Services · Company formation
Company registration in the Cayman Islands in 2026
An exempted company for business outside the islands: General Registry fees by authorised capital, annual payments and economic substance requirements.
Foreigners in the Cayman Islands usually register an exempted company: it does business outside the islands and pays no local tax on profits. General Registry fees depend on authorised capital. With capital up to CI$42,000, about $51,300, registration costs about $860 and the annual fee about $1,200, which is why authorised capital is usually kept within that band.
Registry fees in 2026
| Authorised capital, CI$ | Registration | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| up to 42,000 | 700, ~$860 | 925, ~$1,200 |
| 42,001-820,000 | 1,000, ~$1,300 | 1,225, ~$1,500 |
| 820,001-1,640,000 | 1,984, ~$2,500 | 2,209, ~$2,700 |
| over 1,640,000 | 2,568, ~$3,200 | 2,793, ~$3,500 |
The rate is the official peg of CI$0.82 to $1. A one-month name reservation costs about $80.
Registration is about $860, a late annual fee means penalties and strike-off
You cannot set up a Cayman company without a licensed corporate services provider. But mistakes cost more than the fees: declared capital above the threshold that raises the annual fees, a missed annual return deadline, beneficial ownership and economic substance filings made late, and a bank that will not open an account for an exempted company with no clear activity. Murblz specialists choose the company type and capital, run the owners' check, register the company and track annual fees and filings.
The cost of support depends on the company type, ownership structure and whether you need an account; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Annual fee and late penalties
The annual fee is paid at the start of the year, by 31 March. Later it rises: from April to June the penalty is a third of the fee, from July to September two thirds, and from October to December 100%, so the fee is paid twice over. Companies that do not pay for long are struck off.
What else the company needs
- A registered office and a licensed provider on the islands.
- A register of ultimate owners held by the provider.
- An annual economic substance notification; companies in activities such as holding, financing or fund management need real presence on the islands.
More on taxes on our Cayman Islands taxes page.
Company types and registration fees
| Company type | Registration with capital up to CI$42,000 |
|---|---|
| Ordinary resident | 300, ~$370 |
| Ordinary non-resident | 900, ~$1,100 |
| Exempted | 700, ~$860 |
| Exempted limited duration | 900, ~$1,100 |
A certificate of good standing costs CI$150, about $190. An exempted company's register of members is not filed with the registry and is not public, and it can be kept outside the islands. An annual general meeting is not required unless the articles say otherwise. The beneficial ownership transparency act has applied since 31 July 2024, and since 28 February 2025 only those who show a legitimate interest, such as fighting money laundering, can access the register.
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
Why registration gets delayed
- The provider has not finished its checks: proof of address or source of funds is missing.
- The name duplicates an existing one or needs a licence.
- The activity falls under economic substance rules and there is no plan to meet them.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Company registration, Base package | $14 400 |
| Company registration, Package with nominee service | $17 500 |
| Company registration, Package with bank pre-approval | $18 700 |
| Trust registration fee | $1 200 |
| Trust annual government fee | $595 |
| Trust certificate | $180 |
| Document filing fee | $180 |
| Expedited certificate issuance | $240 |
| Expedited registration | $960 |
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · All country programs
FAQ
How much does company registration cost in the Cayman Islands?
When is the Cayman annual fee due?
Does a Cayman company pay tax?
Is economic substance required in the Cayman Islands?
How long does registration take in the Cayman Islands?
Is a Cayman company's shareholder list public?
Setting up a company or fund in the Cayman Islands?
We choose the Cayman company form, including for a fund, prepare the documents, register it and explain the economic substance rules. 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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