Seychelles IBC owners are watching the amendments to the International Business Companies Act, 2016, as they may soon affect how their companies are administered. The message is quite clear: the jurisdiction aims to strengthen corporate transparency and align more closely with international AML/CFT standards.
You can read the proposed amendments in the official International Business Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to see if there are any reasons to worry, but first read the summary we have prepared for you.
In any case, we recommend that all Seychelles IBC owners treat this as a good opportunity to review their current structure and privacy expectations. These changes may matter a lot for some owners.
What is expected to change?
From what we found, the amendments focus on three main areas.
1. Public access to current directors’ information
This is the part most owners will notice first: information on the current directors of your Seychelles IBC will become publicly accessible. According to the Bill, this may include the name and date of appointment of each company’s current directors.
If privacy was one of the main reasons you chose Seychelles, it’s time to act.
2. The first directors must be appointed faster
If you are just planning to set up a Seychelles IBC, you will need to appoint the first directors within 30 days of incorporation (previously, you had up to nine months).
3. Nominee director disclosure requirements
If you have nominee/alternate directors, pay attention to additional disclosure requirements that the Bill introduces: you will have to record the nominee status and identify the nominator.
The jurisdiction will announce a transition period, and we recommend all Seychelles IBC owners to review their records and internal documents to see whether updates are needed.
Why is Seychelles changing the rules?
Seychelles is in no way trying to crack down on non-resident owners. Its efforts are aimed at making the jurisdiction more transparent, and compliance with international AML/CFT standards is one of the important steps. It may be good for businesses in the long run, but we still see that not all business owners are prepared for the changes.
We also studied the explanatory statement: it refers to FATF Recommendation 24, which deals with the transparency and beneficial ownership of legal persons. The reform also comes ahead of Seychelles’ next ESAAMLG mutual evaluation.
We can say with confidence that Seychelles remains a viable jurisdiction for many international companies. Still, if director privacy is an important factor for you, it may turn out that Seychelles no longer meets your long-term expectations.
What should Seychelles IBC owners do now?
If you are a Seychelles IBC owner and you feel like you have to hurry and close your company, please don’t make any hasty decisions. We advise reviewing the structure carefully before the new requirements come into force.
You may need to check:
- who is currently appointed as a director
- whether nominee director arrangements are used
- whether the company records are complete
- whether the structure still meets your privacy requirements
- whether the company is suitable for your banking, tax, and operational plans
In some cases, we see that staying in Seychelles can still be a good decision. However, if you want your company to operate from a jurisdiction without a public register of directors, officers, or shareholders, we can help you start the process of redomiciliation.
Redomiciliation to the Marshall Islands as an option
Our advice is simple: redomiciliation of a Seychelles IBC to the Marshall Islands can solve the problem.
Your company will be conveniently moved from one jurisdiction to another, and you will avoid the effort of first liquidating it and then creating a new company. Your company’s name and date of incorporation will remain unchanged.
Why do we consider it an optimal solution? You may have a company history worth preserving, such as contracts and banking records. And this is exactly what redomiciliation can help you preserve.
Why consider the Marshall Islands?
We recommend the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a modern corporate jurisdiction that many of our clients successfully use for international business structures. Its Associations Law is modeled on Delaware corporate law; what is more, this is a convenient jurisdiction where redomiciliation is allowed both into and out of the RMI.
How can you personally benefit from the Marshall Islands as a business owner?
- You will preserve your company’s continuity through redomiciliation
- You will not need to liquidate and recreate your company
- Your directors, officers, or shareholders will not be filed in a public registry
- The jurisdiction is familiar to international corporate service providers
- The structure can be reviewed and adjusted during the migration process
Pay attention to the cost factor (it may change at any time): redomiciliation may currently be free at the registry-fee level. It does not mean that you can move the company at no cost, though: Seychelles exit procedures and professional support will still involve costs. Still, you have a chance to reduce the overall cost.
Offshore Pro Group can assist with redomiciliation
Are you a Seychelles IBC owner? Our team can help you assess whether redomiciliation to the Marshall Islands makes sense in your case.
Our experts will:
- review your Seychelles IBC
- assess redomiciliation requirements in both jurisdictions
- prepare all required corporate documents
- coordinate with the registered agent and registry
- support you with updating the corporate structure after migration
- guide you on banking and compliance after redomiciliation.
Do you think your Seychelles IBC may be affected by the upcoming transparency changes? Don’t wait: it’s time to look at the available options.
Contact us to discuss redomiciliation of your Seychelles IBC to the Marshall Islands. Most importantly, we will only suggest moving your company if we see that it will benefit from the redomiciliation opportunity (currently free at the registry-fee level).
We will carefully analyze your company’s structure and documents to determine whether redomiciliation is possible. Want to be sure about the tax and legal consequences? We will review them for you separately based on your company’s activity and your tax residency.
