Small in size but globally significant in offshore finance, Nevis offers a rare combination: asset protection laws among the strongest in the world, tax neutrality, and corporate structures that can be established in a matter of days.
What used to be a niche tool for shipping magnates and discreet family offices is now an accessible and strategic option for professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals who need to protect assets, simplify global operations, and optimise tax exposure.
Nevis is part of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, yet it has carved out its own reputation in corporate law. Over the last three decades, its legislature has positioned the island as a jurisdiction where global entrepreneurs can build legally sound, flexible structures. The result: thousands of companies incorporated every year, serving as holding vehicles, estate planning tools, and global trade conduits.
The Case for an Offshore Company
The appeal of Nevis rests on three pillars: asset protection, privacy, and simplicity.
- Asset Protection – Nevis is perhaps most famous for its protective legal framework for LLCs.
- Tax Neutrality – The jurisdiction imposes no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on foreign-sourced income. While home-country compliance remains necessary, Nevis offers a tax-neutral platform that doesn’t erode global efficiency.
- Ease of Incorporation – Companies can be formed in as little as six to eight business days. Only one director and one shareholder (or one member in the case of an LLC) are required, which makes the structure highly accessible.
These features have made Nevis popular not only with family offices but also with entrepreneurs in sectors as diverse as technology, consulting, real estate, and cross-border trade.
LLC or IBC
Nevis offers two principal corporate vehicles: the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and the International Business Company (IBC). Both are tax-neutral and efficient, but they differ in governance and strategic use cases.
Advantages:
- Requires only one member or manager (which can be the same individual).
- No annual reporting or mandatory financial statements.
- Not subject to foreign judgments unless pursued locally under strict conditions.
- Ideal for estate planning, wealth protection, and investment holding.
- Offers strong protection from forced foreign claims and lengthy statutes of limitation.
Nevis IBC
The IBC is structured under the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance (NBCO) and follows a more traditional corporate model, similar to Delaware corporations. Ownership is share-based, making it better suited for ventures that involve multiple shareholders or external investors.
Advantages:
- Straightforward share issuance and transfer process.
- Appropriate for e-commerce ventures, professional service firms, and IP ownership.
- Strong confidentiality with no public shareholder register.
Comparative Snapshot
| Feature | Nevis IBC | Nevis LLC |
| Legal Form | Corporation | Limited Liability Company |
| Ownership | Shareholders | Members |
| Governance | Directors | Members/Managers |
| Best For | Trading, IP, corporate ventures | Asset protection, holding, estate planning |
| Flexibility | Structured | Highly flexible |
| Local Taxation | None | None |
Formation Packages: What It Costs
Forming a Nevis company is faster and more cost-efficient than many European or North American jurisdictions. Below are the standard packages offered through Offshore Pro, tailored to different levels of support and documentation needs.
- Full Professional Service Package
- From $9,950
- 6–8 business days
- Comprehensive service including professional directors or members, full compliance support, and enhanced asset protection strategies.
- Digital Registration Package
- From $3,350
- 6–8 business days
- Incorporation with digital documents only. A lean, affordable option for entrepreneurs who want a clean setup without couriered originals.
- Apostilled Documentation Package
- From $3,950
- 6–8 business days
- Includes couriered, apostilled originals of all company documents. A middle-ground option for those who want physical documentation without additional professional services.
The Incorporation Process
Despite its international reputation, forming a company in Nevis is not complicated. With professional support, it is almost entirely remote.
- Define your objectives and select the appropriate structure (LLC vs IBC). Offshore Pro advises based on your goals, whether wealth preservation, trading operations, or succession planning.
- Provide certified copies of a passport, a second form of ID, proof of address, CV, bank reference letter, and proof of funds. Compliance is strict, but privacy is preserved.
- All necessary documents are filed with the Nevis Registrar of Companies. Licensed agents prepare Articles of Incorporation or Organization, depending on the chosen entity.
- Digital scans are provided immediately, while originals are shipped if requested. The company is legally operational within a week.
The process is streamlined and designed to reduce friction while maintaining international compliance.
Banking and Beyond
Forming a Nevis entity is often just the first step. A bank account — sometimes in Nevis, more often in partner jurisdictions — brings the company to life.
Offshore Pro works with banks across the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, and Asia, including Switzerland and Liechtenstein for private banking solutions. For clients in digital industries, electronic money institutions (EMIs) in the UK, Singapore, and Kazakhstan provide modern payment infrastructure. Crypto-friendly options are also available.
Professional directors, nominee members, and virtual offices can be layered onto the company to strengthen privacy and ensure smooth administration. For wealth planning, trusts can be integrated with the company structure, providing multi-jurisdictional protection.
Why Nevis Still Holds an Edge
Transparency initiatives from the OECD and FATF have reshaped compliance, and many traditional “tax havens” have been forced to compromise. Yet Nevis has retained its competitive edge.
Its laws continue to protect owners from external legal risks. Its incorporation process remains efficient. And unlike certain jurisdictions blacklisted by global regulators, Nevis maintains a reputation for legitimacy and legal integrity.
For clients balancing global ambitions with the need for discretion and protection, Nevis offers a rare mix of credibility and confidentiality.
Final Thoughts
The days of casual tax arbitrage are over; what remains is a sophisticated tool for structuring wealth, mitigating risk, and enabling global commerce.
A Nevis company is not for everyone — but for entrepreneurs, investors, and family offices seeking flexibility, robust protection, and tax neutrality, it stands among the most effective options available today.
With experienced advisors like Offshore Pro, clients gain more than incorporation paperwork. They acquire a strategic framework: a corporate tool designed to endure, adapt, and protect in a volatile global economy.