Bahamas Business Registration Guide 2026

Overview — Business Registration in the Bahamas

The Registrar General's Department (RGD) under the Ministry of Legal Affairs is responsible for company registration in the Bahamas. The primary legislation governing companies is the Companies Act, 1992 (as amended) and the International Business Companies Act, 2000 (as amended). The Bahamas offers a straightforward incorporation process with no minimum capital requirements and no restrictions on foreign ownership. A registered office in the Bahamas is required for all companies. The government has been modernising the registration process through the online Companies Registry portal, which allows for electronic filing of most documents.

Regular Company — Companies Act

The regular company incorporated under the Companies Act is suitable for businesses operating in or from the Bahamas. Key features:

• Minimum requirements — 1 director (can be corporate), 1 shareholder, 1 secretary (can be corporate)
• No minimum capital — shares may be issued with or without par value
• Registered office — physical address in the Bahamas required (can be provided by a licensed registered agent)
• Annual requirements — annual return to RGD, business license renewal, financial statements (audited if turnover exceeds certain thresholds)
• Public filing — directors, shareholders, and financial statements are publicly available (for certain company types)
• Cost — registration fees BSD 500–1,500 plus government stamp duty of 1% on authorised share capital (negotiable for higher capital)

Regular companies are subject to exchange control regulations if they are resident (i.e., if they conduct business in the Bahamas or are beneficially owned by residents). Non-resident companies may apply for exchange control exemption.

International Business Company (IBC)

The IBC under the IBC Act, 2000 is designed for offshore operations and international business. Key features:

• Minimum requirements — 1 director (can be corporate), 1 shareholder, no secretary required
• No minimum capital — no par value shares permitted
• Registered office and agent — must maintain a registered office and registered agent in the Bahamas (provided by a licensed corporate services provider)
• Confidentiality — directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners are not publicly filed (confidential register maintained by the registered agent)
• Annual requirements — annual return to RGD (confidential), no financial statement filing requirement
• Taxation — exempt from all Bahamian taxes on foreign-source income; BSD 200 flat fee in lieu of business license fee
• Exchange control — IBCs are automatically exempt from exchange controls
• Cost — registration fees BSD 350–1,000 plus annual government fee (typically BSD 350–1,000)

IBCs may not conduct business within the Bahamas or own real estate in the Bahamas (subject to certain exceptions). They are ideal for international holding, trading, investment, and asset protection structures.

Incorporation Process — Step by Step

The typical company incorporation process in the Bahamas involves the following steps:

• Step 1 — Name reservation — Submit proposed company name to RGD. Name search and reservation costs BSD 25–50. Processing time 1–2 business days. Names ending in Ltd, Incorporated, Corp, or similar are acceptable.
• Step 2 — Prepare documents — Memorandum and Articles of Association, register of directors and shareholders, registered office address, and consent to act forms. For IBCs, a registered agent must be appointed.
• Step 3 — Submission — File documents with RGD online or through a registered agent. Processing time 3–7 business days (expedited service available for additional fee).
• Step 4 — Certificate of Incorporation — RGD issues the Certificate of Incorporation and certified copies of the Memorandum and Articles.
• Step 5 — Business license — Apply for a business license with the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) or relevant ministry. The license is renewable annually.

Total incorporation time: 5–14 business days. Total cost (including government fees, registered agent, and legal fees): BSD 1,500–3,500 for a standard company.

Sole Proprietorship & Partnership

Simpler business structures are also available:

• Sole proprietorship — individual trading under their own name or a registered business name. Registration is with the RGD (business name registration). No separate legal personality. The owner is personally liable for all debts. Business license still required.
• Partnership — governed by the Partnership Act. General partnerships (unlimited liability) and limited partnerships (with at least one general partner with unlimited liability) are available. Partnerships are not separate legal entities but must register for a business license.

Both sole proprietorships and partnerships enjoy the same zero-tax regime as companies but do not provide limited liability protection. For most international investors, a company (regular or IBC) is the preferred structure.

FAQs

Can a foreigner register a company in the Bahamas?

Yes, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership of Bahamian companies. Both regular companies and IBCs can be 100% foreign-owned. Non-residents can serve as directors and shareholders.

How long does it take to incorporate a company in the Bahamas?

Standard incorporation takes 5–14 business days. Expedited service can reduce this to 2–3 business days for an additional fee.

What are the annual costs of maintaining a Bahamian company?

Annual costs include: registered agent fee (BSD 500–1,500), registered office fee (BSD 200–500), business license fee (0.75–1.25% of turnover or BSD 100–200 flat fee), and government annual return fee (BSD 350–1,000). Total minimum annual cost: BSD 1,000–2,500 for a dormant or IBC company.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about business registration in the Bahamas for 2026. Laws, fees, and procedures may change. Always consult with a qualified Bahamian corporate lawyer or the Registrar General's Department for advice specific to your situation. InvestmentKit does not provide legal advice.