International offshore company formation

General
Type of Company	IBC
Political Stability	Good
Standard Authorised Capital	No
Tax on Offshore Profits	Nil
Corporate Requirements
Local Registered Office and Registered Agent Required	Yes
Minimum Number of Directors/Managers	1
Local Directors Required	No
Corporate Directors Permitted	Yes
Minimum Number of Shareholders/Members	1
Local Shareholders Required	No
Corporate Shareholders Permitted	Yes
Company Secretary Required	No, but normally appointed
Bearer Shares Allowed	Yes, but not available
Annual Requirements
Filing of Annual Return	No
Submit Audited Accounts	No
Min. Annual Tax / Licence Fees	US$150
Shelf Companies Available	Yes

GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
Niue is an independent democratic commonwealth country located in the South Pacific Ocean. Afoli, the capital of Niue, is the administrative and commercial centre. The Island is self governed by a local assembly of 20 members, headed up by the Premier. New Zealand is responsible for defence and international affairs and Nuieans are New Zealand citizens. The population of the island is approximately 2,000. Offshore legislation was introduced in 1994 including banking, insurance and trust legislation to enable the Island to offer a complete range of offshore products.

LANGUAGE
The official and spoken language is English but Polynesian is widely spoken.

TYPE OF LAW
Based on English Common Law with local modifications.

COMPANY INFORMATION

TYPE OF COMPANY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
International Business Company (IBC)

TIME TO INCORPORATE
One Day, but allow five working days for receipt of documentation.

RESTRICTIONS ON NAME AND ACTIVITY
Names must end with one of the following words, or their relevant abbreviations - Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Societe Anonyme, Sociedad Anonima.

The following names and their associated activities, cannot be used: Assurance, Bank, Building Society, Savings, Loans, Insurance, Chartered, Fund, Royal, Trust, Chamber of Commerce, University Co-operative and Municipal.

CLASSES OF SHARES PERMITTED
Registered shares, bearer shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.

DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TO AUTHORITIES
No.

LICENCE FEES
The annual licence for an IBC is US$150 per year.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records, which reflect the financial position of a company.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, it does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any error or omission.