Requirements
The procedures for registering an offshore limited liability company in Costa Rica are briefly explained below. Interested parties however, are advised to seek professional assistance prior to the commencement of any registration procedures and in this the Law Office of Meléndez and Bonilla will be of great help.
Listed below are the preliminary requirements:
Company Name:
We, at the Law Office of Meléndez and Bonilla can ensure that your business structure is tailored to your specific needs of business formation. We are an experienced incorporation firm that is fully equipped and qualified to incorporate your business and set you on the road to success. We have the experience and the expertise to help anyone start and incorporate a business.
Objectives of the company:
The main activities of the proposed company must be provided. It should be detailed as much as possible and should project the company’s vision and mission.
Directors:
In the case of offshore companies it is important from a tax point of view that the management and control is exercised from Costa Rica. In such a case, it is recommended that no more than one director should be appointed from abroad. For the appointment of such a director the following information is needed:
a. Full name
b. Nationality
c. Residential address
d. Occupation
We at Law Office of Meléndez and Bonilla usually provide, in addition to the above, local directors from our office who carry out their functions based on instructions from the beneficial shareholders. This facilitates the smooth and timely execution of the operation of the company.
Secretary:
The Company by law must have a secretary, usually; our office of Law Office of Meléndez and Bonilla can act as the corporate secretary.
Registered office:
It is also a requirement of the law that the company must have a registered office in Costa Rica, which may be used as the business address of the company. Our own office address can be used as such.
Time needed to register a company:
The formation and registration of the company including all the formalities can be completed within two to three weeks.
Documents to be provided to the owners:
On registration of the company we supply the owners with full documentation, properly legalized and translated into English comprising of the:
a. Certificate of registration
b. Memorandum and articles of association
c. List of director(s), secretary and shareholders
d. Address of the company’s registered office
e. Share certificate(s)
f. All other information concerning the company’s activities up to the date of its establishment.
Types Of Corporation
- Limited Liability Corporation
- Limited Partnership
- General Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship
- Foundation or Trust
- Stock Corporation
- Shelf Corporations
Why Choose Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has many distinct characteristics and advantages that International Business Corporations (IBC's) can make the most of. Although Costa Rica is not classified as an offshore financial hub in the traditional sense, its favorable tax regime implies that it could have been classified as a tax haven some decades ago.
However, the Costa Rican government has only recently realized the potential of being a tax haven and has started to actively legislate and promote this sector of economic activity. The low taxation available to businesses of Costa Rica makes it an attractive offshore financial investment center for most businesses across the globe.
A number of well known businesses have already set up shop in Costa Rica but the economy is still at infancy.