Business abroad, or where it is better for a Russian to start his own business. How to open a business abroad Is it possible to open a business abroad

Starting your own business- this always implies a lot of work, the application of all efforts and incredible efforts. In many ways, the successful opening of a business depends on how prepared you are for all the upcoming difficulties, and, unfortunately, there are a lot of them ...

But half of them can be avoided with a well-designed plan of all actions. All businessmen start their entrepreneurial activity by drawing up a detailed and well thought-out business plan.

A business plan is all those points that need to be followed while moving towards success.

All the little things should be taken into account, and it is to the little things that you should pay special attention. Business is a very peculiar and tricky thing.

The success of a business can be disrupted by the smallest problem, which previously, it would seem, did not pose any threat to the successful prosperity of your business.

There are especially many such minor problems if you want to open your own business abroad. We have only one citizenship - Russian. But what if you want to, for example, in Germany, or America?

We do not have citizenship and registration, but it is still possible to open a case. In this article, we will look at how to open a business abroad without being a citizen of it.

Starting a business abroad primarily involves the purchase of commercial real estate. It should be noted that in many foreign countries, commercial real estate is much cheaper than in Russia. Russian real estate, of course, is acceptable for the wallet, but it is gradually growing.

New business ideas here: http: // website /

This is due to the fact that construction is mainly going on residential premises, but there are practically no commercial premises. If we have set a goal for Germany, then it is worth negotiating with the German government.

A permission to buy real estate is not required, but to organize a business - this is all decided through the administration of the city where you want to do business. You need a visa, a passport, and identity documents, that is, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, certificates from banks, medical certificates. They also need a carefully prepared business plan that they can review upon request.

Having provided these documents, most likely, there will be an interview. You need to prepare for this, behave confidently, not worry, and answer all questions competently. It is advisable to know the language of the country in which you are located.

Success, of course, cannot be guaranteed one hundred percent. But now investments in foreign business are very supported, and young businessmen can try themselves in such a difficult business ...

The specifics of opening companies abroad

If your business is significantly stronger and ready to enter international market or are you just interested in a question like setting up a company abroad, contact law firm Janis Consulting. The specialists of the law firm "Yanis Consulting" have a sufficient level of experience and professional excellence to provide comprehensive support for the registration of enterprises and companies in all kinds of fields of activity in any country in the world. With our help, you will quickly and painlessly bypass all the "sharp corners" and bring your business to the international arena.

Even wise by experience successful entrepreneur, bringing their business to international level and starting opening a company abroad, may, due to his extreme employment, make a number of mistakes in this complex matter, which, at first glance, may seem insignificant, but will bring serious troubles in the future. Opening companies abroad provides for careful thought over the concept of their development and further activities. At the same time, it is imperative to take into account the economic situation within the country in which the opening of the company is planned, the peculiarities of its tax system and other factors. In addition, you need to thoroughly know all the legal points - such as, for example, required list documents when registering a company, etc.

Lawyers of the law firm "Yanis Consulting" offer a turnkey company registration. This means that we will provide you with all the information necessary for the implementation of this procedure, as well as help with the preparation of a package of necessary documents. Registration of a turnkey company with the law firm Yanis Consulting provides for:

1.Customized development of a unique company name.

2.Preparation of all the necessary information, without which it is impossible successful work companies.

3. Choosing a country for company registration.

4. Help in choosing the form of ownership of the enterprise.

5. Registration of all necessary documentation.

6. Company registration.

7. Help in choosing a bank and opening an account.

8. Legal support of the company, providing advice and assistance in submitting reports.

We can assist in the registration of new companies "to order", as well as help the client to become the owner of an existing registered company. Each foreign project of the law firm "Yanis Consulting" is purely individual, as it embodies all the ideas and wishes of the client.

When choosing a country for opening a company abroad we are always guided by the terms of reference entrepreneurial activity in each specific country and select the most favorable options that guarantee minimal risks and the broadest prospects for the future.

The presence of a branch in one of the EU countries always contributes to the growth of the company's image, emphasizes its reliability and respectability. For any entrepreneur registration of a company abroad Is a guarantee:

formation of a positive image;

growing trust from customers, suppliers and partners;

unhindered access to the world market;

the stability of the financial system;

ease of maintenance accounting and financial reporting;

liberal tax legislation.

Regardless of the scope of your company, business goals, sources of profit and the form of ownership of the company, a team of experienced professionals of the law firm "Janis Consulting" will help you expand your business and enter a completely new international level for you.

Domestic entrepreneurs are increasingly looking at the neighboring countries of Europe in search of a comfortable and cozy place to open their business abroad.
Moreover, they are looking not for an offshore in the classical sense of the word to hide income or savings, but for a jurisdiction with a really working economy, which will make it possible to calmly build and develop your business while staying at home.

Where and how

And for this it is absolutely not necessary to rush somewhere to the Balkans or to Scandinavia. Even the states bordering on us, or located in an hour of summer, are quite suitable if you want to open a business abroad. For example, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia.

The seller can sell the product with his own foreign company with a minimum mark-up and make the main mark-up already on subsequent resales to real buyers, paying income tax in the country of residence of your business.

Also, the export of goods through your own non-resident company allows you to completely eliminate the risk of non-return of foreign exchange earnings and prevent the accrual of penalties for such non-return.

The good news is that often in the EU states there are no requirements for the mandatory sale of currency. There is one more good news: We have double taxation treaties with all the countries mentioned, which allow residents of each state not to pay taxes twice.

These countries have never been included in the "black" lists and are not offshore according to the legislation of other states.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that almost all EU member states have stable tax laws, a supportive regulatory environment and minimum level corruption.

Interesting video on the topic:

Tax haven

One of the most important advantages of your own non-resident company is the legal minimization of tax liabilities. Many European countries have a lower income tax rate. In Poland and the Czech Republic, profit tax is 19%, in Latvia and Lithuania - 15%, in Estonia only distributed profit is taxed at all. Accordingly, if an entrepreneur reinvests earnings in business development (acquires fixed assets, replenishes working capital), he does not pay tax. In Slovakia, the income tax is 22%. However, there is no tax on dividends, as well as tax on the payment of dividends to a non-resident.

Latvia, Estonia and Hungary are ideal countries in terms of the tax burden on business. However, they are not considered offshore.

"Companies in these countries can be 100% foreign-owned, and the founders can be both residents and non-residents."

There are difficulties though. For example, investing in the authorized capital of a non-resident is associated with the need to obtain an individual license. Yes, this limitation can also be circumvented, but then there is a risk of getting on the pencil to the regulatory authorities.

In addition, the conditions for opening bank accounts are quite strict in European countries. The client must have not only an impeccable reputation, but also confirm the legality of the origin of funds. Especially when it comes to large amounts.

However, you can open a business abroad and fill up the authorized capital not immediately, but within a certain period(in some countries this is a common practice). And replenish it, for example, from retained earnings.

Get started - cheap

A business abroad at the stage of registration does not always require the personal presence of an entrepreneur in the country. For example, you can create a company in Estonia or Poland online. In some other countries, these procedures can be transferred to the shoulders of a trustee or intermediary. This, in fact, will determine the cost of registration and its duration. But on average new company will cost 2000-3000 euros, and it will be able to start its activities in 2-3 weeks. The package of documents for registration is usually universal. In order to register a business abroad for a non-resident individual, you only need a passport. If the founder is a non-resident legal entity, it is necessary to provide notarized copies of the Charter of the enterprise, extracts from the register of registration and the decision of the owners to create legal entity.

It is necessary to prepare the charter of the new company (or use a standard template, as in Estonia), the memorandum of association, the minutes of the constituent assembly on the establishment of the company. Additionally, the consent of the members of the management board will be required to hold these positions. Moreover, it will have to be notarized and translated into the language of the country in which the company is located. There are separate requirements for the director of the company. For example, in Slovakia, the leader can only be a citizen of this country or another EU state. In the Czech Republic, the appointment of a director of a legal entity is allowed. In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the duties of a director can be performed by both a resident and a foreigner.

A prerequisite for registering a legal entity is a legal address. The cost of address rental services ranges from 300 to 500 euros per year.

When registering a business abroad, you will need to open a bank account to which funds will be deposited for replenishment authorized capital... True, a start-up business is often given a deferral to monetize its charter. There are subtleties when registering online too.

A local ID card is required in Estonia. With its help, it is enough to go to the commercial register portal, fill in constituent documents and a statement answering question by question. A start-up account in one of the Estonian banks is also opened there.

But in order to receive an ID-card, you must permanently reside in Estonia and have a residence permit or a right of residence. However, there is an alternative option - to issue the status of "e-resident". It is issued to foreigners who do not intend to live in the country, but want to do business there. They are provided with a special Digi-ID, on the basis of which they can also open a company remotely.

Registering a business abroad is only half the battle. It is important to ensure the reality of the company in order to avoid claims from tax and other government agencies.

The company must have a real office at a real address, local directors, a bank account in a local bank, storage of financial documents and reports on the territory of the country of registration, availability of a staff, implementation of real activities.

If it is not possible to fully meet these criteria, some of them can simply be bought. For example, the services of a nominee director in Estonia will cost 1,500 euros per year. This is the fee for the actual stay in the company. Any other services of the director are paid separately at the rate of an hourly rate of 250 euros in case of any active actions.

It must be remembered that any gesture around the company and within it will cost the owner money. How much is better to check with local consultants for each specific case. For example, in Lithuania, the cost of accounting support is about 1,500 euros per year. Issuing a power of attorney, notarization and apostille in Hungary costs about 350 euros. You will have to pay 40 euros for each signature of a nominee on documents in Latvia. The cost of sending documents in Slovakia is 120 euros. For an extract from commercial register in Poland, you need to spend 150 euros, and the fee for court translation of documents in the Czech Republic is 50 euros (per page). Let's make a reservation that the final price of all these procedures will depend on the availability of intermediaries, and some of the operations can be carried out independently. But in some cases, you cannot do without the help of local lawyers.

We bring in from the pocket

The founders of the company are not always obliged to immediately fill the authorized capital with money. For example, in Estonia, when registering a company in the form of LLC capital (its minimum volume is 2500 euros), you can simply declare. And the deadline for its formation must be indicated in the constituent documents.

In the Czech Republic, the authorized capital may even be 1 kroon. However, the regulatory authorities consider such companies to be unreliable. In addition, the scanty statutory fund reduces the chances of obtaining a business visa. Therefore, it is better to top up it with at least a couple of tens of thousands of crowns. Moreover, the money can be deposited within 5 years from the date of establishment of the company.
In Poland minimum size authorized capital of 5,000 zlotys (slightly more than 1,200 euros). Moreover, it can be filled not only with money, but also with tangible or intangible assets.

Business Abroad: The Experience of Entrepreneurs

Andrey, entrepreneur, owner of a concert agency (Poland).
Previously, a business abroad was registered mainly in order to obtain a visa. That is, it was a formality. For example, I bought the first company with ready-made documents, and got myself a job there, so that there were fewer problems with registration. Since there can be no questions for the hired employee in terms of a visa or a residence card (temporary residence permit in Poland), while there are additional requirements for a business owner. For example, so that the company has income.

If everything is clean and transparent, then there are no problems with the regulatory authorities. As well as attempts at corruption by officials. We came across a couple of times because a person worked for us, but was not employed. However, this is rather an exception. What else I want to note is a timely and hassle-free VAT refund, with which in our homeland great difficulties... In general, now, if there is no idea for a business, there is not much point in opening a company just to move. It is better then to find an employer abroad and negotiate employment. It is both easier and cheaper.

Evgeniya, Expert of the Strategy and Security Research Group (Slovakia).

In Slovakia, business migrants can be divided into two groups. There is a large "stratum" of those who moved to move their business here, through a Slovak company to open access to the EU market or start new. The main thing is to work in a relaxed atmosphere, with friendly clerks in tax office and other offices. Another group is entrepreneurs who need permanent residence abroad. They either continue to run their business at home, and buy real estate and land for a Slovak company with an eye to the future, or simply move to live in Slovakia, renting out real estate, investing in financial instruments and enjoying a quiet life. At the grassroots and middle level, there are basically no problems with taxes and reporting in Slovakia. As well as corruption. The exception is the migration police, where traditional incompetence and unwillingness to help happen. But, as a rule, everything in other departments is friendly and nice. Corruption starts higher up, near state tenders and projects for European funds, where the support of local authorities is required.

Business abroad - specifics of doing business + 5 factors that determine the choice of the country + step-by-step instruction how to organize a business + 9 countries for business.

The prospect of developing not only within their homeland increasingly attracts our entrepreneurs to open some business abroad.

In addition, many countries are only too happy to attract foreign investment.

Of course, you will have to face a number of difficulties - studying legislation, generating actual business idea, fundraising, language barrier.

But with a high level of motivation and the right attitude to work, everything will work out.

Today we will talk about the peculiarities of entrepreneurship abroad using the example of different countries, as well as the factors that you need to pay attention to when choosing them.

Features of doing business abroad

To organize a business abroad, you must first of all study the legislation of the state where you are going to conquer new horizons.

A business strategy should be based on the following points:

loyalty of the government to foreign entrepreneurs;
what share of the authorized capital of the company a foreigner can own;
availability of tax incentives for non-residents;
provision of state support.

The next point that you need to pay attention to if you want to have a business abroad is market research.

Having picked up a few in a particular state and think about how you can advertise your business.

Starting a business abroad will not work without a personal visit to the country.

Firstly, this way there is a chance to get to know the mentality better, and secondly, it’s easier and better to negotiate with suppliers and customers.

Factors Determining the Choice of a Country for Doing Business

There is no specific instruction on how to act if you want to have a business abroad.

After all, different states have their own characteristics - the political and economic situation, exchange rates, taxation.

Therefore, each case is considered separately.

There are a number of factors that determine the choice of the country in which business will be conducted:

Political situation.

It must be stable, and the government must not change laws every year.

In the first place are many European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Crime level.

You should be interested in precisely the economic crime in the state, which consists in the corruption of officials, the presence of raider seizures.

Laws regulating the entrepreneurial activity of foreigners.

Here it is worth considering how loyal the government is to non-residents who want to go abroad - is it required to obtain a residence permit or can you limit yourself to a long-term visa? authorized capital enterprises, how to obtain licenses or patents to operate.

Taxation system and the size of the minimum investment.

When choosing a state for doing business abroad, it is necessary to study tax legislation and make an assessment of the alleged case.

With high tax rates and a large amount of authorized capital, you may need to look at other regions where these indicators are much lower.

Culture and mentality.

Differences in culture and mentality can be a serious barrier to doing business abroad, because without cooperation with representatives of the country, it is impossible to build your own business.

Business planning abroad

When planning a business abroad, you need to be more than careful, prepare and draw up a clear plan of action.

You should be aware that running a business is not a resort.

You will have to create new jobs, pay taxes, order materials, and sell goods or provide your services.

So, in order to open a business abroad, you need to take the following steps:

Generation of multiple business ideas.

Come up with a few ideas based on your own knowledge and desires, as well as what you need to implement them abroad.

Selection of countries.

Depending on the ideas you come up with, look for countries in which they will be relevant.

To begin with, consider those that you have been to or that are close to you in spirit.

Also look for information on how busy they are in the market for what you want to sell.

If the idea is innovative, then think about where it will be received with joy and interest, and where it will definitely not be appreciated.

Narrowing down your choices.

After a superficial study, it will already become clear which ideas and in which regions can be implemented.

Choose a maximum of three overseas business areas in which you are ready to work and start exploring them more thoroughly.

Contacting legal advice.

In many large cities, you can find firms that provide advice on starting a business abroad.

There you can get information about the required documents, permits, opening times and the taxation system for foreigners.

Search for a lawyer.

Once you have decided on a business idea and government, find a lawyer who will handle registration issues.

He will make up and collect everything Required documents, will help in concluding contracts with counterparties.

The services of such a person are quite expensive, but without them it will hardly be possible to independently manage the whole process.

Business abroad on the example of 9 countries

Now you can go to the list of countries where you can start a business abroad.

Each of them will have its own characteristics, let's try to briefly consider the main ones.

1. United States of America

The USA is one of the best and most advanced countries where you can start your business abroad.

As for doing business by non-residents of the country, in fact, everything is quite simple.

The main difficulty will be getting a visa.

The procedure for registering companies is similar to ours - choosing a legal form, drawing up a unique name, renting premises, recruiting staff, obtaining permits and licenses, registering with the tax service, opening a bank account.

Insurance against losses and force majeure is compulsory.

2. Canada

"The lucky person is the person who did what others were about to do."
Jules Renard

If you are looking to start a business overseas, then take a look at Canada.

The government of the country supports entrepreneurs.

For example, there is a program to help immigrants who want - The Canada Immigrant Investor Program.

In addition, here you can get a loan on favorable terms under the program to support young entrepreneurs under the age of 29.

To start a business in Canada, you must meet one of three requirements:

You must be a qualified professional with higher education, work experience and knowledge of state languages.
You must be an entrepreneur in your home country who was able to profit from your business in the amount of $ 300,000.
You want to be an overseas business investor who has honestly earned $ 1,600,000, half of which you are willing to invest in a business in Canada.

3. Brazil

Deciding to do business abroad, many forget about South America.

And its striking representative is Brazil.

Despite the fact that the government of the country encourages foreign investors, it is not easy to settle here.

You will need at least $ 50,000, which will give you a "pass" and even the ability to obtain a residence permit.

If you can convince the Immigration Board of the value of your business, then this amount can be reduced.

But still get ready for big expenses.

For example, to get a legal address abroad, you will need to pay more than $ 10,000.

In addition, Brazil is a country with high level corruption and a complex tax system.

4. Argentina

Fast and easy registration, relatively small investment and friendly attitude towards foreigners - all this makes Argentina attractive for those who want to start a business abroad.

The main features inherent in starting and doing business in Argentina:

the minimum amount of the authorized capital is $ 12,000;
the cost of the procedure for registering a business abroad - $ 7,000;
to become an investor, who will then have a residence permit, you need to invest about $ 170,000.

5. Germany

Germany is one of the most developed and strongest countries.

Previously, it was rarely chosen by those who wanted it abroad.

This was due to the fact that until 2012 it was necessary to invest at least 250,000 euros and provide work for five people.

Now the entrepreneur needs quality business plan and permission from the authorities of the land where the business will operate.

But be prepared for the fact that you will most likely have to hire lawyers or intermediaries who will advise on starting and running a business abroad.

6.Italy

An important feature and attractive feature of Italy is that entrepreneurs - citizens and foreigners have equal rights in doing business.

Also, a non-resident is not required to prove the significance and importance of the business being opened.

The government does not even care whether you will make a profit or not; it is enough for them to receive taxes from you in full and on time.

Therefore, if you are looking for a region where you can do business abroad without waiting for a residence permit, then Italy is a suitable option.

In addition, in order to register, you do not need to resort to the services of intermediaries, it is enough to collect all the necessary documents and submit them to the appropriate services.

And within one day, you will become an entrepreneur on the Apennine Peninsula.

7. China

you need to do it on a large scale - to open a full-fledged production and hire a large staff of workers.

Only in this case, you can count on the fact that the business abroad , and it is in this state that it will bring you great profits.

After all, everyone knows that the Celestial Empire is famous for inexpensive goods, so it is not at all profitable to organize a small business with a small turnover.

Companies in which a quarter of the authorized capital is owned by foreigners are called Foreign Invested Enterprise, and those in which a non-resident is the sole owner are called Wholly Foreign Owned Entity.

The size of the authorized capital of the enterprise will depend on the territory of which province you go to start your business.

Also in China there are a number of destinations where foreigners are not allowed, so consider this as well.

8. Japan

Many people mistakenly believe that Japan is not the right place to start a business overseas.

But in fact, the country's government does not create any barriers for foreigners.

In any case, you will have to get a tourist or work visa, which will give the right to certify the seal of the company required for the registration procedure.

Also, 5 years are given to fully contribute the authorized capital of the enterprise.

In order for the process of opening and doing business in Japan to be successful, we recommend that you contact the firms dealing with this issue.

9. Australia

If you want to have a business abroad, where the government does not care what you do, the main thing is that you give jobs to its residents, then Australia is for sure suitable for you.

But in order to do business here, you must meet the following requirements:

availability of a business visa;
availability of a certificate of knowledge of the English language;
a bank account for doing business abroad with $ 250,000;
the enterprise will employ at least three Australian residents;
an entrepreneur needs to stay on the island for at least 9 months without going anywhere.

How to open a business in Australia for those who are traveling as part of a student "immigration to Australia",

detailed in the video:

As you might have noticed business abroad- it is possible, but only for those who are ready to work.

Study your idea, which you want to implement abroad, to the smallest detail, draw up a competent business plan, find professionals, and, having enlisted their support, start acting.

Remember that success does not come to those who do nothing.

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Legal advice ...

Probably every businessman will agree that his own company is almost own child, to whom almost all the time and energy of the "parent" is given. And of course, I want the "child", that is, the business, to have the most Better conditions for development. Unfortunately, the current economic situation in Russia does not allow such conditions to be fully created, so many founders began to think about registration own company in other countries with softer tax policies.

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A company abroad: what does registration of a business outside of Russia give

We all know what gives a person the status of a citizen - these are certain rights enshrined at the legislative level, and obligations to the state and its citizens. Belonging to a particular country partly determines the attitude of acquaintances. For business, the situation is similar - however, unlike individuals, "citizenship" for legal entities can be chosen even before the opening of the company.

What makes Russian founders register a business outside their home country? Every entrepreneur is looking for certain advantages depending on the specifics of the company, but most often they are as follows:

loyalty to legislation: lack of frequent checks by government agencies, data security on founders and shareholders;
reduced taxation or no taxes at all;
increasing the company's prestige in the eyes of customers and partners;
the opportunity to work in a foreign market or in close cooperation with international companies;
simplified entry into the country of registration of the company for founders and employees (and sometimes - obtaining a residence permit or even citizenship, as, for example, is practiced in Cyprus).

What kind of benefits a business will receive will depend on the country chosen. Let's look at the procedure for opening a company in different states and the advantages of individual jurisdictions.

It is important
Many people are concerned about the question: is complete anonymity possible when opening a company abroad? Unfortunately, no: this violates the basic principle of the banking system - “know your customer”. However, in many offshore zones, information about the owner of the company, directors and shareholders is maximally protected: in the Seychelles, Belize and the Virgin Islands, the data is available only to the registrar.

Stages of company registration abroad

Country selection: step one

There are three groups of countries in which our compatriots prefer to register companies. Each group has certain advantages and the choice should be made based on the main goals of opening a foreign business.

Offshore zones

Offshore countries attract foreign capital with loyal conditions for non-residents. So, for companies operating outside the country of registration, tax incentives are provided, up to the complete absence of fees. An important part of the policy of many offshore zones is confidentiality: information about the founder is not disclosed.

Registration of a company in offshore zones also has a significant drawback: business reputation the company will be questionable. Many states do not recommend or explicitly prohibit local entrepreneurs from interacting with offshore companies, and also impose certain restrictions on the activities of such companies. The black list of offshore countries in each country is different: for example, in Russia there is a list approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of November 13, 2007 No. 108n. The list includes 40 states, in particular Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius, Liechtenstein, Belize. In addition, when deciding on the registration of a company in another country, it is worth studying the provisions of the letter of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Russian Federation dated March 27, 2002 No. FS-6-26 / 360 "Information Exchange" and the instruction of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation dated August 7, 2003 No. 1317 -We.

On a note
According to the instructions of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation No. 1317-U, offshore zones are classified into three categories:
1. Respectable jurisdictions: Montenegro, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, Singapore and others.
2. Classic offshore companies: Belize, British Virgin Islands and others.
3. Odious offshore companies: Andorra, Aruba, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands and others.

Low to Moderate Tax Jurisdiction

In fact, these countries are not much different from classical offshore companies: they also have a preferential taxation system for companies operating outside the state. In some cases, they differ from offshore zones by easier access to information about the founder.

And most importantly, a company registered in these countries will be able to participate in international transactions... Low tax jurisdictions include, for example, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Latvia and others.

Other countries

Registration of a company abroad is not only a way of tax optimization, but, as already mentioned, work in a stable legal field, increasing confidence in the company from international partners. Because of this, even despite the high tax rate, registration in Asian countries is becoming increasingly popular. Opening a company in the EU and the USA is traditionally considered prestigious.

Advice
November 24, 2014 at tax code RF introduced changes aimed at large-scale deoffshorization of the Russian economy. Before making a decision to register a company abroad, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the new chapter 3.4 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation “Controlled foreign companies. Controlling Persons ".

Studying the legislation of the country: step two

When opening a company abroad, the stage of familiarization with the laws is very important. different countries... This will help to understand the main aspects of registration and further functioning of the company: the need for services of a nominee director, opening an office and submitting reports, the degree of control by the state, the policy of transferring data on bank accounts, etc.

Same important aspect, which must be taken into account when choosing a state for registering a company, is the study of the legal field in which it is planned to conduct business: in particular, the current list of offshore zones. For example, in Russia, companies registered in the country from the approved list of offshore companies are prohibited from participating in government procurement.

Choosing the name and form of ownership of the company: step three

The procedure for registering a company and the type of taxation largely determines the organizational and legal form of a legal entity's business. For example, in the UK there are companies with limited liability(Ltd, an analogue of Russian LLCs, pay taxes in general order) and limited partnerships (LLPs are not taxable).

As for the name of the company. By analogy with Russian legislation it should include the organizational and legal form of the company (LLC "Paris", etc.) and be unique, as well as not contradict the norms of morality, generally recognized and national, and not mislead. For example, in Hong Kong, names that indicate links with the government or the royal family are prohibited.

Paperwork: step four

The standard package of documents required for registering a company abroad usually includes:

application form for opening a company;
a copy of the identity card of the founder (s);
proof of the founder's place of residence, such as a utility bill;
letter of recommendation from the bank;
company charter.

Depending on the country, additional documents may be required, for example, information about the shareholders of the company (Cyprus), business plan (Denmark), confirmation of the presence of an office (legal address), memorandum of association, minutes of the meeting of founders (Czech Republic).

Registration as such: the final stage

After choosing the country and preparing the necessary package of documents, all the papers are transferred to the registrar, who checks them and sends them to the state authorities. In some cases, after that, a decision can be expected: for example, Cyprus and the UK accept applications for opening a company remotely. For most countries, a personal visit to the registering authority by the founder or his legal representative is mandatory.

As a rule, the average term for registering a foreign company is 3-4 weeks. After a positive decision is made, the founder receives a full package of documents: registration certificate, charter, company seal. In some countries, the original documents must be kept by the secretary or registrar; only certified copies are issued to the owner.

Opening an account abroad as an integral stage of registration

An obligatory part of the registration and operation of a foreign company is the registration of a current account. This procedure also consists of several stages.

Bank selection

It is not necessary to choose a bank from among the residents of the country in which the company is open; it is enough to have a representative office. However, it is worth paying attention to the following features:

The cost of services for opening and maintaining an account varies greatly and is not always proportional to the reliability and quality of services.
Timing. The average duration of preparation of documents in banks is usually 2-4 weeks, but there are also proposals with terms of five days or more. Some banking organizations offer expedited processing.
Convenience of paperwork for many businessmen is a key issue when choosing a bank: some organizations require a personal presence, others open an account remotely.
Convenience of work: the presence of Russian- or English-speaking employees, Internet banking, notifications.
Kudos. When interacting with business partners it is also important to have an account in a reliable, trustworthy bank. You can learn about reputation from independent ratings of analytical agencies such as Fitch, Moody’s, Standard & Poors.
Requirements. A number of large banks, when opening an account, request not only a standard package of documents, but also recommendations from other clients. In some countries (for example, Germany), an account can only be opened if you have general director with local citizenship.
Privacy Policy. Despite the uniform legislation within one country, some banks are especially careful to protect the information about their customers. This is relevant in cases where the founder wants to be sure of the nondisclosure of information about his identity.

Account selection

As a rule, banks offer different kinds services at different prices - depending on the list of included and additional services and quality of service. The choice is completely determined by the needs of the business: in some cases, it is necessary to minimize service costs, in others - to achieve the highest processing speed of transactions by bank employees.

Applying for opening an account

A standard package of documents submitted when registering a current account in a foreign bank includes:

identification;
registration certificate, company charter;
documents confirming the authority of the person to open and manage the account (power of attorney, minutes of appointment of the general director, etc.);
proof of the origin of funds;
in some cases - recommendations from other clients of the bank.

All documents, if necessary, must be translated and apostilled.

Issue price

The cost of registering a company will directly depend on the selected country. It consists of mandatory payments and additional ones. Without fail, you will have to pay a state fee, contribute the authorized capital (from 1 euro). Some costs will be required for opening a company account abroad (on average 700-1000 euros), translation of documents submitted to the registration authorities. Other types of expenses are optional and will depend on the situation and requirements of a particular state:

deposit on the company's account. Can be returned after closing the account;
the so-called nominee service - services of a nominee CEO and / or shareholder, in some countries it is also necessary to hire a secretary. Cost - from 500 euros per year, depending on the country;
office rent;
costs of visiting the country for registration and invoicing (if you need a personal presence).

Do not forget that some payments will become regular, for example, nominee service, office rent, annual renewal of registration with government bodies, accounting services (from 250 euros per year), account maintenance.

Registration of a company abroad provides many advantages in doing business, but it is a rather complicated procedure that requires studying many nuances and legislation of different countries. For a person who is not a specialist in international law, the whole journey will take a lot of time and effort, so most entrepreneurs resort to the services of professional registrars.

To do this, we have selected the 10 most common questions from among those that our clients ask us. While we were guided by the client's specific situation in answering each question, we hope that after reading this article, you will get a clearer idea of what to consider when starting a company.

1. Where is the best place to start a business?

Before thinking about the location of a new company, it makes sense to consider what your business plans are, where your customers and suppliers are located, and where you are located. These three main points will allow you to geographically determine the desired location.

The next step is research. Factors worth examining carefully include the following:

available options for the business structure of enterprises;
taxation system;
possible incentives in your industry;
the level of development of the industry;
quality labor resources and labor market rates;
infrastructure development.

This information will allow you to narrow the list down to a few countries or just one.

Our sites serve good sources information about all the advantages of a particular country in terms of doing business:

https://www.hongkong-business.ru/ - about China and Hong Kong
https://www.start-business-in-singapore.com/ - about Singapore
https://www.start-business-in-estonia.com/ - about Estonia
http://blog.offshore-manual.ru/ - about Hong Kong, Singapore, Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, etc.

Detailed research is a vital necessity when starting a business. In order to avoid surprises in the future, the country must be chosen taking into account all the criteria.

Read also “What is substance and why is it needed?”

2. What about tax havens?

Traditional tax havens are very popular jurisdictions for clients looking to minimize taxes. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that they are not suitable for the long term.

What attracts clients in offshore jurisdictions is that companies operating abroad are not subject to local corporate tax, information about owners and directors is not publicly available, and most offshore companies do not enter into agreements with other countries on the exchange of tax information.

However, due to these advantages, tax havens do not have a good reputation in the world and are often associated with money laundering and tax evasion. Offshore companies tend to have difficulty opening bank accounts with reputable banks and are not taken seriously by customers and suppliers around the world.

As an alternative to tax havens, we recommend our clients who want to minimize their tax liabilities to register companies in zero taxation countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.

3. What are the requirements for registering a company?

Each country has its own requirements for registering companies, but there are several points that are important to pay attention to:

Shareholders: it is necessary to know whether the legislation of the country establishes the citizenship and place of residence of the shareholders. Most countries in the Middle East, for example, require at least one shareholder to be local and do not allow a foreign-only company to be registered. On the other hand, in the Philippines, it is allowed to open companies with foreign participation, provided that the foreign shareholder resides in the country.
Directors: as in the previous case, it is important to clarify whether the director must be a citizen of the country in which the company is registered, or whether the fact of residence in its territory is sufficient. Also, what is the minimum number of directors allowed in the company. Singapore, for example, may have one director, while Thailand requires 7.
Requirements for a company secretary
Registered address: all countries require companies registered in their territory to have a local legal address. In some cases, to comply with the law, a virtual office is allowed, in others, the authorities request an office lease agreement before completing the company registration process.
Capital requirements: the minimum capital required to start a company can vary greatly from country to country. For example, in Singapore, the capital requirement is only US $ 1, while in Saudi Arabia, companies with foreign shareholders need to have capital of US $ 27,000. In addition, some countries prescribe that the amount of the share capital must be deposited into a bank account before the company is incorporated, while others allow the payment of capital after the registration process is completed.

Read also "Registration of a foreign company: is it legal?"

4. What if you don't have a local or resident director / shareholder?

If you are thinking about how to open a company abroad without a local director, then we can provide you with nominee shareholders and directors. The nominee ensures that clients meet all the necessary requirements for registering a company, but at the same time does not play any role in the management of the company and does not have the right to sign bank documents. Prior to the appointment of a director, an agreement is made to protect both parties.

5. How long will the registration take?

In fact, the registration time depends on the country and can vary from 1 week to 6 months.

If you need a company within a week, then the choice is in favor of Hong Kong and Singapore. These countries operate good system online registration, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process.

However, in order to avoid surprises, it is imperative to have a realistic time frame. The Doing Business website hosts short description time and steps required to register a company without foreign shareholders or directors, however, if your company does not fit into these criteria, the time frame can be much longer.

Read also "FAQ about registration of a foreign company"

6. Where do I need to open a bank account?

Opening a bank account depends not only on your business plans, but also on the banks themselves. Unfortunately, in recent years, banks have become more cautious about opening corporate bank accounts. Due to the nature of a company's business, its place of registration, and the citizenship of shareholders and directors, opening a bank account can be difficult.

Judging, for example, in our experience, companies registered in classical offshores face difficulties when opening bank accounts in reputable jurisdictions, so they have to contact banks of other tax havens with less stringent requirements.

However, the first thing to consider when thinking about how to open a company abroad is the purpose of the company and the bank account. If you are setting up a regional company to serve local customers, then the best option will be opening a bank account with a local bank.

7. Do I need to travel somewhere to open a bank account?

As mentioned earlier, banks are increasing their requirements for opening bank accounts. You need to be prepared for the fact that you will need to submit additional documents, including sales contracts, lease agreements and letters of recommendation from lawyers and licensing authorities. In addition, you will have an interview with a bank employee. Regardless of which bank you apply to, all shareholders, directors and persons entitled to sign bank documents are required to come in person to open a bank account.

8. How long does it take to open a bank account?

Opening bank accounts usually takes at least 4 weeks. For high-risk clients, the bank may require additional verification or request in person, thereby delaying the opening process. Practice shows that clients should be patient for a month before receiving the long-awaited set of checking account numbers.

9. I would like to apply for a visa for ease of travel and management.

Obtaining a visa is becoming more and more difficult, but it is not an ordeal that cannot be passed. For our clients deciding how to open a company abroad and obtain a work visa, we recommend the following:

Make contracts with local customers. The authorities will want to check if you really intend to do business in their country or if your company is just a cover for a visa. Contracts and invoices showing cooperation with local companies, you will need to apply for a visa;
Invest at least $ 50,000 in your company. Despite the fact that most countries allow companies with a capital of only US $ 1 to be registered, this step will show that you are ready to make significant investments in the country. This will also serve as good proof that your business is real, and not for the sake of a visa;
If possible, plan to hire local staff. Let not all countries set such requirements, but before applying for a visa, it would be good to show that you are going to hire local specialists, and not only resort to the services of foreign workers;
Spend own research this question. All countries have many requirements for applicants: level of education, salary, work experience. It is important to take them into account even at the stage of making a decision on how to open a company abroad. In addition, most countries have special programs for investors that are worth taking a look at and understanding how your company fits the conditions.

Now more than ever, countries are making it harder for companies to hire foreigners, preferring local people to take jobs. The mere fact of registering a company is not a sufficient justification for obtaining a visa. Companies and employees must comply with additional requirements.

Read also “How to get a visa for a startup in Estonia? The new visa program has already been launched! ”

10. What about taxes?

Taxes are one of the main factors influencing the choice of country for registration of companies, and rightly so. Taxation is considered essential element... Every company must take it into account, especially after the registration is completed.

Usually companies are required to submit monthly reports and pay monthly VAT, taxes on wages, make deductions for social needs. Served on an annual basis financial statements and corporate income tax is paid. This applies to all companies in all countries. In case of non-compliance with tax laws, the company will face fines.