Company Formation Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the offshore and Saint Lucia company-formation terms you'll encounter.
- IBC (International Business Company)
- A company incorporated under Saint Lucia's International Business Companies Act, designed for international operations. An IBC pays 0% tax on foreign-sourced income and is the most common offshore vehicle.
- LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- A flexible corporate structure governed by a member operating agreement, offering limited liability. Popular for joint ventures and holding structures.
- Registered Agent
- A licensed local representative that every Saint Lucia company must appoint. The registered agent maintains the registered office and receives official correspondence on the company's behalf.
- Registered Office
- The official local address of a company in Saint Lucia, where statutory documents and government notices are sent. Provided by the registered agent.
- UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner)
- The natural person(s) who ultimately own or control a company. Registered agents are required to identify and verify UBOs as part of KYC/AML obligations.
- KYC (Know Your Customer)
- The due-diligence process of verifying a client's identity, address, and source of funds. Required before forming a company or opening a bank account.
- AML / CFT
- Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism — the legal framework and internal policies that financial businesses must follow to prevent illicit activity.
- Apostille
- An internationally recognized certification (under the Hague Convention) that authenticates a public document for use abroad. Saint Lucia documents are apostilled through the High Court.
- Nominee Director
- A professional who is appointed as a company's director of record for privacy purposes, while the beneficial owner retains control via signed undated resignations and declarations of trust.
- Territorial Taxation
- A tax system under which only income sourced within the country is taxed. Saint Lucia IBCs pay 0% on foreign-sourced income because of this territorial principle.
- CRS (Common Reporting Standard)
- An OECD framework for the automatic exchange of financial account information between participating countries. Saint Lucia participates in CRS.
- TIEA (Tax Information Exchange Agreement)
- A bilateral agreement allowing tax authorities to exchange information on request. Saint Lucia has signed numerous TIEAs, supporting its compliant reputation.
- FSRA
- The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Saint Lucia, established in 2011, which regulates the non-bank financial services sector including registered agents and trustees.
- ECSRC
- The Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission, which licenses securities dealers — relevant to forex brokers seeking a formally regulated status.
- CBI (Citizenship by Investment)
- A program through which an individual obtains citizenship in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution. Saint Lucia's CBI program launched in 2015.
- NEF (National Economic Fund)
- The government fund to which Saint Lucia CBI applicants can make a non-refundable donation (from US$240,000) to qualify for citizenship.
- Economic Substance
- Requirements that certain companies demonstrate real activity (staff, premises, expenditure) in their jurisdiction. Saint Lucia keeps these light for ordinary IBCs.
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- The constitutional documents of a company that define its purpose, structure, and the rules governing its internal management.
- Certificate of Incorporation
- The official document issued by the Registry confirming that a company has been legally formed and exists.
- Segregated Client Account
- A bank account that keeps client funds separate from a company's operating funds — a core requirement for brokerages handling client money.
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