FAQs

Currently, any BVI business company carrying on insurance business in or from within the BVI must be licensed by the FSC to do so. All intermediary (agent and broker) licence holders must be BVI business companies. An application, which can be found in the Insurance section of our website (Approved forms and Guidelines) must be submitted to the BVI FSC along with the required documents for consideration.

A Company Manager is an entity that carries out company management business only, which is defined by the Company Management Act, 1990 as, "the provision of company management services for profit or reward in or from within the Virgin Islands".

A General Trust Licence holder is an entity which holds a valid general trust licence as prescribed by the Banks and Trust Companies Act, 1990 and enables the holder to carry on trust business without restrictions. Trust business as defined by this Act means "the business of (a) acting as a professional trustee, protector or administrator of a trust or settlement, (b) managing or administering any trust or settlement, and (c) company management as defined by the Company Management Act, 1990.

A Restricted Trust Licence holder is an entity which holds a valid restricted trust licence as prescribed by the Banks and Trust Companies Act, 1990 and allows the holder to carry on trust business with restrictions specifically providing trustee services to a limited number of trusts.

A registered agent as defined by the International Business Companies Act ("IBCA") means "the person who is at any particular time performing the functions of registered agent of a company incorporated under this Act pursuant to subsection (1) of section 39" (of the IBCA).

An Authorised Agent is a person designated by a trust company to act as an intermediary between the licence holder and the Commission.

A principle office is the office of the Company Manager or Trust Licence holder with a physical presence in the (British) Virgin Islands.

A Trust Company is a company that carries on trust business as defined in (2) above.

Under the Banks and Trust Companies Act, 1990 General Trust Licence holders are required to have a minimum fully paid up capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars (US$250,000) or its equivalent in foreign currencies, or such sum as the Commission, by order determines, and has deposited or invested a sum of money as may be specified by the Commission but not to exceed $100,000.

Applicants for a Restricted Trust Licence are not subject to capital requirements.

Under the Company Management Act, 1990, a Company Manager is required to have a minimum paid up capital of twenty five thousand dollars (US$25,000).

The minimum requirements for obtaining a Company Management Licence are: proven company management experience, a minimum paid up capital of twenty five thousand dollars (US$25,000) and physical presence in the British Virgin Islands. The application fee is two hundred dollars (US$200). Special Note: These requirements are by no means exhaustive.

Note: A consensus has now emerged that only in circumstances where the institution concerned is of blue chip international stature and renown, whose presence in the jurisdiction would be a fillip to the reputation of the BVI as a situs for conduct of international business; or where the institution concerned will be providing additional services not currently provided within the jurisdiction, will company management licences be granted to companies other than companies with local ownership and a physical presence here in the BVI. In both cases, the company is expected to establish its own physical presence and apply for a general trust licence within two years of the grant of the licence. All other interests will initally have to apply for a General Trust Licence.

The minimum requirements for obtaining a General Trust Licence are: a minimum paid up capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars (US$250,000), proven trust experience and the applicant must satisfy our "fit and proper" criteria. Special Note: These requirements are by no means exhaustive.

In addition, an applicant who receives written confirmation that the granting of a general trust licence has been approved is required to make the following investment deposits:

• Twenty thousand dollars (US$20,000.) where the licensee provides registered agent services for no companies, or for companies not exceeding 1,500 in number; or
• Forty thousand dollars (US$40,000.) where the licensee provides registered agent services for companies exceeding 1,500 in number.

The minimum requirements for obtaining a Restricted Trust Licence are: proven trust experience and the applicant must meet our "fit and proper" criteria. There are no minimum capital requirements. Special Note: These requirements are by no means exhaustive.

When changing a shareholder/beneficial interest of a licence holder, the Commission must be presented with a breakdown of the Company's proposed shareholding (which must indicate the number and percentage of shares held by each proposed shareholder). Also, information on the new shareholder must include the following:

• Two character references
• A police certificate/affidavit as to non-criminal record
• A completed personal questionnaire
• Notarized copy of individual passport identification page(s).
• Complete resume

The annual licence fee for a:

1. Company Management Licence: five hundred dollars (US$500) plus ten dollars (US$10) for each company under management.
2. General Trust Licence: ten thousand dollars (US$10,000).
3. Restricted Trust Licence: three hundred dollars (US$300).

Payment of these annual licence (renewal) fees are due during the month of January.