Incorporate · Offshore

Company Formation in Vanuatu

Pacific offshore centre with zero direct tax and international company statutes. Review the legal form, tax position, treaty network and indicative cost, then talk to one team that structures it end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Corporate tax: 0%
VAT / GST: 15% VAT on domestic activity
Formation: 1-3 days
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 0+
Setup cost: USD 1,500 - 4,000

At a glance

Common entity: International Company (IC)
Formation time: 1-3 days
Setup cost: USD 1,500 - 4,000
Annual cost: USD 1,000 - 2,500
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 0+

Holding companyTradingIP and licensingConsulting and services

Best for

Zero direct-tax holding vehicles
Pacific-region offshore structuring
Structures not needing treaty relief

Less ideal for

Businesses needing treaty relief or easy banking
Founders wanting a strong onshore reputation

Legal and formation

Legal system	Common law (with French-law elements)
Common entity types	International Company (IC), Local Company
Formation timeline	1-3 days
Minimum capital	None
Foreign ownership	100% permitted
Minimum shareholders	1
Minimum directors	1
Local presence	Registered agent and registered office in Vanuatu required
Public registry	Directors and shareholders not on a public register
Audit	No general statutory audit for international companies

Tax profile

Corporate income tax	0% (Vanuatu levies no corporate income tax)
VAT / GST	15% VAT on domestic activity
Withholding, dividends	0%
Withholding, interest	0%
Withholding, royalties	0%
Capital gains	Not taxed
Territorial system	Yes
CFC rules	No
Participation exemption	Not applicable (no corporate income tax)

Every figure above is indicative. Rates, thresholds, minimum capital, ownership rules and timelines change and vary by activity, licence and structure. They are confirmed with the relevant authority and in a tailored quote before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How to set up in Vanuatu

1
Appoint a licensed Vanuatu registered agent
2
Reserve the company name and prepare the constitution
3
Complete KYC on directors, shareholders and beneficial owners
4
File incorporation with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission
5
Open a bank or EMI account (usually through a specialist provider)

Banking reality

Vanuatu offshore companies find traditional banking hard to secure due to de-risking, so operating accounts are typically held with international EMIs and payment providers rather than local banks.