Services · Company formation
Marshall Islands company registration in 2026
A non-resident company for holdings, vessels and international trade: registration in one business day, settlement in US dollars. We handle documents, reporting and the bank account end to end.
The Marshall Islands is a Pacific island state linked to the United States by a Compact of Free Association. The official currency is the US dollar, and there is no central bank and no exchange control. The country is best known for one of the world's largest ship registries, so local companies are most often used to own vessels, as holding companies, for joint ventures and to hold assets. Companies for business outside the country are registered by the official registrar, which works through offices in several countries.
Which company to open
| Option | Used for | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident corporation | holding, vessel ownership, trade and investment outside the country | does not do business in the islands |
| Non-resident limited liability company | joint ventures, asset holding, flexible management | same restriction, managed under an operating agreement |
| Local company with a foreign owner | business in the islands: tourism, fishing, services | foreign investment business license |
For most of our clients a non-resident corporation fits best: it pays no local tax on income earned outside the country and is the fastest to register.
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
How to register a non-resident company: steps
- Name check. The name is written in Roman characters in any language with an internationally accepted suffix, and it can be reserved free of charge for up to six months. We prepare two alternatives.
- Share structure. The standard is 500 shares without par value or par value shares up to $50,000. Above that, a one-time capitalization tax applies.
- Ownership details. The company must know its ultimate beneficial owners, the individuals who own or control it, and file their details with the registrar.
- Registration. Once the pack is complete, the company is registered in one business day. Directors can be elected, bylaws adopted and an apostille added at the same time.
- Account and reporting. We open an account in a suitable country and put the annual obligations in the calendar.
What the company files every year
| Obligation | What is required |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | paid on the anniversary of registration, otherwise the company loses good standing |
| Beneficial ownership information | filed on formation and then annually; dedicated beneficial ownership regulations apply from 7 December 2023 |
| Economic substance report | annually since 2020: the company confirms it carries on no relevant activity or proves its presence in the islands |
| Penalty for breaches | up to $50,000 or striking off the register |
The economic substance rule covers holding, financing and leasing, shipping, fund management, headquarters, intellectual property, banking and insurance business. If the company earns such income, it must be directed and managed from the islands, with board meetings held there with a quorum present. So we check the structure before registration.
If you need a business in the islands
A foreigner who wants to do business in the Marshall Islands obtains a foreign investment business license from the Registrar of Foreign Investment in the Attorney General's office. The application fee is $250 and review usually takes 7-10 working days. Some sectors are closed to foreigners: small retail with annual turnover under $50,000, small-scale agriculture and water taxis. Larger wholesale and retail trade requires at least 51% local ownership. Registering a local company requires in-person filing and takes 3-5 business days.
Taxes and the account
A non-resident company pays no Marshall Islands tax on income earned outside the country. This does not remove taxes in the country where the owners live or where the company is actually managed, so we check the tax structure in advance. The banking sector in the islands is very small, just three commercial banks, and they generally do not open accounts for non-resident companies. We open the account for such a company in another country where the bank understands its business.
Why problems arise
- The company earns holding or shipping income but did not account for the economic substance rules.
- Beneficial ownership information was not filed on time or does not match the bank's records.
- The annual fee was not paid and the company lost good standing.
- A bank in another country does not understand why a Marshall Islands company is needed.
What we do
Murblz specialists review the task and the tax consequences for the owners, register the company, prepare beneficial ownership filings, apostille and corporate documents, choose a bank and support the account opening. Every year we remind you of the fee and reports and prepare them. If another country fits your goal better, we say so at once. Package prices are in the table below.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Base package | $4 600 |
| Package with nominee service (incl. full nominee service) | $7 700 |
| Package with bank pre-approval (incl. bank account pre-approval) | $8 900 |
A Marshall Islands company is registered in a day, but an account takes weeks
A non-resident company in the Marshall Islands can be registered only through a registered agent. Mistakes cost more than the fees: the annual fee and reports filed late, owner details that do not match the bank's documents, a vessel or holding without a clear structure that banks will not take on. We register the company in one working day, prepare the documents and annual reports and help open the account.
The cost of support depends on the activity and the bank; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property
FAQ
How long does Marshall Islands company registration take?
Does the company pay tax in the Marshall Islands?
What reports must be filed every year?
Can the company open an account in the islands?
Can I run a business in the Marshall Islands?
How much does registration with your help cost?
Want to register a company in the Marshall Islands?
We register a Marshall Islands non-resident company, including for shipping or holding, and help find a bank abroad. 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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