Forex license in Saint Lucia

Obtaining a Forex license in Saint Lucia has several advantages, including:

Enhanced credibility and reputation
A forex license from a reputable regulator such as the Saint Lucia Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) can significantly enhance the credibility and reputation of a forex broker. This can help the broker attract new clients and gain the trust of potential investors.

Tax benefits
St. Lucia offers an attractive tax system with low rates and various incentives. Offshore companies are fully exempt from paying income tax.

Access to global markets
A forex license can allow a broker to operate in regulated markets worldwide. This can give the broker access to a broader range of potential clients and increase trading volume.

Reducing the risk of legal and regulatory actions
A forex license can help reduce the risk of legal and regulatory actions by ensuring the broker complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

Client protection
Forex licensed brokers must follow strict client protection rules, such as segregating client funds and providing negative balance protection. This can help protect clients from losses in a broker’s bankruptcy.

To obtain a forex license in Saint Lucia, you need to follow the following steps:

Company Registration.
Saint Lucia legislation provides for several forms of organizations:

Various types of companies can be registered in Saint Lucia, including:

• sole proprietorship – a simple form of business where the owner and the company are considered one person, and the owner is not legally separated from the industry;
• partnership – in this type of business, two or more people work together and share the profits and losses of the company;
• corporation – a legal entity separate from its owners (shareholders);
• offshore corporation (IBC) – a company that provides favorable tax conditions for international business operations.

Registering an international business company in Saint Lucia offers several advantages, including financial security, confidentiality, and no licensing to operate as a forex CFD broker-dealer. In addition, an IBC can access the CARICOM Double Tax Agreement, which avoids double taxation. However, an IBC cannot do business in Saint Lucia or own real estate except for its operations.

The list of documents to register a company in Santa Lucia includes:

• a completed business registration application form;
• for corporations, LLCs, offshore companies – articles of incorporation and memorandum of association, list of directors and shareholders of the company and their contributions, business plan;
• a copy of a valid passport (for each director and shareholder of the company);
• copy of a document confirming the residence address (e.g., utility bill of each director and shareholder);
• bank reference (of each director and shareholder);
• a legal certificate (of each director and shareholder);
• notice of registered office.

All documents submitted for incorporation of a company in St. Lucia must be in English or provided with an official English translation. In addition, personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, etc., must be notarized to confirm their authenticity and legality.

Apply for a license at the Saint Lucia Financial Services Authority.
If you plan to conduct transactions in the buying and selling of securities, currencies, or other financial instruments in forex within or outside the Caribbean, an FSRA license is required.

To obtain a Forex license in Saint Lucia, a complete and accurate application is required, including the following documents:

A detailed business plan, which should contain information about your company, Forex services, planned client base, marketing strategies, and financial projections:

• company incorporation documents, including articles of incorporation, regulations on the management structure, and registration documents confirming the legality of your company;
• financial statements containing information on the company’s anticipated revenues and expenses;
• It has developed agreements with clients, trading rules, refund policies, and other necessary documents that regulate operations on the Forex market.

Payments and Application Review.
To obtain a forex license in Saint Lucia, you must pay an application fee and other necessary fees as specified in the regulator’s requirements. Once the application is submitted, the Saint Lucia Financial Services Authority will thoroughly review the submitted documents and business plan to assess your company’s compliance with the standards and requirements.

You will be issued a Forex license once the FSRA approves your application and is satisfied that your company meets all the necessary standards and requirements. This license will allow your company to legally and safely conduct forex transactions in Saint Lucia.

IBC companies that deal in forex CFDs do not need a license.

In order to incorporate the company, we will need the following documents for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner:

• Certified True Copy of Passport
• Certified True Copy of a National ID or Driving License
• Certified True Copy of a Proof of Address not older than 3 months such as an electricity bill, water bill, gas bill, landline telephone bill, internet bill, bank statement, credit card statement, brokerage statement, insurance statement, tax bill, government correspondence, residence certificate, etc.
• CV/Resume/Linkedin Profile
• Professional Reference Letter – issued by a person with whom the referred person has had a professional relationship (employer, partner, client, supplier, attorney, accountant, etc)
• Client Information Form

All financial transactions in Saint Lucia are subject to regulation by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and its designated financial services authority, the Saint Lucia Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The retail forex market is subject to business legislation, including the Money Services Business Review Act No. 11 of 2010, as subsequently amended from time to time by the Government of Saint Lucia.

The regulation of licenses for forex activities in Saint Lucia has significantly changed in recent years. Previously, no compulsory permit was required for forex operations in Saint Lucia. However, this changed in 2022. Currently, all companies engaged in providing foreign exchange services (bank balances or cash) in the forex market are required to obtain a license from the FSRA. A broker’s license grants the company the right to conduct transactions to buy and sell securities, commodities, currencies, futures, options, and other financial instruments on behalf of clients or for its account.

Operating as a forex CFD broker outside of Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean is outside the scope of the Money Service Business Act. In other words, you will not need a license if you plan to operate as a CFD broker-dealer outside the Caribbean.

The FSRA oversees and supervises the financial services industry in the country, including forex activities. It has established several mandatory requirements for forex brokers, including:

• minimum capital investment – forex brokers must have a minimum paid-up capital of at least $250,000;
• training and reliability criteria – brokers seeking a license must have an impeccable reputation, no criminal record, and sufficient experience in the forex industry;
• compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) regulations – forex brokers must have an effective AML/CFT program to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

FSRA has certain powers to enforce rules in the forex market, including:

• carrying out inspections – FSRA can carry out checks at forex brokers, including inspecting premises, examining records and systems to ensure they are complying with the rules;
• imposing fines and penalties – the board has the power to impose fines on forex brokers who violate the laws;
• revoking or suspending licenses – FSRA can revoke or suspend the rights of forex brokers who violate the rules seriously.

These changes to the forex market rules in St. Lucia are aimed at protecting the interests of investors and ensuring integrity and transparency in the forex business. FSRA is actively working to maintain compliance and is acting against forex brokers who violate the rules.