Bahamas Types of Compagnies:

The majority of companies formed in the Bahamas for offshore purposes are incorporated under the International Business Companies Act 1989 (see below). However this law did not supersede the existing companies law, most recently re-stated in the Companies Act 1992, which is based on English law and is used to form various types of company used by businesses trading in the Bahamas, and also for certain other special purposes.

Companies formed under the Companies Act 1992 can be private companies limited by shares or by guarantee, or can be public companies. For all these types of company, Memorandum and Articles of Association must be filed at the Companies Registry, there need to be a minimum of two members, and there must be a registered office in the Bahamas. If a company is going to trade locally, it will need an appropriate business license.

Version date: 07.05.06