Fast, accurate and cost-effective company search services in Australia and worldwide.

Reasons for conducting a company search

A company search may be conducted to determine the existence of a company in a particular jurisdiction, or as part of a due diligence process, or for asset tracing and/or anti-money laundering purposes.

Whatever the reason, two key requirements for conducting a company search is that the company search results should be fast and accurate. A simple company search for establishing the status or existence of a company may, in many jurisdictions, be conducted online for free.

In other jurisdictions, where a manual company search is required, a company search fee is usually imposed by the competent authority.

For in-depth information required from a company search, such as financial and shareholding details, a more thorough company search must be conducted.

At Inveiss, our company search specialists are able to conduct company searches in close to 200 countries and cater to all types of clients, from individuals right through to multinational corporations and government bodies. We are fast, accurate and professional.

Types of Company Searches

We offer the following types of company searches:

• Company Name Search
• Corporate or Business Registry Extract Company Search
• Official Copies of Company Documents

Company Name Search

A company name search is usually done for either of the following purpose:

• to confirm that a company or entity with a particular name exists in your country of interest, or if a worldwide company search is conducted, that it exists in a particular corporate registry; or
• to confirm that a particular name of your choice is available for use by you or your business.

In certain countries with online registries, a company search for a name can be done free-of-charge. In most countries, however, a company search must be conducted manually and a fee is incurred. In yet other countries, a company name search is not available.

Corporate or Business Registry Extract Company Search

A corporate or business registry extract company search is normally conducted to obtain specific information on a particular company. The information available depends on where the company or entity is registered.

Examples of the type of information which may be obtained are from extracts of a company search of a corporate or business registry as follows:

• Registered office
• Principal place of business
• Particulars of directors
• Particulars of shareholders
• Annual company returns
• Other financial details
• Trading activities

Certain jurisdictions, particularly in tax haven countries, do not have corporate laws which require filing of particulars of shareholders and/or directors or annual returns or statements. In this regard, therefore, any company search conducted may result in limited information being retrieved.

Official Copies of Company Documents

Official copies of company documents retrieved from a company search are copies of actual documents filed with the jurisdiction’s corporate registry and may be required for the following reasons:

• Due diligence
• Asset tracing
• Other legal, AML and/or taxation purposes

List of Countries

We are able to conduct a company search in close to 200 countries. The 125 countries listed below are the countries usually requested for by our clients. Even if your country of interest is not listed, please submit an enquiry anyway as we are most likely able to assist or contact us.

Pricing & Ordering Information

(a) Fee Structure

Fees for a company search vary between jurisdictions and are dependent on currency fluctuations. As a guide only, our fee structure is as follows:

• Company Name Search: From $75
• Company or Business Registry Extract Company Search: $150 to $450
• Official Copies of Company Documents: $300 to $600

(b) Order Request

Please submit an enquiry so that we may provide you with a full quote. Alternatively, you may wish to contact us.

Receipt of Company Search Results

Generally, it takes about 3-5 working days for the company search results to come through. In certain jurisdictions, however, a company search report may take up to 14 days or more.

Maximising Foreign Investment Returns

Our Global Facilitation division organises regulatory compliance services and secures grants for businesses:

• product and services licensing, certification and approvals;
• foreign investor approvals eg, acquisition of foreign real estate, establishment of foreign-owned subsidiary, set-up of foreign-owned manufacturing plant;
• private investor funding sources for selected businesses to fund their business start-up or global expansion;
• government grants & concessions eg, export market development grant, research & development grant, small business innovation grant etc;
• special economic zone enterprise concessions, including the facilitation of the application and establishment of businesses, including exporters, manufacturers, service providers in such zones, comprising special economic zones, free trade zones or export processing zones;
• other foreign direct investment (FDI) incentives.

Our Facilitation Goals

The primary aim of our global facilitation service is to ensure that all necessary regulations are complied with by a business, and to support and enable individuals or businesses to develop their ideas and/or invest in foreign countries for the purposes of their business start-up or their business expansion.

The Australian government provides grants for innovations and initiating exports. In addition, many foreign countries offer some form of incentive to foreign investors to attract direct inward investments into their country. Our job is to examine and secure, in an efficient and cost-effective manner, the best grants and funding available for our client that is suitable for the purposes of our client’s specific needs and requirements.

More Information

» Company Tax Incentives

Fast, efficient and cost-effective company formation and company incorporation, hybrid or trust establishment services for businesses and individuals looking at setting up a business or investment structure in Australia or overseas.

Company, Hybrid or Trust Set-Up

A business or investment structure for maximising investment returns and protecting assets.
Company formation or company incorporation may be considered as part of a business strategy, or an asset protection or a tax-minimisation structure for maximising investment returns.

In Australia, the most common type of incorporated company is the standard private or public company. In foreign jurisdictions, the rules for company formation or company incorporation may vary between jurisdictions.

Nonetheless, in Australia as well as in most key trading economies and offshore tax jurisdictions and financial centres, a usual company structure will have the following features:

• the company is a legal entity;
• it can conduct activities and hold assets in its own right;
• liability is limited by shares;
• a board of directors is responsible for the management of the company, although its duties may be delegated; and
• it has annual filing and compliance requirements (in many offshore tax jurisdictions and financial centres, this may be minimal).

Company Formation, Company Incorporation, Hybrid or Trust Formation Services

At Inveiss, our company formation and company incorporation business consultants, tax and legal advisors assist clients in formulating an ideal structure suitable for their activities and requirements. As part of our incorporation service, we provide the following:

1. Secretarial Register Pages, including:
• resolution of members
• resolution of directors
• resolution of company secretary
• consents to act
2. Register of Members
3. Register of Directors
4. Register of Shareholdings
5. Company Constitution
6. Share Certificates

Types of Entities

There are broadly three distinct typ of suctures that may be established from a legal and tax perspective:

• Incorporated companies
• Hybrid entities
• Trusts or foundations

(a) Incorporated Companies

An incorporated company is your general standard private or public limited company. The rules for incorporation of a company may vary between jurisdictions, although in most key trading economies and offshore tax jurisdictions and financial centres, a usual company structure will have the following features:

• the company is a legal entity;
• it can conduct activities and hold assets in its own right;
• liability is limited by shares;
• a board of directors is responsible for the management of the company, although its duties may be delegated; and
• it has annual filing and compliance requirements (in many offshore tax jurisdictions and financial centres, this may be minimal).

(b) Hybrid Entities

Many offshore tax jurisdictions and financial centres are increasingly offering various types of different legal entities with more attractive tax incentives to attract foreign investors. Examples of hybrid entities include:

• limited liability partnerships (LLP) or limited liability companies (LLC);
• companies limited by both shares and guarantee.

These hybrid entities offer similar benefits to a company structure, with additional benefits in terms of income protection and planning. LLPs and LLCs function as limited liability entities with the advantage of a flow-through structure similar to a partnership for tax purposes.

Companies limited by shares and guarantee on the other hand are entities that have a similar structure to that of a trust.

(c) Trusts or Foundations

Offshore trusts come in many forms, such as, private offshore trust companies, bare offshore trusts and discretionary offshore trusts.

Foundations are similar to trusts in that foundations are legal entities that hold and manage assets for the benefit of the founder or third persons. Foundations are often available in civil law jurisdictions that do not legally recognise the existence of trusts.

List of Countries

We provide incorporation services for almost all countries in the world. Before making a decision on a jurisdiction however, there are other factors which should be considered – in particular, whether the international structure decided upon provides for greater operational efficiency and maximum returns. As explained below, there are many other considerations which need to be borne in mind and we will be pleased to answer any queries you may have in respect of international tax planning and international business planning – you may submit an enquiry or contact us.

Other Requirements and Considerations

There are a few matters that you should consider before proceeding in a foreign country:

• If you are a high net worth individual who is contemplating establishing an entity to take advantage of tax incentives and lower tax rates offered by tax havens and offshore financial centres, it is essential for you to choose the correct structure and jurisdiction to ensure that you have a tax-efficient structure, suitable for your purposes. To obtain further information on international tax planning strategies for high net worth individuals, please refer to our International Tax Planning section.
• If you are intending to establish, or to acquire, an entity in a foreign country as part of an international business expansion plan:
• do you have an exit strategy and does your international business have a tax-efficient structure? Is your business utilising all available cost controls to increase profits?
• have you considered whether your jurisdiction of choice is the best that is to offer for your international business? Would you prefer to set up in a Special Economic Zone with entitlement to various tax and trade incentives? Is your business entitled to other FDI incentives offered in the foreign country to attract foreign direct investments?
• we also emphasise that you should consider registering all intellectual property rights or assets owned by your business before engaging in trade in the foreign market.
• do you have a realistic budget to achieve your international business goals?

To obtain further information on international business development strategies, please view our business planning and business consulting programs and services at our Inveiss Business website.

Ancillary Business & Corporate Services

We are able to offer other business and corporate services to you, including the following:

• Registered service office
• Business premises
• Company bank account (in local or foreign currency)
• Resident nominee director
• Resident company secretary
• Resident nominee shareholder
• Accounting and book-keeping
• Secretarial and administration
• Annual filing requirements
• Translation service
• Local staff (if required)

Information on Fees & Charges

(a) Fee Structure

Fees vary between jurisdictions and are dependent on currency fluctuations. As a guide, fees cost between $500 to $3000 to incorporate a company or entity. Other charges may also in respect of any given jurisdiction:

• Government Search Fee (only applicable in certain jurisdictions)
• Annual Compliance Fees and Charges
• Government Filing Fees
• Government Taxes (varies greatly depending on jurisdiction)
• Apart from the above fees and charges, each jurisdiction require a certain amount of paid-up capital in the company or entity to be established and in addition, fees and charges for ancillary services may apply where required.

(b) Service Packages

For individuals, we offer an International Tax Planning service package at a standard rate encompassing the following services:

• international tax planning recommendations and advice
• establish offshore structure, including provision of all necessary incorporation documents
• arrange for transfer assets to offshore structure, including provision of all necessary corporate documents and legal contracts
• facilitate provision of ancillary business and corporate services, including annual compliance requirements
• provide a summarised report on vital information of structure, compliance requirements, assets and/or investments transferred by us for your records

For businesses, we offer several business planning service packages, depending on the mode of international expansion undertaken by a business. For further information, please refer to the Business Consulting Programs section of our Inveiss Business website.

(c) Request for a Full Quotation

Please submit an enquiry so that we may provide you with a full quote and details on all necessary fees, charges, documents and information required the incorporation process in the jurisdiction of interest. Alternatively, you may wish to contact us.

Time frame for incorporation

Incorporation is usually very fast for most jurisdictions, varying between 2 hours to a few days. If a search is required however, the incorporation process may take up to 3 weeks.

Fast, efficient and cost-effective branch office and representative office registration services for businesses and individuals looking at setting up an office overseas without establishing a formal legal structure.

Branch or Representative Office Registration

An alternative to establishing a legal entity in a foreign country, offering cost-savings and easier compliance requirements for the business.

A branch office or representative office is not a legal entity in itself and any transactions or dealings undertaken by the branch office or representative office is undertaken on behalf of the foreign company.

In certain jurisdictions, including Australia, a business is required to register with the jurisdiction’s competent authority for a variety of reasons, such as:

• a business intending to carry on trading activities;
• a business intending to establish a branch or share transfer office;
• a business that has indirect taxation obligations, eg, VAT and/or sales taxes;
• a business that is required to contribute social security.

In some jurisdictions, tax rules may benefit a choice to register as a foreign business or foreign branch office or representative office, whilst remaining incorporated in the home country.

Whether a business is required to be registered will depend on the rules of the relevant jurisdiction and the activities of the business in that country. In most cases, registration is required and in many countries, a trading permit or license is also required before a foreign company may carry on business in the country.

At Inveiss, our branch office and representative office services business consultants, tax and legal advisors assist foreign businesses fulfill their business needs and requirements worldwide.

Requirement to Register as a Foreign Company

A business is required to register in certain jurisdictions for a variety of reasons, such as:

• a business intending to carry on trading activities
• a business intending to establish a branch or share transfer office
• a business that has indirect taxation obligations, eg, VAT and/or sales taxes
• a business that is required to contribute social security.

In some jurisdictions, tax rules may benefit a choice to register as a foreign business or foreign branch office, whilst remaining incorporated in the home country

List of Countries

Whether a business is required to be registered will depend on the rules of the relevant jurisdiction and the activities of the business in that country. In most cases, registration is required and in many countries, a trading permit or license is also required before a foreign company may carry on business in the country.

Other Requirements and Considerations

There are a few matters that you should consider before proceeding in a foreign country:

• Have you chosen the correct market entry mode? Have you considered risk mitigation issues? What is your exit strategy?
• We also emphasise that you should consider registering all intellectual property rights or assets owned by your business before engaging in trade in the foreign market.
• If you are planning an international business expansion or to engage in international trade, do you have a realistic budget to achieve your international business goals?

To obtain further information on international business development strategies, please view our business planning and business consulting services in our Inveiss Business website.

Ancillary Business & Corporate Services

We are able to offer other business and corporate services to you, including the following:

• Service office
• Business premises
• Company bank account (in local or foreign currency)
• Accounting and book-keeping
• Secretarial and administration
• Translation service
• Local staff (if required)

Information on Fees & Charges

(a) Fee Structure

Fees vary between $300 to A$1000 to register a foreign company or branch office. Other typical charges may include the following:

• Government filing fee
• Annual compliance fees (depending on jurisdiction)
• Local agent fee

Additional fees and charges would apply for ancillary services.

For businesses looking at international expansion, we are able to offer complete service packages – see further our international business planning section in our Inveiss Business website.

(b) Request for a Full Quotation

Please submit an enquiry so that we may provide you with a full quote and all necessary documents and information required for the registration process in the jurisdiction of interest. Alternatively, you may wish to contact us.

Time frame for Registration

Registration of a foreign business or foreign branch office is usually very fast for most jurisdictions, provided that all requisite documents and information on the foreign parent company have been supplied to the relevant authorities. If a search is required however, the registration process may take up to 3 weeks.