Start my Cayman company
Cayman Islands company formation

The Cayman company, without the fund-sized fees

Funds, token projects and global holding companies choose Cayman. Most formation quotes are priced for them too. Ours is US$1,929 a year with the government's fee inside it, run from anywhere.

Formed through a licensed Cayman registered office. No visit.
Start my Cayman company The January fee, explained
  • US$1,929 a year, all in
  • The same price every year
  • Nothing charged until you sign
0%Cayman tax on income, gains and dividends
PrivateShareholders never on a public list
1Director and 1 shareholder, living anywhere
US$854Cayman's own registration fee, inside your price
01What "exempted" means

The Cayman exempted company, in three facts

It's the company Cayman built for people and businesses outside Cayman. That's you.

AbroadMade for business outside Cayman

It trades, holds and signs with the rest of the world, not on the island.

0%No Cayman tax

No income, capital gains or withholding tax in Cayman. Your home country may still tax you.

1 + 1One director, one shareholder

The same person can be both, living anywhere. No local director needed.

02Who can see what

What's public about a Cayman company

Three layers, from the outside in. Your shareholding sits in the middle, where the public can't reach.

Any
one
Company name, number and directors

Anyone can search the company, and see its current directors for CI$50.

On
request
Beneficial owners

Only for people who can show a legitimate interest. Not a public list.

Never
The register of shareholders

Kept at the registered office. Not open to the public.

03The January fee

The Cayman annual fee: due every January

Cayman charges its yearly fee in January, whenever you formed. It rises to US$1,250 on 1 January 2027, and it's already inside our price.

Pick your start month and see when it lands.

You formFee and annual return due+33% from April+67% from July+100% from October
04Crypto

A Cayman company for crypto: where the line is

Most of what founders do with crypto needs no Cayman registration. Here's where that changes, and how Cayman compares with eight other places.

No registration needed

  • Holding cryptoThe company's own coins and tokens, as assets.
  • Trading for itselfBuying and selling on its own account.
  • Getting paid in cryptoFor goods and services the company sells.

Needs Cayman's regulator first

  • Serving clientsExchanging, transferring or holding crypto for other people.
  • Running an exchange or custodyA trading platform or safekeeping service.
  • Selling a new token to the publicToken issuance counts as a virtual asset service.
05For DAOs and token projects

The Cayman foundation company

A company that can have no shareholders at all, run by directors under its own rules. That's why so many DAOs and token projects use one.

Planning one? We'll quote it before you order.

Ask for a foundation quote
MembersNone needed
SupervisorRequired if it has no members
DirectorsAt least one, living anywhere
Typical useDAOs, protocols, token treasuries
06The whole bill

Cayman company formation cost, every year

The government's share on its own line, at cost. When Cayman raises its fee, our share absorbs it.

Year one

Cayman registration feeAt cost, standard share capitalUS$854
HeirsonRegistered office, filing, documents, bank account set up with youUS$1,075
You payUS$1,929

Every year after

Cayman annual feeAt cost, US$1,250 from 1 January 2027US$1,250
HeirsonRegistered office, annual return, substance notice, remindersUS$679
You payUS$1,929
Heirson, three yearsUS$5,787US$2,460 less
Lowest complete package published elsewhere, three yearsUS$8,247

Cayman fee schedule effective 1 January 2027. Comparison: lowest complete published package, US$2,749 a year, November 2026. Optional: express registration at Cayman's price (US$610).

Add a nominee to your Cayman company if you want one, never to hide an owner from banks or authorities. How nominees work.

Nominee directorUS$525 a yearA licensed professional on the public record; you stay the owner
Nominee shareholderUS$525 a yearHolds the shares on trust for you, with a declaration of trust you keep
Questions

Cayman Islands company questions, answered

Choosing between Cayman and the BVI? Read BVI vs Cayman, our side-by-side comparison. For a company already on the register, read our Cayman company search guide.

How much does it cost to set up a company in the Cayman Islands?
With Heirson, US$1,929 a year, every year. Year one is Cayman's US$854 registration fee plus our US$1,075. From year two it's Cayman's annual fee (US$1,250 from 2027) plus our US$679.
Is a Cayman company tax free?
In Cayman, yes: there's no income, capital gains or withholding tax. The country where you live may still tax what you receive from it. The full picture is in our Cayman tax guide.
What is a Cayman exempted company?
A company formed to do business mainly outside the Cayman Islands. It's the standard choice for international holding, trading and investment companies.
Can a non-resident open a Cayman company?
Yes. A single person can be the only director and the only shareholder, from any country. A licensed Cayman provider holds the registered office.
Who can see the owners of a Cayman company?
The public can't see the shareholders. Directors' names are available to anyone for CI$50, and beneficial owners only to people with a legitimate interest.
When is the Cayman annual fee due?
Every January, starting the January after you form. Paid late, it rises by 33% from April, 67% from July and 100% from October. Your renewal covers it, and we pay it in January. Every date and penalty: Cayman annual fees and filings.
How long does Cayman company formation take?
Usually a few working days once your documents are complete. Express registration is available at Cayman's own price.
Does a Cayman company need a licence for crypto?
Not to hold, trade or get paid in crypto for itself. Serving clients, running an exchange or custody, or selling a new token to the public needs registration with Cayman's regulator first.
What is a Cayman foundation company used for?
It can operate with no shareholders, which suits DAOs, protocols and token treasuries. Ask us for a quote.
Can I open a bank account for a Cayman company?
Yes. We prepare what the bank asks for and set the account up with you; the bank decides, and it almost always goes through. Where Cayman companies bank: Cayman company bank account guide.
Ready when you are

The name the world's funds use, at a founder's price.

US$1,929 a year with Cayman's fee included, paid in crypto, and only after you sign.

Start my Cayman company See the whole bill
Cayman companyUS$1,929 a year, all inStart