Incorporating In Nevis
USA Corporate Services has been helping businesses, investors, attorneys, accountants and other professionals with their offshore company needs since 1992. We offer services in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese as well as in English, in order to best serve the needs of our diverse clientele. Our staff provides you with fast, efficient and friendly service, and will be glad to handle your questions regarding the jurisdictions we handle.
In 1984, the Government of the Caribbean island of Nevis enacted a modern corporate statute entitled the
Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance 1984. The Ordinance is based upon American corporate law,
particularly New York and Delaware corporate laws, and is very flexible; however, the Ordinance also
contains many features of British corporate law, is easily understood, and can be comfortably utilized by
practitioners familiar with either or both types of corporate statutes.
As more fully described under "Profile of Nevis" in this brochure, Nevis is a part of the Federation of St.
Kitts and Nevis, an independent member of the British Commonwealth and the United Nations. The
Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is a democratic nation and its legal system is modeled after the British,
with the Privy Council of England being the court of last resort.
The Government of Nevis is committed to economic development through a strong private sector, and has
invested heavily to ensure the highest levels of service available. One hour incorporation is the norm and,
in cooperation with the Registrar of Companies on Nevis, USA Corporate Services Inc. is able to effect
filings, obtain good standing certificates, and produce other desired corporate documents rapidly after
receipt of instructions.
Important Features of the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance 1984
- No taxes are levied in Nevis upon income, dividends or distributions of a Nevis company which are not
earned on the island. Corporate financial returns need not be filed in Nevis.
- Shareholders, directors and officers may be of any nationality and reside anywhere.
- No annual or other reports are required to be filed in the public records of Nevis; changes of
shareholders, directors or officers need not be reported to the Registrar of Companies in Nevis.
- Shares may be in registered or bearer form.
- Shares with par value may be denominated in any currency.
- A Managing Director may be appointed to guide the corporation's activities.
- The corporate Secretary may be a corporation or an individual.
- Companies may serve as directors. Alternate or substitute directors may be appointed.
- Shareholders and directors may act by unanimous consent, without a meeting. Shareholders and
directors may issue proxies in writing or by telex.
- The company's records and its principal office may be located anywhere.
- Nevis companies may amend their Articles of Incorporation, merge or consolidate with foreign
corporations, or other Nevis corporations, or file Articles of Dissolution in accordance with liberal
provisions contained in the Ordinance.
- Any corporation formed in another jurisdiction may redomicile on Nevis pursuant to certain easily
followed provisions set forth in the Ordinance.
- Corporate law based on New York and Delaware statutes.
Profile of Nevis
Nevis was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. Rich in both scenic
beauty and history, it is one of the Lesser Antilles. The island was claimed by Spain but was not settled by
Europeans until the English arrived in 1628. The Spanish name for Nevis was "Nuestra Senora de las
Nievas", meaning "Our Lady of the Snows," and it was anglicized to "Nevis." Mount Nevis, in the center of
the Island, towers 3,265 feet and is usually enveloped in clouds which can sometimes appear as a snow
cap, hence the origin of the name.
The climate is nearly perfect and the variation in altitude and soil conditions on this 36 square mile island
creates a natural garden of tropical vegetation ranging from rain forest to near desert. Brilliant flowers and
exotic fauna abound. On the Caribbean side there is an unspoiled four mile long beach, a quarter mile of
which has been taken up by the new 196 room Four Seasons Resort. It is a combined Canadian,
Japanese and French project and is reported to be the first major Japanese property investment in the
Caribbean.
The Government wishes to increase tourism but insists that all development be of five-star quality, and has
rejected mass tourism as official policy.
The visitor attracted to Nevis usually appreciates the historical character of the island. The population is
approximately 8,000 today, about one-third of what it was when sugar was supreme and the value of
exports from Nevis exceeded that of any single British colony in North America. Alexander Hamilton, a
founding father of the United States and first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in Charlestown in 1757.
His home has been reconstructed and the lower level houses a museum and the upper level the meeting
chamber for the Nevis Island Assembly.
Nevis was a British colony from 1628 until 1983, when it became independent and joined the Federation
of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Federation is an active member of the British Commonwealth and the United
Nations. Nevis is a vigorous democracy based upon the British parliamentary system with an elected
local assembly. The largest expenditure by the Government is for education, and Nevis has achieved a
literacy rate of 96%: one of the highest rates in the Western Hemisphere. An independent study has
ranked the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis as one of the ten freest nations in the world for seven years
running. Combined with a low crime rate, full employment and lack of drug related difficulties, Nevis is
exceptionally stable politically. The per capita income is about U.S. $5,000.00 per annum. The political
parties reflect this stability in that they are both centrist and do not have substantial ideological
differences.
Four years ago, the Government privatized telecommunications, and Cable and Wireless of England has
since installed a state of the art fiber optic digital system. The number of telephones has increased
threefold in four years and any part of the world may be direct-dialed from Nevis without difficulty.
Advantages of Incorporating in Nevis
Confidentiality
Total confidentiality and anonymity. No requirement to disclose beneficial ownership; no requirement to
file annual reports of financial nature or otherwise. Bearer shares permitted. Confidential Relationship Act
of 1985 assures security of company's financial and banking activities.
Tax Exemption
Full exemption from all forms of Nevis taxation for income not earned in Nevis
Convenience
Fast and easy incorporation process.
Flexibility
No minimum capitalization requirement before commencing business. Complete freedom from currency
regulations and exchange controls.
Low Cost
Inexpensive incorporation charges and annual maintenance fees. Fixed annual fees for all corporations
regardless of capital.
Uses of Nevis Corporations
Holder of bank accounts, trusts, deposits, investment plans and other financial & commercial title; Owner
of shares of other corporations or legal entities;
Owner of apartments, houses, buildings, ships and other movable or immovable property;
Manager and promoter of international business transactions;
Leasing of vehicles, machinery and other equipment;
Conduit to give and receive funds for loans and commissions;
Marketing and promotion of goods and services;
Mutual Fund and Unit Trust establishment
