Business accounts: Nevis
An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.
Nevis is an island in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean with its own financial legislation. It registers limited liability companies and Nevis business corporations, valued for asset protection and simple maintenance. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at 2.70. The main practical question for an owner of a Nevis company is not registration but the bank account.
A Nevis company: what to know
- Registration is handled by the Nevis Financial Services Regulation and Supervision Department through a local registered agent.
- Government fees under the schedule updated in April 2025: about $320 in the first year and $330 for annual renewal, the same for an LLC and a corporation.
- A non-resident company pays no tax on foreign-source income, while Nevis-source income is taxed under local rules.
- Owner and director details are held by the registered agent, who must disclose them on request from the authorities.
We will calculate online the cost of opening an account for your company and maintaining it for a year.
Where a Nevis company opens an account
| Option | Who it suits | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| A bank in Saint Kitts or Nevis | companies active on the island: tourism, property, trade | local address, permits, an in-person meeting |
| A bank in another jurisdiction | holding and asset protection companies | the owner's link to the bank's country, a large balance, a clear structure |
| A licensed payment institution | trading and service companies with clear turnover | website, contracts, client countries |
Local banks primarily serve residents of the federation and companies with real activity on the islands. An international Nevis company with no link to the island more often opens an account abroad, and we choose the option for your goal before applying.
Starting a business on Nevis
If the company will operate on the island itself, besides registration it needs a business licence from the Nevis Island Administration, registration with the Nevis Inland Revenue and Social Security, and for foreigners who work in the company themselves a work permit. Without these a local bank will not open an account.
Asset protection and the bank's view
Nevis companies are chosen for asset protection: under local law a creditor challenging a transfer of company property must post a bond before filing suit, and recovery against a member's debts is limited to a charge on their distributions. For a bank this is not a negative but a question: it wants to understand what risks the assets are protected from and that they are of lawful origin. So in the file we explain the structure's purpose on one page, with the source of capital and an ownership chart.
What the bank checks
- Articles and certificate of formation, a certificate of good standing, director and owner details from the agent.
- Passports, proof of address and a bank reference letter for owners and directors.
- The company's purpose: asset protection, holding, trading - and why Nevis was chosen.
- Source of capital and expected turnover.
Timeline
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Company registration through an agent | a few working days |
| Apostille and certification of corporate documents | 1-2 weeks |
| Preparing the bank file | 1-2 weeks |
| Bank review | 4-10 weeks |
Why banks refuse Nevis companies
- The structure looks like a way to hide the owner and its purpose is not explained.
- There is no link either to the island or to the bank's country.
- The source of capital is not documented.
- Higher-risk activity: crypto, gambling, payment intermediation.
- Owners are from sanctioned or higher-risk countries.
How we help
We assess where your Nevis company can realistically open an account: on the islands, in another country or with a payment institution. We prepare apostilled corporate documents, the source of capital file and a description of the structure's purpose, apply and follow the review until a decision. If there is no company yet, we register it through an agent and build it around the bank's requirements from the start.
What we do
- Corporate account - opening assistance
See also
Company formation · Personal account · Investment property
FAQ
Can a Nevis company open a bank account?
Is a local director required for a Nevis company?
What does a bank ask for a Nevis company?
Is there an alternative to a bank for an offshore company?
How much does it cost to maintain a Nevis company?
Does a Nevis company pay tax?
Looking for a bank for your Nevis company?
We find a bank on Nevis or abroad for your company or LLC, prepare the pack with source of funds and follow the application to the bank's decision. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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