Seychelles Company Search Guide 2026: How to Verify a Seychelles Business

TL;DR. Seychelles operates a dual registry: the Financial Services Authority (FSA) administers International Business Companies (IBC) under the IBC Act 2016, while the Registrar of Companies handles domestic entities. Basic name and status searches are free at registry.gov.sc. A formal Certificate of Official Search costs EUR 99 (~USD 107) and takes 1-3 business days. Director registers for IBCs are not public record. Seychelles was removed from the EU tax blacklist in February 2024 but remains on the EU grey list (Annex II) as of October 2025.

What is the official Seychelles business registry?

Seychelles has two overlapping registries, each with distinct authority:

Domestic companies: The Registrar of Companies, a function within the Seychelles government, registers domestic entities under the Companies Act. The public business search portal is at registry.gov.sc/BizRegistration/WebSearchBusiness.aspx and provides access to publicly available registration information.

International Business Companies (IBCs): The Financial Services Authority (FSA), at fsaseychelles.sc, administers IBCs under the International Business Companies Act 2016 (IBC Act 2016). The FSA is also the primary regulatory authority for the broader financial services sector in Seychelles, including Securities Dealer Licences, mutual fund managers, and insurance entities.

Seychelles established itself as an IBC jurisdiction in the 1990s and became one of the world’s most popular offshore incorporation venues for holding companies, investment vehicles, and trading entities. The IBC Act 2016 modernized the framework, tightening substance and reporting requirements in response to international pressure from the FATF and OECD.

All Seychelles entities, whether domestic or IBC, may appear in the public search at registry.gov.sc, which “provides access to the publicly available information on the Seychelles Business Register.” This covers basic name and registration data submitted at registration.

What can you search?

The Seychelles public business register at registry.gov.sc allows:

• Company or business name search (partial match supported)
• Company registration number lookup

Publicly available data per entity is limited to: registered name, registration number, and basic entity status information. Seychelles law treats IBC director registers as non-public records. The register of directors for IBCs is held by the FSA/Registry but is not accessible for third-party search under the IBC Act 2016.

For a more detailed record including status confirmation, charges, registered office address, and FSA confirmation of standing, a Certificate of Official Search must be ordered through a licensed registered agent or via third-party search services.

The FSA’s own website provides the public register of FSA licensees, covering entities holding Securities Dealer Licences, fund managers, and other FSA-regulated activities. This is separate from the general IBC company register.

How much does it cost?

Certificate of Official Search pricing sourced from commercialregister.sc (a licensed third-party Seychelles registered agent service), verified May 2026. EUR/USD conversion used: 1 EUR = approximately 1.08 USD (verify at point of purchase). IBC government fees sourced from FSA published fee schedules; these are paid through the licensed registered agent, not directly to the FSA in most cases.

There is no standard published price list from the FSA for ad-hoc company searches; costs for official certificates are processed through the licensed registered agent network.

Do you need a local account or ID?

No account is required for the free public search at registry.gov.sc. Any user globally can search by company name or registration number without registration.

For a Certificate of Official Search, you do not need a Seychelles account or identity document. Third-party search services process requests without requiring local identity. Payment is typically by international card or bank transfer.

Ordering documents directly through the FSA Registry requires engagement with a licensed registered agent in Seychelles; the registry does not accept direct foreign orders for certified documents in all cases.

Is the website in English?

Yes. The Seychelles Business Register public portal, the FSA website, and the IBC Act 2016 are all in English. Seychelles is a trilingual country (English, French, Seychellois Creole), but corporate law and all FSA communications operate in English.

What’s the turnaround time?

Free public searches at registry.gov.sc are instant. A Certificate of Official Search via a licensed registered agent typically takes 1-3 business days, with PDF delivery by email. Physical delivery is available via DHL Express at additional cost.

IBC registration itself can be completed within 2-3 business days through a licensed registered agent. The FSA does not process direct foreign incorporation applications; all Seychelles IBC incorporations must go through a locally licensed registered agent.

Is there an API?

No. The Seychelles Business Register and the FSA do not currently offer a public API for programmatic registry access. Bulk or automated lookups are not supported. Compliance platforms requiring Seychelles data should use the public search for basic checks and order Certificates of Official Search through a licensed agent for compliance-grade records.

FATF and international compliance status

Seychelles’s international compliance status is a material factor for compliance buyers dealing with Seychelles-incorporated counterparties.

FATF: Seychelles is not currently on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (grey list) as of May 2026. FATF conducted its Mutual Evaluation of Seychelles in 2018 and found technical compliance deficiencies, but Seychelles has not been formally grey-listed in the most recent FATF plenary reviews (October 2025, June 2025). Source: fatf-gafi.org black and grey lists.

EU Tax Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions: Seychelles was added to the EU blacklist (Annex I) of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes in October 2023, following a negative assessment by the OECD Global Forum on exchange of information upon request. After regulatory amendments in Seychelles, the EU removed Seychelles from Annex I (the blacklist) in February 2024. However, Seychelles was not moved to full clearance: as of October 2025, Seychelles remains on Annex II (the EU grey list), meaning it has made commitments to reform but remains under monitoring. Source: EU Council Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions Timeline and ATOZ Tax Advisers analysis.

OECD Global Forum: Seychelles participates in the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information. It has committed to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for automatic exchange of information. The Global Forum assessments on Seychelles have identified areas for improvement, particularly on timely availability of beneficial ownership and accounting records, which drove the EU blacklisting in 2023. Seychelles has since amended relevant legislation.

Practical compliance implication: Seychelles being on the EU Annex II grey list means EU-based financial institutions applying enhanced due diligence to counterparties from EU-blacklisted or grey-listed jurisdictions should be aware of this status. Seychelles is not in the same category as EU-blacklisted jurisdictions (Annex I), but Annex II status signals ongoing monitoring. Compliance buyers should document the Seychelles status at the time of each counterparty check.

What you legally cannot do

The FSA and the Registrar of Companies prohibit bulk automated scraping of the public registry interface. The IBC Act 2016 specifically designates the register of directors as a non-public record; accessing or publishing IBC director information obtained without authorisation is not permitted.

Seychelles’s Data Protection Act 2003 (updated by the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2018) governs personal data processing. Handling Seychelles company officer information for compliance purposes requires a documented lawful basis. For a broader framework on cross-border registry data use, see our Global Business Due Diligence Guide. For a contrasting Indian Ocean offshore model where the FATF grey list removal is complete and the EU high-risk list cleared, see the Mauritius Company Search Guide.

Practical tips for foreign compliance buyers

• Director registers are non-public. This is the most material limitation for compliance buyers. The IBC Act 2016 does not require directors to be listed in the public register. A Certificate of Official Search confirms company status, registration number, registered office, and whether charges are recorded, but does not provide director names. Director identification requires the company to provide its own register or requires engagement via a licensed management company.
• Registered agent requirement. Every Seychelles IBC must maintain a licensed registered agent in Seychelles. The registered agent’s name and address appears in the public register. The registered agent is a key contact point for compliance enquiries and is legally responsible for maintaining the company’s statutory records.
• Status confirmation. The Certificate of Official Search confirms whether the entity “is in active condition, liquidation or dissolution.” An IBC that has not paid its annual government fee (USD 130) may be in arrears and subject to dissolution. Always confirm current status against the most recent certificate.
• IBC vs. domestic company. Verify whether your counterparty is an IBC (registered under the IBC Act 2016) or a domestic Seychelles company (registered under the Companies Act). They are governed by different legislation and have different disclosure requirements. IBCs have greater confidentiality protections.
• Substance considerations. Post-2018 IBC Act reforms introduced requirements for IBCs to maintain certain records in Seychelles or with the registered agent. For high-value transactions, verify that the IBC is not a dormant shell with no documented economic substance or management decision-making in Seychelles.
• EU grey list awareness. EU-based counterparties subject to AMLD obligations should note Seychelles’s Annex II status as of October 2025 and apply consistent documentation of their CDD rationale.

Alternatives if you cannot access the Seychelles registry directly

• Aggregator search (free, indicative only): OpenCorporates indexes some Seychelles company filings but coverage is limited and lags official data. Not for compliance-grade verification.
• Licensed registered agent certificate: The Certificate of Official Search via commercialregister.sc or similar licensed agents is the main compliance document available to foreign buyers.
• FSA Register of Licensees (fsaseychelles.sc): Free, instant check for entities holding FSA regulatory licences (securities dealers, fund managers, insurance).

Local data suppliers

• Commercial Register of Seychelles (commercialregister.sc). A licensed Seychelles registered agent service providing Certificate of Official Search documents at EUR 99. Covers all company types including IBCs. Documents are signed and authorised by the Seychelles Registry.

Use the FSA and Registrar of Companies for the official filing record. Use the Certificate of Official Search when you need a formally issued document for your compliance file.

FAQ

Can a foreign company access the Seychelles registry directly?

Yes, for basic public searches at registry.gov.sc. No account or local identity document is required. For a Certificate of Official Search, foreign buyers can order through licensed Seychelles registered agents or third-party search services without a local ID. The registry does not typically process direct foreign requests for certified documents; go through a licensed agent.

What is the registration number in Seychelles?

Seychelles companies are assigned a unique registration number at incorporation. IBCs are numbered under the IBC Act 2016 registry sequence. The registration number appears on the Certificate of Incorporation and all official registry documents. Always verify the registration number independently rather than relying on the number supplied by the entity itself.

What entity types are registered in Seychelles?

The Seychelles registry covers International Business Companies (IBC), domestic limited companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships, non-profit associations, and foreign company branches. The IBC is the most common vehicle used by international clients. The FSA separately licences securities dealers, fund managers, insurance companies, and other regulated financial service providers.

Does Seychelles have a beneficial ownership (UBO) registry?

Yes. The IBC Act 2016 requires all IBCs to maintain a register of beneficial owners, held with the licensed registered agent or at the FSA. This register is not publicly accessible; it is available to the FSA and, under information exchange agreements, to foreign regulators and law enforcement. Seychelles’s UBO framework aligns with FATF Recommendation 24 and was strengthened as part of the legislative reforms that led to the EU blacklist removal in February 2024. For compliance buyers, this means UBO information exists but must be obtained through the entity, the registered agent, or a formal law enforcement/regulatory request.

How current is the data in the Seychelles registry?

Public registry data at registry.gov.sc reflects information as filed at registration and any subsequent updates. IBCs must file annual renewals, and the registered agent is responsible for maintaining updated statutory records. For a current status check, a Certificate of Official Search is more reliable than the public search display, as it is issued by the Registry at the time of the request.

Is Seychelles on the FATF grey list?

No. Seychelles is not on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring as of May 2026. However, Seychelles remains on the EU Annex II grey list for tax non-cooperative jurisdictions as of October 2025, meaning it has made reform commitments but remains under monitoring. EU-regulated institutions should note Annex II status in their CDD documentation. For current FATF list status, refer to fatf-gafi.org. For current EU list status, refer to consilium.europa.eu.

What’s the difference between the registry and the FSA licence register?

The company registry (administered by the Registrar of Companies / FSA) records incorporations, names, and registered offices. The FSA licence register covers entities holding regulatory licences for financial services (securities dealing, fund management, insurance). A Seychelles IBC does not need an FSA licence simply to exist; it only needs one if it conducts regulated financial services activities. For a counterparty operating as an IBC investment vehicle or holding company, the company register is the primary source. For a counterparty claiming to be a licensed fund or broker, check the FSA licence register in addition.

Last verified: May 2026. Sources: Financial Services Authority Seychelles (fsaseychelles.sc); Seychelles Business Register (registry.gov.sc); EU Council Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions List (consilium.europa.eu); FATF black and grey lists (fatf-gafi.org). For the full global due diligence framework, see our Global Business Due Diligence Guide.