Can SVG companies still hold forex licences?

No. The FSA stopped issuing and recognising forex brokerage licences in 2023; existing operators were required to obtain regulation elsewhere.

How much does an SVG IBC cost?

Formation is typically USD 1,000–1,800 with annual renewal in a similar range, materially below BVI and Cayman.

Is SVG good for yacht registration?

Yes for Caribbean charter operations. For superyachts and EU cruising, Isle of Man, Malta or Cayman registers are usually preferable.

Jurisdiction · Caribbean

St Vincent & the Grenadines

Low-cost IBCs and a well-known yacht register in the Grenadines.

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Overview

St Vincent & the Grenadines offers inexpensive international business companies, LLCs and trusts, plus a long-established yacht and ship register serving the Caribbean charter market. Formation is fast and annual costs are among the lowest available.

The financial services sector deliberately stepped back from forex and securities licensing after 2023 reforms, which improved the jurisdiction's standing. Treat SVG as a cost-efficient vehicle jurisdiction paired with banking elsewhere.

Typical use-cases

Where St Vincent & the Grenadines fits

IBCs
Yacht registration
Trading vehicles

Banking

Banking landscape

Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines and CIBC FirstCaribbean serve domestic needs. International structures bank in Mauritius, Switzerland, the UAE or through payment institutions. Local accounts for non-resident IBCs are difficult to obtain.

Tax

Tax & reporting

International business companies pay no tax on foreign-source income. Domestic corporate tax is 28% on local income. No capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. Annual government fees for IBCs are low relative to BVI or Cayman.

Substance

Substance & register visibility

Economic substance rules apply to relevant activities. Beneficial ownership is filed with the registered agent and the FSA on a private basis. The 2023 withdrawal of forex brokerage licensing removed the jurisdiction's most reputationally exposed sector.

Decision

When to pick this jurisdiction

Pick St Vincent for a low-cost holding or trading vehicle, or for registering a yacht in a Caribbean-friendly flag with straightforward charter arrangements.

The director's view

Written up as a comparative shortlist.

Every St Vincent & the Grenadines recommendation is delivered as a comparative memorandum — substance defensibility, banking access, treaty coverage, register visibility, cost to maintain and reputational risk — so the client can see the trade-offs before committing.

Next step

Considering St Vincent & the Grenadines? Get a written comparison first.

Answer six questions and a director will come back with a shortlist, indicative costs and banking route.

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Frequently asked

Questions we hear on every St Vincent & the Grenadines intake.

Can SVG companies still hold forex licences?: No. The FSA stopped issuing and recognising forex brokerage licences in 2023; existing operators were required to obtain regulation elsewhere.
How much does an SVG IBC cost?: Formation is typically USD 1,000–1,800 with annual renewal in a similar range, materially below BVI and Cayman.
Is SVG good for yacht registration?: Yes for Caribbean charter operations. For superyachts and EU cruising, Isle of Man, Malta or Cayman registers are usually preferable.

Relevant services