Nevis Company Formation
Private, US Bank-Accepted, and Cost-Effective
A Nevis International Business Corporation (IBC) or Nevis Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most private whitelisted offshore vehicle available today. Nevis maintains no public register of directors, shareholders, or beneficial owners. Nevis IBCs are accepted across the U.S. correspondent banking system — opening doors that newer offshore jurisdictions cannot. Annual compliance is reduced to a single filing: the CIT-101 declaration. At Incorcorp we form your Nevis IBC or LLC in 3–5 business days, fully online, with KYC, registered agent, and ongoing compliance handled end-to-end.
From $1,550 all-inclusive · 3–5 business days · CIT-101 filing included
Timeline
3–5 business days
Formation Fee
$1,550
Annual Fee
$1,500
Legal System
English common law
Privacy
No public register
The Four Reasons Clients Choose Nevis
1. The Most Cost-Effective Whitelisted Common-Law Offshore
Nevis is materially cheaper than the other recognized common-law options, without sacrificing legal substance or international acceptance. Over a 10-year period, choosing Nevis over BVI saves roughly $6,150 per company — with the same English common-law framework and international bank acceptance.
| Jurisdiction | Formation | Annual Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Nevis | $1,550 | $1,500 |
| BVI | $2,300 | $2,100 |
| Bahamas | $2,000 | $1,700 |
| Cayman (typical) | $3,500+ | $2,500+ |
2. No Public Register of Directors, Shareholders, or Beneficial Owners
Among the serious modern offshore jurisdictions, Nevis is one of the very few that maintains no public register of directors, shareholders, or ultimate beneficial owners. The Nevis FSRC registers the company itself, but director, officer, shareholder, and UBO data is held only by the registered agent, who is bound by statutory confidentiality.
NOT publicly accessible
- Director and officer names
- Shareholder identities
- Ultimate beneficial owners (≥10%)
- Share registers
- Operating agreements (LLCs)
- Annual financial statements
Publicly accessible
- Company name
- Incorporation date
- Registered office address
- Registered agent
3. Recognized Across the U.S. Correspondent Banking System
Many offshore jurisdictions struggle to open accounts at U.S. or U.S.-correspondent banks because compliance departments flag the jurisdiction. Nevis is widely accepted across U.S. correspondent banking. Practically, this means:
- U.S. correspondent banks accept transfers from Nevis-entity accounts at international banks
- U.S. brokers and custodians open portfolio accounts for Nevis entities
- Stripe onboards Nevis IBCs and LLCs for payment processing
- U.S. business counterparties contract with Nevis entities without compliance escalations
4. Simplest Annual Compliance: One CIT-101 Form
Since August 26, 2020, the only annual filing required for a Nevis IBC or LLC is the CIT-101 Simplified Tax Return, submitted to the St. Kitts and Nevis Inland Revenue Department by April 15 each year. Most foreign-managed Nevis entities file as non-tax-resident with zero Nevis tax liability. Our managed renewal service handles the CIT-101 filing, registered agent renewal, and government fees as a single package — you sign one document.
When Should You Form a Nevis Company?
Cross-border holding vehicles
Families and businesses holding international investments, real estate, or operating subsidiaries who don't specifically need the BVI brand or the Bahamian wealth ecosystem. Nevis delivers the same English common-law framework at a materially lower cost.
Trading and proprietary operations
FX, crypto, commodities, and securities trading where USD-denominated activity and U.S. broker access are operationally critical. Nevis's correspondent banking acceptance is the key differentiator here.
Cost-conscious HNW holding structures
Clients constructing multi-entity family structures who want each vehicle to be cost-effective without compromising substance. A Nevis IBC frequently sits inside a broader structure with a BVI BC, a Panama Foundation, or a Bahamian IBC.
Non-resident partner in Canadian LP structures
A Canadian Limited Partnership formed by Canadian counsel can include a Nevis IBC as the non-resident limited partner. Incorcorp forms the Nevis IBC — the Canadian LP must be formed through qualified Canadian counsel, and we coordinate with your advisor on the offshore leg.
Inside the Nevis Legal Framework
Nevis is the smaller of the two islands in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, operating under English common law with the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal. The Nevis Island Administration maintains its own offshore-specific legislation:
- Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance, 2017 (NBCO) — governs the Nevis IBC
- Nevis Limited Liability Company Ordinance, 2017 (NLLCO) — governs the Nevis LLC
- Income Tax Act (St. Kitts and Nevis), 2020 amendments — established the CIT-101 framework
- Confidentiality Act — the statutory basis for the registry privacy regime
Asset Protection
The NBCO and NLLCO contain provisions that make Nevis entities structurally resilient to foreign judgments — a US$100,000 bond requirement for foreign plaintiffs, a one-year fraudulent transfer statute of limitations, and non-recognition of foreign judgments without Nevis court reconsideration. These are structural features, not the reason to choose Nevis. The reason is cost, privacy, banking, and compliance simplicity.
Costs and Timeline
| Incorcorp formation — Nevis IBC or LLC (all-in, first year) | $1,550 |
| Annual renewal (government fees + registered agent + CIT-101 filing) | $1,500 |
| Standard formation timeline | 3–5 business days |
| KYC review (before filing) | 24–48 hours |
The formation fee includes Nevis government incorporation fees, the first year of registered agent and registered office, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association (or Operating Agreement for LLCs), share register or members register, company seal, and digital document delivery. There are no hidden setup costs. For full pricing across all jurisdictions, see our transparent pricing page.
Documents and KYC Requirements
For each director, officer, member, and ultimate beneficial owner (≥10%):
- Certified copy of passport (notarized or apostilled — Hague Apostille accepted)
- Proof of residential address dated within 3 months
- Completed KYC/AML questionnaire
- Source of funds and source of wealth declaration
- Bank or professional reference (typical for high-value structures)
Note: Documents collected under KYC are held by Incorcorp and the registered agent and are not filed with the Nevis Registrar of Companies or any public register. Information is provided to competent authorities only under formal legal process.
How Your Nevis Incorporation Works
- 1
Choose Nevis on the platform — IBC or LLC. We run a name availability check with the Nevis FSRC the same day.
- 2
Complete KYC online through our encrypted portal. Compliance review in 24–48 hours.
- 3
Payment authorized but not captured until KYC is approved. If we cannot proceed, you are never charged.
- 4
Filing with the Nevis FSRC. Incorporation typically 1–3 business days after KYC clearance.
- 5
Certificate, M&AA or Operating Agreement, share/members register, and company seal uploaded to your secure dashboard. Originals couriered worldwide.
- 6
Banking introductions to banks accustomed to Nevis structures — international private banks, U.S.-correspondent-connected institutions, and Stripe.
- 7
Ongoing administration — annual renewal handled automatically; CIT-101 filed by Incorcorp on your behalf each year before April 15.
Nevis vs Other Jurisdictions
Nevis vs BVI
Both are English common-law jurisdictions. BVI has stronger institutional brand recognition — that matters in some settings. Nevis is materially cheaper ($1,550 vs $2,300 formation; $1,500 vs $2,100 annual), has stronger registry privacy (BVI now reports BO through the BOSS Act register; Nevis does not), and has simpler annual compliance (one CIT-101 vs BVI's annual return, BOSS Act updates, and economic substance declarations).
See our BVI page →Nevis vs Bahamas
Different objectives. Bahamas is the integrated wealth-structuring center — private banking, SACs, and the Usufruct Interest Act 2026 for civil-law family succession. Nevis is the operating workhorse — cost-effective, private, bank-acceptable. Families often use both: Bahamian IBC for succession structuring, Nevis IBC for operating activity.
See our Bahamas page →Nevis vs Seychelles
Seychelles is slightly cheaper but has materially worse U.S. correspondent banking acceptance. For clients who need clean USD banking and Stripe/U.S. broker access, Nevis is the practical choice.
See our Seychelles page →Nevis vs Delaware LLC
A Delaware LLC is the right answer when the goal is to operate in the U.S. Nevis is the answer when the operating model is international: Stripe access without becoming a U.S. taxpayer, USD banking through the correspondent network, and no U.S. annual reporting obligations.
See our Delaware page →International Compliance: CRS, FATCA, Beneficial Ownership
CRS
Financial institutions holding accounts for Nevis entities report balances and income to the Nevis tax authority, which automatically exchanges with each beneficial owner's country of residence. CRS operates at the financial institution level — not at the corporate registry level.
FATCA
U.S. persons' accounts are reported to the IRS under the St. Kitts and Nevis intergovernmental agreement. Standard for all CRS-participating jurisdictions.
Beneficial Ownership
UBO data is collected and held by the registered agent for a minimum of seven years. Not filed with the public registrar. Competent authorities can access through formal legal process (court order, treaty-based requests).
Nevis is not on the FATF blacklist or grey list as of 2026 and meets OECD information-exchange standards. Registry privacy and CRS reporting are distinct: registry privacy means competitors cannot identify you through searches; CRS means your tax authority is notified of bank holdings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nevis cheaper than BVI without compromising quality?
Yes. Both are English common-law jurisdictions with Privy Council appellate review, modern company law, and international bank acceptance. The BVI premium reflects brand recognition in certain institutional settings — for most operating and holding use cases, Nevis delivers equivalent substance at lower cost.
Is there really no public register of directors or shareholders in Nevis?
Correct. The Nevis Registrar of Companies registers the company itself but does not maintain a public register of directors, officers, shareholders, or beneficial owners. That data is held only by the registered agent under statutory confidentiality, and is accessible only to competent authorities through formal legal process.
Can my Nevis IBC open a bank account in the U.S. or with a U.S.-correspondent international bank?
Yes. Nevis is well-accepted across U.S. correspondent banking. Nevis IBCs and LLCs open accounts at international private banks in Switzerland, Singapore, the UK, Luxembourg, Dubai, and the U.S. correspondent network. Stripe and other U.S. payment processors onboard Nevis entities.
What is the CIT-101 and what do I have to do each year?
The CIT-101 Simplified Tax Return has been the annual filing requirement for all Nevis IBCs and LLCs since August 26, 2020. It declares the company's tax residency status. Most foreign-managed Nevis entities file as non-tax-resident with zero Nevis tax liability. Deadline is April 15 each year for the prior tax year. Incorcorp prepares and files the CIT-101 as part of your annual renewal.
Can I use a Nevis IBC as the non-resident partner in a Canadian Limited Partnership?
Yes. A Canadian LP formed through Canadian counsel can include a Nevis IBC as the non-resident limited partner. Properly structured, the LP is fiscally transparent in Canada and foreign-source income is not subject to Canadian tax. Incorcorp forms the Nevis IBC; the Canadian LP itself must be formed through qualified Canadian counsel.
Is Nevis on any blacklist?
No. Nevis is not on the FATF grey or black list, the OECD non-cooperative list, or the EU Annex I list as of 2026.
What is the difference between a Nevis IBC and a Nevis LLC?
The IBC under NBCO 2017 is a corporation with shares, directors, officers, and shareholders. The LLC under NLLCO 2017 is a limited liability company with members, managers, and operating agreement flexibility. Both have the same privacy and compliance regime. Choice depends on use case and U.S. counterparty preferences.
Are bearer shares allowed in Nevis?
No. Bearer shares were eliminated under the modernized NBCO. All shares are registered shares held in the company's share register, maintained by the registered agent and not publicly accessible.