Form a Company in Vanuatu
Set up a Vanuatu International Company for international business. We explain the process and connect you with a Vanuatu provider for incorporation, a registered agent and ongoing compliance. Remote formation is often possible, subject to acceptance.
Established Pacific Centre
Vanuatu is a South Pacific international financial centre used for holding, trading and structuring companies, with English and French both used in business and law.
Flexible Company Law
Vanuatu offers the International Company (IC) under the International Companies Act, using a Constitution as its principal document, supported by an established registry.
Referral Platform
We connect you with an appropriate Vanuatu provider; assistance and acceptance always depend on the provider's own checks.
Activity-Based Tax
Vanuatu levies no general corporate or personal income tax. This does not make an owner internationally tax-free: tax may arise in the owner's country of residence, or where management and activities take place.
Why Form a Company in Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is a long-established Pacific international financial centre. The points below are general commercial considerations, not guarantees, and your own circumstances should be reviewed with a qualified adviser.
Activity-Based Tax Treatment
Vanuatu levies no general corporate or personal income tax. This does not create automatic tax-free status for the owner: tax may arise in the owner's country of residence, or where management and control or activities are located, which should be reviewed with an adviser.
Flexible International Company
The Vanuatu International Company is intended for international business. It generally cannot carry on business in Vanuatu except to further its business elsewhere, and uses a Constitution with a registered office and registered agent in Vanuatu.
Bilingual Common-Law Influence
Vanuatu's legal framework draws on common-law traditions with English and French both in use, offering familiarity for international businesses.
Established Registry
A company registry and professional-services sector support incorporation and ongoing administration.
Compliance with Standards
An International Company must maintain a registered agent and registered office, keep beneficial-ownership and accounting records, and pay an annual registration fee to stay in good standing.
Pacific Time Zone
Vanuatu can be a useful base for businesses operating across the Asia-Pacific and Pacific regions.
Formation Packages
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every engagement is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need.
- Vanuatu International Company formation
- Constitution
- Registry filing through a registered agent
- Registered agent & registered office
- Corporate document set
- International Company formation
- Registered agent & registered office
- Beneficial-ownership & substance guidance
- Bank / EMI account introduction
- Ongoing compliance reminders
- International Company for holding or structuring
- Registered agent, office & records review
- Registered agent & office
- Accounting for the structure
- Coordination with your adviser
Statutory costs such as registry and government fees are set by third parties and quoted separately. Figures are confirmed in writing before you commit.
Vanuatu Formation Services
Everything you need to form, register and run a Vanuatu company, handled with an in-country service provider.
Company Formation
Formation of a Vanuatu International Company: name check, Constitution and filing through a licensed registered agent, with the corporate document set.
Registered Agent & Office
A Vanuatu company must maintain a licensed registered agent and registered office in Vanuatu. Services are subject to the provider's onboarding requirements and acceptance.
Directors & Shareholders
Foreign individuals and corporate participants can own and manage a Vanuatu International Company. There is generally no residency requirement, though records must be maintained.
Banking & EMI
Introductions to banks and EMI/fintech alternatives. Account approval always rests with the institution after its own KYC and due-diligence process.
Registered Agent & Filings
Support with the registered agent and office, beneficial-ownership and accounting records, the annual registration fee and any required updates, kept in good standing with the VFSC.
Structuring Guidance
A general overview of how Vanuatu International Companies are used in trading, holding and structuring, so the vehicle fits your plans.
How to Form a Vanuatu Company
- 1
Tell Us Your Plans
Send your details through the quote form. We explain the International Company option and connect you with a Vanuatu provider where appropriate.
- 2
KYC & Documents
The registered agent verifies identity and collects the usual documents: passport and proof of address for individuals, and incorporation documents for corporate participants.
- 3
Incorporation Filing
Constitutional documents are prepared and filed through the licensed registered agent, with a registered office in place.
- 4
Substance, Banking & Compliance
Beneficial-ownership records and the registered agent/office are put in place, and assistance may be provided with opening a corporate account.
What You Receive
- Certificate of incorporation
- Constitution
- Registry filing via registered agent
- Registered agent & office
- Corporate document set
Timelines depend on KYC, registry processing and bank onboarding. We confirm expected turnaround with your quote.
Vanuatu Tax & Annual Compliance: General Overview
A plain-language summary of the main Vanuatu tax and filing points for a company in 2026. This is general information to help you plan, not tax or legal advice. Your Vanuatu provider or adviser confirms what applies to your situation.
No General Income Tax
Vanuatu levies no general corporate or personal income tax, and an International Company is not subject to Vanuatu income tax on its foreign business. This does not make the owner internationally tax-free: tax may arise in the owner's country of residence or where management and activities take place.
Indirect Charges
Vanuatu VAT applies at 15% to taxable goods and services supplied in Vanuatu by registered persons. An International Company operating outside Vanuatu generally has no Vanuatu VAT obligation, though this should be confirmed for any Vanuatu-connected activity.
Registered Agent & Regulated Activities
An International Company must maintain a licensed registered agent and registered office in Vanuatu and keep proper corporate and accounting records. Regulated activities such as financial services, investment business, virtual assets, banking, insurance and trust or company services require separate VFSC licensing.
Beneficial Ownership
An International Company must keep beneficial-ownership information and provide it to its registered agent and the authorities in line with applicable rules. Changes and required updates should be filed promptly.
Annual Registration Fee
An International Company pays an annual registration fee to the VFSC to maintain its registration, along with registered-agent fees. Unlike ordinary Companies Act companies, an International Company is not required to file the normal annual return or audited financial statements.
Accounting Records
An International Company must keep proper accounting records and underlying documentation sufficient to explain its transactions and financial position, retained with or accessible through its registered agent.
Vanuatu Company Formation FAQ
Common questions about forming a company in Vanuatu. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
It is a company registered for international business and not generally carrying on business within Vanuatu. It is commonly used for holding, trading and structuring.
Yes. Vanuatu International Companies are generally owned by non-residents, subject to the registered agent's KYC and due-diligence checks.
Vanuatu levies no general corporate or personal income tax, and an International Company is not subject to Vanuatu income tax on its foreign business. This does not make the owner internationally tax-free: tax may arise in the owner's country of residence, or where management and activities take place. This should be reviewed with an adviser.
There is generally no residency requirement for directors, though proper records must be maintained and a licensed registered agent and registered office are required.
Often, yes. Much of the process can be completed remotely through the registered agent once identity checks and documents are in order.
A Vanuatu International Company does not file the ordinary annual return or audited financial statements that apply to Companies Act companies; it pays an annual registration fee to the VFSC to stay registered. There is no separate enacted economic-substance filing being marketed here. The company must keep a registered agent and office, beneficial-ownership and accounting records, and file required updates.
A corporate account is common in practice but not a strict incorporation requirement. Account opening is a separate process with its own checks and provider acceptance.
Yes. A corporate participant, including a foreign company, can own a Vanuatu International Company. Its constitutional documents and beneficial owners will be needed for KYC.
No. Banking, insurance, fund and similar activities require separate licensing or registration. Incorporation alone does not authorise regulated business.
Yes. Vanuatu International Companies are commonly used for holding and structuring. The overall tax result depends on activities and where owners are located, and should be reviewed.
For individuals, generally a passport, proof of address, business-activity and source-of-funds information and tax-residency details. For corporate participants, incorporation and constitutional documents, registers, an ownership chart and beneficial-ownership information.
Still Have Questions?
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