What the service includes
Choosing a jurisdiction for a foreign company is not a question of fashion but of a specific objective: where clients and partners are located, what tax burden is acceptable, and what bank compliance requirements apply. A mistake at the jurisdiction stage proves costly later.
We support the opening of companies in the UAE, Hong Kong, Cyprus and other jurisdictions, from preparing documents and registration to opening a bank account and setting up ongoing reporting.
In practice the decision rarely comes down to a single jurisdiction. We work up two or three options in parallel and, at the preliminary stage, establish the banks’ position on the client’s specific profile, since formal compliance with the registrar’s requirements does not by itself guarantee that an account will be opened. We also take economic substance requirements into account: if the country of registration requires a real office, a resident director or evidence of economic presence, we build this into the plan before the documents are filed, not after a bank refusal.
What the service includes:
Who it is for
The situations clients most often bring to us on this topic.
How we work
A fixed fee and a clear plan of action, agreed before work begins. The timeframes below are indicative and depend on the complexity of the case.
Choosing a jurisdiction
We analyse the purpose of opening the company and select a jurisdiction based on the real requirements of the business, not general recommendations. Timeframe: 2-5 days.
Preparing documents
We prepare the registration document package in line with the requirements of the specific jurisdiction. Timeframe: 1-2 weeks.
Registration and account
We support company registration and the subsequent opening of a bank account. Timeframe: 2-6 weeks.
Post-registration support
We help with the CFC notification in Russia and set up reporting for the foreign company. Timeframe: as required.
What you will need at the start
We confirm the exact list for your situation at the consultation. This is a guide so that you arrive at the first meeting prepared.
Key figures
Experience in this practice area specifically, not in practice as a whole.
Common mistakes
Buying a ready-made company instead of registering a new one. Clients often hope to speed things up by buying a ready-made foreign company, but transferring it to a new owner and checking its history almost always takes longer than registering a new structure from scratch, and the risk of inheriting someone else’s liabilities remains.
A jurisdiction chosen with no link to the business. The country of registration is often chosen on the advice of acquaintances or on general reputation, without analysing how it fits the counterparties, the settlement currency and the owner’s tax residency, so the structure has to be reviewed after launch.
Putting off the account opening. Registering the company and opening a bank account are treated as sequential rather than parallel tasks. As a result, a company that already exists cannot begin operating for months while the bank checks the beneficiaries and the source of funds.
What you get
A registered company. The client receives a ready foreign company with a full set of constitutional documents and an apostille.
An open current account. The client has a working account with a bank in the country of registration or with a partner bank.
A compliance risk map. A clear picture of the documents and confirmations the bank will require in future, to avoid an account freeze.
A company maintenance plan. A calendar of mandatory actions for the year ahead: registration renewal, economic presence, reporting.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Which jurisdiction should I choose to open a company?+
It depends on the task: trading, holding structures and asset protection call for different jurisdictions. We review this case by case.
Do I need to notify the Russian tax authority about a foreign company?+
Yes, if you are a Russian tax resident and hold a stake above the threshold. This is a separate obligation under CFC legislation.
How long does it take to open a company abroad?+
From a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of bank compliance when opening an account.
Can a company be opened remotely, without a personal visit?+
In most cases yes, although opening a bank account sometimes requires personal presence at certain stages.
Do I need to notify the Russian tax authorities after registering a company abroad?+
Yes. Russian tax residents have a separate obligation to notify the authorities of their participation in a foreign organisation, and the deadlines do not coincide with the date the company itself is registered, so this step should be planned in advance.
Can a company be registered remotely, without travelling to the country of registration?+
In most jurisdictions formal registration can be done remotely under a power of attorney. However, personal presence or video verification is often still required to open an account and obtain certain licences, and this should be factored into the timetable.