdictions, their laws have not kept up with the current demands for asset protection, unlike Nevis and the Cook Islands. Company formation is very expensive compared to other popular jurisdictions that have much better asset protection statutes. They have a head-in-the-sand dependence on their past reputation in an attempt to justify their now unjustifiable fees.
• Cook Islands: The Cook Islands are the best jurisdiction for asset protection trusts and the second-best jurisdictions, behind Nevis, for LLCs and offshore corporations.
• Costa Rica: Although Costa Rica was once popular, other jurisdictions have surpassed it.
• Cyprus: Cyprus is more popular for Europeans than Americans. A financial and banking crisis and excessive government debt gave it a black eye.
• Dominica: Dominica is one of the better jurisdictions in the Caribbean but not nearly as beneficial as Nevis for asset protection. Bribery and under the table payments to government officials are a way of life.
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong is a region with a strong economy and is part of China. It is much easier and less expensive to form a company here than in China. No need to travel here to form a company, but signatories must travel here to open a bank account.
• Marshall Islands: The Marshall Islands are a U.S. territory, but nothing stands out.
• Mauritius: Mauritius is one of the better jurisdictions, more popular for Europeans than for those in the US. The GBC I is a fancy term for “local company.” Foreigners can own 100% of a GBC II.
• Nevis: Nevis is the best offshore company haven for asset protection (LLCs), ease and speed of formation, and price. It has low crime rates, is safe (unlike its St. Kitts neighbor), and has a reputable legal system. Its laws regularly improve to keep up with modern demands. It offers advanced asset protection from lawsuit statutes in both its trust
• New Zealand – One of the better jurisdictions in the world for company formation. Good for forming offshore companies and trusts, though not as good for asset protection as Nevis or Cook Islands.
• Switzerland – A top tier jurisdiction for asset protection trusts, as well as a popular location for offshore banking. However, it has become more difficult to open bank accounts due to increased regulations.
• Vanuatu – One of the better jurisdictions in the Pacific region for offshore company formation, but not as good as Nevis or Cook Islands for asset protection.

In summary, each jurisdiction mentioned has its own unique advantages and disadvantages for offshore company formation and asset protection. Nevis and Cook Islands are among the top choices for asset protection, while Hong Kong and Singapore are popular for company formation in Asia. It is important to carefully consider your individual needs and consult with a professional before choosing a jurisdiction for your offshore company.