ST.

LUCÍA
Foster Swiss is an international company registered in Switzerland
targeted to furnish compliance and financial advice on a variety of
subjects related to company formation and business banking at an
international level.

We are specialized in business implementation in the different

jurisdictions, which means that we offer value added services
helping our clients with their expansion overseas.

Some of these services include:

advisory and consulting, visas, offices, nominee

director/shareholders/secretary, accomodation if needed…
to mention a few.
Consult with your assigned consultant for further information.
1. LEGAL FORMS

Internation Business Company (IBC)

A St. Lucia International Business Company (IBC) offers many offshore banking and financial services. The
flexibility of an IBC in this jurisdiction attracts many foreigners. St. Lucia is popular because it has never
been placed on an international blacklist or even suspected by any international organization financial
watchdog. It maintains strong anti-fraudulent and anti-money laundering laws to protect its offshore legal
entities and banking sectors.

Foreigners can form an IBC and own all of its shares.

IBC’s do not pay corporate, income, or capital gains taxes. However, U.S. taxpayers and everyone subject to
global income taxes must disclose all income to their governments.

IBC’s can conduct all types of global business.

There is no requirement for a minimum authorized capital or paid up share capital.

Only one shareholder is required to form an IBC. The shareholder can be a citizen of any country residing
anywhere. Natural persons or corporate bodies may be shareholders.

Only one director is required to form an IBC. The director can be a citizen of any country and residing
anywhere. Directors may be natural persons or corporate bodies. Nominee directors are allowed.

IBC’s must appoint a local registered agent and maintain a registered office address which may be the office
of the registered agent.

While the registered agent is required to maintain a register of the names and addresses of the shareholders
and directors, none of this information is made available to the public.

An IBC may elect to be totally exempt from income taxes or pay a 1% income tax rate. The reason for
election of the 1% income tax rate are for those wishing to use the CARICOM Double Tax Agreement where
the payment of income tax at any rate to one member exempts the legal entity from paying income taxes to
another member.

IBC’s are exempt from the capital gains tax. There are no stamp duties.
 Limited Liability Company

A St. Lucia Limited Liability Company (LCC) is actually called a Private Limited Company. There are two
types of limitations: limited by shares and limited by guarantee. The most popular is the limited by shares
because making guarantees can lead to higher liabilities which defeats the purpose of limiting one’s liabilities.

- Foreigners are welcome to form LLC’s and to own all their shares as long as no commerce or trade is
conducted inside the island. Foreigners may own all the shares in a LLC.

- All income earned outside the island is tax exempt. However, U.S. residents and others residing in
countries taxing global income must disclose all income to their governments.

- The LLC is required to appoint a minimum of two directors who can be natural persons or corporate
bodies. Like its shareholders, a director can be a citizen of any country and reside anywhere. Similarly, a
corporate body can be registered in any country.

- LLC’s must appoint a local registered agent to accept legal notices and process of service. A local office
address must be maintained as the official registered office. The registered agent typically provides his or
her office address for the LLC.

- No minimum authorized capital is required. In addition. There is no requirement for a paid up share
capital.

LLC’s have an option to choose between complete tax exemption and paying a 1% corporate (income) tax.
Members of the CARICOM Double Tax Agreement countries often choose the 1% taxation option because
it prevents paying a higher tax rate their resident country may impose who is a member of the CARICOM.

There is no capital gains tax or stamp duty.

A resident director is not requiered in Santa Lucia.

Holding companies are available in Santa Lucia.

2. BANK OPTIONS

LOCAL INTERNATIONAL
BANKS BANKS

BANK OF SANTA LUCIA SCOTIABANK

1st NATIONAL BANK OF CIBC BANK

SANTA LUCIA
CENTRAL BANK
SECURITY

International and digital banks are available.

CRS: YES.

Real banking operativeness: 90%.

Type of visa: EC$, €, $.

Joint accounts: YES.

Remote management account: To be consulted.

Wealth management: YES. Depending on the company rating.

Fees: Depends on the type of account.

Credit/Debit cards: Yes. In local currency.