A Comparison of Various Offshore Jurisdictions

(Rating 1-5; 5=Best)


*Please contact us at info@cayman-hk.com for the costs of other jurisdictions
  Hong Kong BVI Bermuda Cayman Islands Bahamas Liberia Panama
      Exempt Exempt Non. Res      
Political Stability, established financial centre (Rating) 4 4 5 5 5 4 2 3
  Very Good Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Poor Fair
                 
Anonymity (Rating) 1 4 1 5 5 4 4 2
Confidentiality No Yes No Crime to Disclose   Yes Yes Yes
Disclosure of Owners, Directors Yes No Yes Crime to Disclose   No No No
Gov. Register of Owners, Directors Yes Opt. Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
R.O. Register of Owners, Directors [BVI Directors' Register; Cayman (exempt) Owner Register: optional] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Record of Annual Return, Financial Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No
                 
Proof of Status and Security (Rating) 5 5 5 5 5 4 1 5
Owner, Director Record certified by Government Government Government Government Government RO   Government
R.O. agent license required No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
                 
Filing & Meeting Requirements (Rating) 2 5 2 4 4 5 5 5
Annual Meeting, Director/Shareholder Yes No Yes Yes/No Yes No No No
Meeting in Jurisdiction needed No No No No No No No No
                 
Statutory Requirements (Rating) 3 4 1 5 4 4 4 2
Min. No. of Shareholders, Directors 1 1 3,2 1 2 2, 2 1 1,3
Nominee Shareholders, Directors Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Directors, any Nationality (at Min.) Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate Directors Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Bearer Shares No Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes
Require "Limited" in name Yes No Yes No Yes No No No
Company Name Limitations (Nonobvious) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
                 
Time, Expense (US Dollars) (Rating) 3 4 1 2 3 5 3 3
Days to Incorporate inc. name appr. 1 Week 3 Months 3 3 3 1 Week 1 Week
Communication Facilities Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good V.Good
Approximate total Incorporate Cost US$900 US$950 US$12,000 US$2,800 US$2,800 US$900 US$1,250 US$1,200
Approximate total annual fees (Including Resident Agent) US$650 US$650 US$4,200 US$1,900 US$1,950 US$600 US$550 US$450
Cost of Living High Medium V.High High High Medium Low Low
                 
Taxation/Exchange Control (Rating) 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 4
Offshore Profits Tax No No No No No No No No
Onshore Profits Tax Yes No No No No   Yes Yes
No Tax Guarantees No No To 2006 20yrs. No 20yrs. No No
Exchange Controls No No No No No No No No

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