Forex License in Vanuatu

Offshore solutions for companies, licensing, and banking are becoming increasingly popular with business owners. Fast Offshore Licenses recommends offshore licensing in Vanuatu for the following reasons:

• greater freedom to buy, sell, trade, and hold assets and securities on behalf of clients with minimal restrictions;
• a flexible and favorable working environment that promotes more comfortable operations;
• a favorable tax system that promotes lower tax liabilities and a zero tax rate on all income and profits earned outside the country;
• reduced bureaucracy compared to other jurisdictions;
• simple applicant and capital requirements, making it easier to obtain a license;
• the ability to concentrate ownership in the hands of a single individual;
• high demand from brokers;
• quick registration procedure and low annual maintenance costs;
• the possibility of opening bank accounts after obtaining a license.

All of this makes Vanuatu an attractive choice for those looking for offshore solutions for their business.

There are certain requirements for obtaining a Vanuatu broker license, including but not limited to the following:

• the company’s office must be registered in Vanuatu;
• the origin of the funds for the start-up capital must be documented;
• all necessary documentation must be kept within Vanuatu and made available upon request;
• the application must contain a clear risk management policy;
• a deposit of 5 million VUV (approximately US$50,000) must be paid into the VFSC account;
• a business plan and financial forecast for the next three years must be provided with the application;
• the physical presence of the broker in Vanuatu is not required for license approval;
• the brokerage firm must appoint an AML/CFT compliance officer who will submit regular reports to the authorities.

Standard due diligence, including identity verification and address verification, will also be conducted.

• business plan;
• details of the organization;
• certified independent risk assessment report (self-assessment with the application and independent assessment following licensing);
• details on whether a beneficial owner of the applicant is a beneficial owner, owner or controller of an entity licensed or registered under a regulatory law of Vanuatu or a foreign jurisdiction;
• details of the source of funds* to pay the capital;
• prospectus;
• Insurance including professional indemnity showing cover of the appointed representative and other officers of the applicant

Company structure:

• The manager / director has to be a natural person and have at least 5 years’ experience dealing in securities;
• Managers or Directors have to reside for 6 months within each year in Vanuatu
• A Licensee has to have physical premises located in Vanuatu which maintains the following systems:
  • filing system;
  • management and accounting system;
  • business continuity system;
  • software system and server.
• Compliance Officer (can be foreign)
• Alternate Compliance Officer (can be foreign)

The process of obtaining a Forex license in Vanuatu involves several steps and requirements:

• Company formation. First, a company must be registered in Vanuatu to apply for a Forex license. The company must have a physical office in Vanuatu.
• Document preparation.

You need to prepare a comprehensive set of documents, which includes:

• an application for a license;
• certified copies of documents proving the identity of the owners;
• a certificate that confirms the absence of a criminal record of the owners;
• a copy of an up-to-date resume that confirms experience and qualifications relevant to working with a forex brokerage company or similar;
• original or certified copy of the bank’s letter of recommendation;
• proof of physical address in the country (utility bill);
• business plan;
• risk management policy and financial projections for the next three years;
• information on who the target audience and market will be.

All documents must be no older than 3 months. Additional documents may be requested depending on the circumstances.

• Application Submission. When all required documents are ready, you may submit your application to VFSC for review and processing.
• Application Verification. The VFSC will review the company’s directors and shareholders to ensure they meet the reliability and professionalism requirements.
• Responsible person for compliance. You must designate an employee responsible for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations.
• Review and Approval. The VFSC will carefully review your application and supporting documents. If all requirements are met and the application is deemed satisfactory, a Forex license will be issued.
• Payment of License Fees. Pay the applicable license fees, the amount of which may vary depending on the services your company intends to provide.
• License Issuance. Upon license approval and payment of fees, the VFSC will issue a Forex license to your company.Compliance. Once licensed, your company must comply with the rules set by the VFSC, including regular reporting and adherence to AML/CFT obligations.

The process of obtaining a license takes an average of 3 to 7 months.

It is important to note that specific requirements and procedures are subject to change, so it is recommended that you consult with a Fast Offshore Licenses professional advisor or the Vanuatu Finance Service for the most up-to-date information before beginning the application process.

The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) is the regulatory body responsible for issuing forex licenses and monitoring financial services activities. It is created to establish a regulatory framework for all financial service providers, including forex, and is charged with making regulations and conducting investigations.

The VFSC has the following powers:

• accepts and reviews license applications;
• issues licenses after verifying applications;
• supervise licensees to prevent fraud;
• has the authority to impose fines on violators.

If grounds are found, the VFSC has the right to revoke a previously issued license.

The VFSC also regulates and supervises anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). In 2014, the VFSC issued the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act), which sets out specific requirements that businesses and individuals must comply with.

The Financial Services Commission is not the only body dealing with Vanuatu’s financial services. The Financial Center Association (FCA) is also active in this area. What sets the FCA apart is that it is a non-profit organization and does not engage in regulation. Instead, its main areas of activity include insurance, banking, real estate, online auctions, brokerage and finance, accounting, business consulting, and other areas. The FCA’s main goal is to attract investment and attract foreign companies to operate in the Forex market by ensuring that the regulatory system is attractive.