St Kitts and Nevis Limited Company
Register a Nevis Business Corporation (NBC) — a tax-neutral, privacy-focused jurisdiction with no minimum capital requirement, non-public beneficial ownership records, and a licensed Registered Agent built into every structure.
Overview
The St Kitts and Nevis Limited Company (structured as a Nevis Business Corporation under the 2017 Ordinance) is Otonomos' entity of choice for founders who want strong privacy, asset protection, and tax neutrality on foreign-sourced income, backed by one of the offshore world's longest-running corporate regimes. Nevis Business Corporations are taxed at 0% on foreign-sourced profits when structured as non-resident for tax purposes, with no minimum capital requirement and no exchange controls.
Every NBC is administered through a Registered Agent licensed by the Nevis Financial Services Regulatory Commission (NEVISFSRC), who handles onboarding, ongoing due diligence, and the registered office — a regulated layer built into every structure from day one.
Use Cases
International Trade & Holding Structures
A tax-neutral vehicle for holding shares in operating subsidiaries, intellectual property, or investment portfolios, with 0% tax on foreign-sourced income for non-resident companies.
Asset Protection
Nevis has some of the most tested asset-protection and creditor-remoteness law in the offshore world, making the NBC a common choice for wealth structuring and estate planning.
Wealth Management & Estate Planning
Non-public beneficial ownership records and flexible governance suit family offices and private wealth structures that prioritise confidentiality.
Global Business Operating Entity
A straightforward international trading company for founders who want an established, well-understood offshore jurisdiction outside the EU/UK/US onshore tax net.
Tax Status
St Kitts and Nevis corporate tax runs 0–33% depending on residency and income source, under the Income Tax Act Cap 20.22 and the Tax Administration and Procedures Act (TAPA), 2003. Non-resident NBCs pay 0% on foreign-sourced income and are taxed only on St Kitts and Nevis-sourced profits; resident companies are taxed on worldwide profits at 33%. An NBC can elect tax-resident or non-resident status with the Inland Revenue Department under sections 139/143 of the NBCO. For the full annual compliance breakdown, see St Kitts and Nevis Company Tax and Annual Compliance in 2026.
Legal Requirements
An NBC requires a Registered Agent licensed by NEVISFSRC with a registered office in Nevis — only the Registered Agent may file incorporation documents with the Registrar of Companies. There is no minimum share capital requirement. Bearer shares, if used, must be immobilised with the Registered Agent, who must maintain evidence of their beneficial owners.
Privacy
Shareholder, director, and beneficial ownership information is held by the licensed Registered Agent under section 102 of the NBCO — there is no public register. Beneficial ownership is defined under section 2 of the Ordinance as the natural person(s) who ultimately own or control the corporation.
Onboarding
Once your package is ordered, you will receive a confirmation email with an invitation link to the Otonomos Dashboard. From there you will complete the company application form, which requests:
- Company Name options
- Purpose of the entity
- Nominee Participants (if applicable)
- Corporate Participants (if applicable)
- Natural Participants
- Ownership distribution
- Corporate participant information (if applicable)
KYC Verification Process
After the company details are submitted, each natural participant receives a KYC invitation via SumSub to upload a certified copy of ID, proof of address, and — depending on package — a source-of-wealth declaration. Our Nevis Registered Agent conducts its own due diligence review as part of this process, as required by its NEVISFSRC licence.
Time to incorporate
Incorporation documents are filed by the Registered Agent with the Nevis Registrar of Companies. Confirm current name-approval and incorporation timelines with our team, as processing times and KYC review can vary.
Entity Maintenance
Keeping an NBC in good standing means:
- Paying the Annual Renewal Fee to the Registrar before the anniversary date of registration — currently US$250, per the Nevis Business Corporation (Forms and Fees) Regulations, 2017.
- Maintaining your Registered Agent and registered office in Nevis at all times — this is the ongoing service our St Kitts and Nevis package covers.
- Beneficial ownership compliance — keeping the Registered Agent's records of shareholders, directors, and beneficial owners current under section 102 of the NBCO.
- Tax residency status — if your NBC has elected tax-resident status (or otherwise generates St Kitts and Nevis-sourced income), confirm your Corporate Income Tax and CIT-101 filing obligations with the Inland Revenue Department.
Renewal Periods
The Registered Agent and registered office service renews annually, alongside the Registrar's Annual Renewal Fee.
Reporting
Following St Kitts and Nevis' 2017–2020 legislative reforms (which took the jurisdiction off the EU's non-cooperative list in February 2020), Nevis International Business Corporations became subject to the Federation's standard corporate income tax filing regime — the CIT-101 return — a shift from the fully tax-exempt IBC model of the past. Whether your specific NBC needs to file depends on its tax residency election and income sources; confirm with the Inland Revenue Department and your Registered Agent.
Shutting down your entity
Otonomos can manage the dissolution filing and Registered Agent sign-off on your behalf. Confirm current dissolution procedures and fees with our team, as these depend on the corporation's standing and any outstanding filings.
FAQs
How long does it take to form a St Kitts and Nevis company?
Confirm current timelines with our team — processing depends on name approval and KYC completion.
Do I need to live in St Kitts and Nevis to open a company?
No. There is no residency requirement for directors or shareholders. The company does need a licensed Registered Agent and registered office in Nevis at all times — both included in our packages.
How much capital do I need?
None. The NBCO sets no minimum share capital requirement.
Are the owners of a St Kitts and Nevis company public?
No. There is no public register of shareholders, directors, or beneficial owners — that information is held by the licensed Registered Agent.
What's the corporate tax rate?
0–33% depending on tax residency election and income source. Non-resident NBCs pay 0% on foreign-sourced income; resident companies pay 33% on worldwide profits.
Can I use bearer shares?
Yes, but they must be immobilised and held by the Registered Agent, who must maintain evidence of their beneficial owners.
How do I close a St Kitts and Nevis company?
We manage the dissolution filing and Registered Agent requirements on your behalf — confirm current procedures with our team.
Updated 1 day ago