Offshore structure recommendations

[travelES]

Looking for some basic guidance in setting up an offshore structure that will allow me to easily engage in various global, commercial and investment activities while offering maximum protection and limited tax.

Im guessing the basic structure will involve an offshore trust holding an offshore holding company that holds onshore companies that hold/manage the relative domestic assets.

So for example, a Cook Island trust holding a Nevis company that will have a Nevis bank account. If I want to buy real estate in Colombia, a business in Ukraine, equities in the EU etc, I will set up a company in those countries/regions and the Nevis company will be the shareholder and I will be the director. Each company will have a bank account that will be funded via the Nevis company bank account.

Or is this too elaborate? Would simply having a BVI company and BVI account that can buy companies, real estate etc throughout the world suffice?

Any advice/recommendations appreciated (or even referral to a specialist in this area)

 

[Golden Fleece]

Looking for some basic guidance in setting up an offshore structure that will allow me to easily engage in various global, commercial and investment activities while offering maximum protection and limited tax.

Im guessing the basic structure will involve an offshore trust holding an offshore holding company that holds onshore companies that hold/manage the relative domestic assets.

So for example, a Cook Island trust holding a Nevis company that will have a Nevis bank account. If I want to buy real estate in Colombia, a business in Ukraine, equities in the EU etc, I will set up a company in those countries/regions and the Nevis company will be the shareholder and I will be the director. Each company will have a bank account that will be funded via the Nevis company bank account.

Or is this too elaborate? Would simply having a BVI company and BVI account that can buy companies, real estate etc throughout the world suffice?

Any advice/recommendations appreciated (or even referral to a specialist in this area)

My advice is to read through the previous threads regarding these much discussed topics. If you had done so, you would know that Nevis banks are not safe or efficient and that it is quite difficult for a Nevis or BVI IBC to obtain a real bank account. No one can refer you to a specialist, because you have not identified your residency for tax purposes.

 

[travelES]

getting a bank account for a holding or assets protection company is not as difficult as for a company running a business...actually Im talking with banks for a similar scheme involving a Seychelles IBC and they are pretty relaxed with it

Exactly. I was speaking to a Nevis lawyer and the bank account wasn't an issue at all. It was basically a formality when setting up the company. Its all about where are the funds coming from and what is the company doing.

I was more hoping to get an idea of how these structures work when deploying capital to invest in other markets. So would you use your Seychelles IBC with say (for example) a Swiss bank account, and then when you invest in Ukrainian real estate you start a Ukrainian company that is owned by the Seychelles IBC and you make the purchase directly from the swiss account? Or the Seychelles IBC directly buys the Ukrainian property? Obviously it depends on different countries and different assets, but I was hoping to get a basic outline.

 

[Golden Fleece]

I was speaking to a Nevis lawyer and the bank account wasn't an issue at all.

Of course it wasn't. His only goal is to sell you his services in forming a Nevis IBC or LLC. You had better talk to an OSP who has an actual track record of providing clients a bank account at a reliable bank after forming a Nevis (or Seychelles) entity. Many OSPs leave their clients in an untenable position after forming an entity without providing a bank account. Be sure to get both as part of a package deal. I hope that is the case with that attorney. Be sure to ask about the specific banking options up front -- or you may get stuck with a local Nevis bank instead of what you need.

 

[Golden Fleece]

actually better than doing that is talking with banks before incorporating the company

If an OSP forms such entities on a regular basis, he will know what he can accomplish in terms of banking -- certainly far better than you can determine yourself from contacting random persons at various banks. You just need to find an OSP who will provide an honest assessment and a company formation and banking package, not someone who just wants to sell you only company formation services.

Of course, if you are a HNWI and already have banking contacts, that is another matter altogether.

 

[travelES]

it depends of the country... the best would be talking with a local ukrainian lawyer

I was just using Ukraine as an example. Im not looking to buy Ukrainian real estate. My question pertains to how to disperse funds from an offshore company and bank account into various other highly regulated markets. So for example, how does a Bahamian company buy stocks in Russia, real estate in Mongolia etc.