Updated
SRV-VU-BIZ
Vanuatu Business Services
Business inVanuatu
A company, licences and an account for a Vanuatu citizen. We register the company, arrange the business licence and name, register for VAT and open a bank account — as one matter, remotely.
- A full launch: company, licence, VAT, account — in one matter
- Remote — through a licensed agent
- A continuation of your citizen matter: the status is already confirmed
01 / What we arrange
What we arrange for a business in Vanuatu
Four launch elements — separately or as one matter. Citizen status simplifies the path: you operate in your own country, not as a foreign investor.
Company registration
A Vanuatu company for a citizen: articles, structure, registration with the state authorities and appointment of directors.
Business licence and name
Name registration and a licence for the type of activity — under the authority’s rules for the specific industry.
VAT registration
VAT registration where the company’s turnover or type of activity requires it.
Bank account
A company account or a citizen’s personal account: bank selection, the file and support through opening.
02 / Who it is for
Who needs a Vanuatu company and why
The page’s agreed position: the company is used for lawful international activity with the rules of the countries where you live and pay taxes taken into account.
International activity
A company for trade, services and work with counterparties across countries — with a clear jurisdiction and management.
The tax regime
Vanuatu is known for zero rates on several key taxes. How the regime applies to you is reviewed against your countries of residency; the detailed analysis is in the tax article.
A citizen’s business, not a foreigner’s
A citizen runs the business in their own country: fewer barriers and a clear standing with authorities and banks.
An account for the activity
A working company needs an account — we match the bank to the activity profile and payment geography.
A company, a licence and an account — one matter, one coordinator
03 / Scope of work
What the launch includes
We run the matter from structure to a working account.
Structure and documents
We prepare the articles and registration forms and agree the ownership and management structure.
Registrations with the authorities
The company, name, business licence and VAT — filed through a licensed agent, duties paid against official invoices.
The bank file
The bank package: company documents, proof of activity and source of funds.
Handover
The finished company documents, account details and a calendar of obligations — what to file and when.
04 / Cost
Cost of the launch
The quote depends on the scope: the company alone or a full launch with an account.
Government duties
The Vanuatu authorities’ tariffs for registering the company, name, licence and VAT — confirmed by invoice.
Launch scope
The company alone, the company with a licence, or a full launch with an account — three different quotes.
The bank
The bank’s file and verification requirements — they depend on the activity profile.
BRIDGES support
Legal handling of the matter from structure to a working account.
The final quote follows once the activity is clear. We never treat unpublished fees as zero — the authorities’ current invoices are confirmed before filing.
05 / The process
How the launch works
Five steps — from the task to a working account.
Task and structure
We review the activity, client geography and structure requirements and agree the launch scope.
Company registration
We prepare the documents and register the company through a licensed agent.
Licence and name
We register the name and obtain the business licence for the type of activity.
VAT
We register the company for VAT where the activity requires it.
Account
We select the bank, prepare the file and support the account opening through to the first transactions.
Timelines depend on the Vanuatu authorities and the bank: we give an estimate once the launch scope is clear.
06 / What we need from you
What we need from you
The basic set for a business launch.
Citizen documents
The Vanuatu passport and the certificate of citizenship.
Activity description
What the business does, who the clients are and in which countries — for the licence and the bank.
Ownership structure
The company’s members and directors — for the registration forms.
Proof of funds
Source of funds for the bank — statements and documents to the bank’s requirements.
07 / Team
Who runs the launch
Business matters are handled by the corporate department and the banking solutions department together with the Vanuatu team.
Robert HaasCorporate LawyerCorporate structure: the company, licences, registrations
Eva LauriHead of OperationsOperations: accounting, company secretary, registered address
Nikos PappasBanking Relations SpecialistBanking solutions: bank selection and account opening
Yan NovakWealth Structuring AdvisorAsset structuring: confirming the capital09 / Questions
Business in Vanuatu questions
As a rule, no: registration runs through a licensed agent by power of attorney. If the authority or the bank requires a personal step, we tell you before the work begins.
Vanuatu is known for zero rates on several key taxes, but the outcome for you depends on the countries where you live and qualify as a tax resident. We review this before the launch — the detailed analysis is in the Vanuatu tax article.
To operate, the licence and name registration are arranged under the authority’s rules for the specific industry. We confirm the requirements when reviewing your task.
VAT registration depends on the company’s turnover and type of activity. We check applicability at launch and register the company where required.
The bank is matched to the activity profile and payment geography: it can be a Vanuatu bank or a foreign one. The catalogue of directions is in the BRIDGES bank accounts section.
Company documents, an activity description and proof of the source of funds. We prepare the file to the chosen bank’s requirements.
Yes. Citizen status is confirmed against the Vanuatu government registers — then the launch proceeds in the usual order.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
