Cross-Border Structuring & Banking Readiness

You can incorporate a company on your own, but you’ll likely spend weeks navigating unfamiliar regulations, certification requirements, and filing processes — and still miss something. The bigger issue is banking: most offshore banks will only open accounts through a trusted introducer. If you don’t have an established relationship with the bank, your application will be deprioritised or rejected outright. A provider like us handles the entire chain — incorporation, banking introduction, compliance setup — because we’ve done it thousands of times and have the relationships in place.

At a minimum, you’ll need a certified copy of your passport, a recent proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, issued within 3 months), a bank reference letter, a professional reference from a lawyer or accountant, and a source of funds declaration. Every director, shareholder, and beneficial owner must provide the same set. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — some need apostilled documents, others accept notarised copies. We’ll give you the exact checklist for your chosen jurisdiction before you start gathering anything.

It depends on the jurisdiction and how prepared your documentation is. Seychelles and BVI can be done in under a week once all documents are in order. Cyprus and Malta take longer — typically 2 to 4 weeks — due to heavier regulatory processes. The number one cause of delays is incomplete or incorrectly certified documentation. We review everything before submission to avoid back-and-forth with the registry.

Some banks allow fully remote account opening. Others require an in-person visit at some point during the process. It depends on the bank, the jurisdiction, and the nature of your business. We’ll tell you upfront which banking partners support remote opening for your specific situation. Typically, accounts are approved within 2 to 4 weeks after all documentation is submitted — the timeline depends on the complexity of your application and how quickly you respond to any additional requests from the bank.

Some jurisdictions require at least one director who is resident in the country of incorporation. Others have no residency requirements at all. If your preferred jurisdiction requires a local director, we can provide a nominee director through our network of vetted professionals. This is a standard arrangement — your ownership and control are protected through a management agreement or declaration of trust. We’ll advise on whether a nominee is needed and handle the appointment.