International forex and CFD brokers use a Seychelles company for low running costs, a 1.5% business tax rate where real substance is in place and a regulator whose service standard runs in weeks.
Selected engagements from more than 250 licences obtained since 2013, for payment, e-money, cryptoasset and consumer credit firms.
Volkswagen
Payment InstitutionObtained Nexpay’s FCA Authorised Payment Institution licence.
Electronic Money InstitutionObtained Dzing Finance’s FCA Authorised Electronic Money Institution licence.
Obtained Orbital’s FCA Authorised Payment Institution licence.
Our realistic timeline from submission, set against the regulator’s own published figures.
Client money and liquidity provider accounts arranged alongside the application, so you trade on authorisation.
Candidates introduced for a resident director, dealer’s representative and compliance officer, each assessed against the regulator’s standard.
A reply within three business hours and a written proposal the same day: the licence, the requirements, the cost and the timing.
You will need two directors, one living and working full time in Seychelles, a licensed securities dealer’s representative and a compliance officer.
One engagement and one timetable, from scoping to launch. Speak to an expert about the people, the banking and the technology for this licence.
The regulator’s requirements, capital, timing, fees and the questions firms ask, from the regulator’s own publications.
Any person carrying on business as a securities dealer in or from Seychelles, or holding out as one, needs a licence under section 45 of the Securities Act 2007: arranging or entering into securities transactions, soliciting securities business, executing orders and managing securities portfolios where client property may be held. Forex and CFD brokers serving international clients are the main applicants; the licence is held by a Seychelles company with a local office and a resident director. A recognised overseas dealer with exchange membership may apply as an exempt overseas securities dealer instead.
| Licence | Scope |
|---|---|
| Securities dealer licence | Full dealing; licence conditions state whether the dealer may hold client assets |
| Restricted securities dealer licence | Limited by number of clients, named clients or minimum client investment, at the FSA’s discretion |
| Securities dealer’s representative licence | Each individual who deals on the licensee’s behalf; US$500 on application and US$750 a year |
| Exempt overseas securities dealer | Recognised overseas dealers with exchange membership |
| Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum paid-up capital | US$50,000 |
| Insurance | Policy covering the securities business; quotation at application |
| Substance for the tax concession | Resident staff and local operating expenditure, assessed case by case |
The insurance cover is sized to the business plan and the quotation is submitted with the application; the FSA publishes no fixed sum.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory decision period | No statutory decision period | Securities Act 2007 |
| Regulator’s published figure | 30 working days, about 1.5 months, from a complete application; an incomplete application is returned for resubmission within 3 months | FSA securities dealer application guidelines, September 2024 |
| Application preparation | 4 to 6 weeks | From instruction to submission, including banking in parallel |
| Our realistic timeline | 2 to 3 months after submission, allowing for the completeness check and information requests | The firm’s own figure, from the regulator’s published data and its own applications |
Figures published by the regulator are quoted as published and converted to months. The realistic timeline is the firm’s own, for a complete, well-prepared application.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | US$3,000 | Securities (Forms and Fees) (Amendment of Second Schedule) Regulations 2024; processing starts once the fee and a complete pack are received |
| Annual licence fee | US$6,000 | Late renewal adds one twelfth of the annual fee for each month or part month unpaid |
| Representative licence | US$500 | Application; US$750 a year |
| Older figures in FSA guidance | US$1,500 / US$2,500–US$3,000 | The application guidelines and indicative fee sheet still show the pre-2024 figures; the fee sheet states that the legislation prevails |
| Minimum capital | US$50,000 | Paid up |
| Professional fees | Fixed, in writing | Quoted after scoping |
The licence covers business in or from Seychelles; there is no passport. The FSA advises licensees to obtain the approvals required in the jurisdictions where their clients are located. Brokers use the Seychelles licence for international clients alongside an EU or UK authorisation for European clients; the firm obtains each.
The FSA publishes what it looks for. Each section 46 criterion must be met: the company, two fit and proper directors with one resident, a licensed representative, US$50,000 of capital, insurance, a compliance officer and premises. Processing starts only when the fee and a complete pack are received; an incomplete application is returned and lapses unless resubmitted within three months. The FSA states that full disclosure of all necessary information is expected and that its discretion extends to the reputation of the applicant’s advisers. False information carries a fine of up to US$25,000.
A dealer needs segregated client money accounts, an operating account and settlement accounts in the currencies it serves, and liquidity provider relationships before it trades. Banks and liquidity providers review the licence, the client money arrangements, the substance in Seychelles and the financial crime framework before onboarding. The firm arranges each through institutions that serve licensed dealers, in parallel with the application, so the firm trades on licensing. See banking and payment processing.
The FSA’s service standard is 30 working days from a complete application, about 1.5 months. The firm plans for two to three months after submission, allowing for the completeness check and information requests.
US$3,000 on application and US$6,000 a year under the 2024 regulations; FSA guidance documents still show the older US$1,500 and US$2,500 to US$3,000 figures, and the legislation prevails.
Yes. At least two natural-person directors, one of whom is resident and works full time in Seychelles, plus at least one licensed representative and a compliance officer.
Yes, evidenced by title deed or lease: furnished, with a local telephone line, internet, computer equipment and space for records.
The licence covers business in or from Seychelles only. The FSA advises obtaining approvals in client jurisdictions; the firm obtains the EU or UK authorisation alongside it.
A regulatory advisory firm to payment, e-money and cryptoasset companies since 2013, with more than 250 licences obtained in more than 60 countries. The firm advises on authorisation, compliance, safeguarding, banking and transactions, and builds the white-label payment and card technology its clients launch on.
A written proposal on cost, timing and requirements, the same day: speak to an expert.
This guide is general information for firms considering authorisation and is reviewed against the regulator’s published requirements. It is not legal advice; requirements and fees change, and the regulator’s current publications take precedence.
The requirements, the cost and the timing for your business, in a written proposal the same day.