Tempistiche per la Costituzione di una Società a Mauritius

The first phase involves client onboarding, structure design, and KYC document collection. CTM conducts an initial consultation with the client — in person, by video call, or in writing — to understand the commercial objectives, the proposed structure, the parties involved, and any specific regulatory requirements. Based on this consultation, CTM prepares a tailored structure memorandum and a personalised KYC checklist. KYC document collection can take anywhere from a few days (for a simple structure with a single individual shareholder and director) to several weeks (for complex multi-layered structures involving multiple corporate shareholders, foreign trusts, or parties from higher-risk jurisdictions). CTM conducts its AML/CFT risk assessment during this phase and prepares its internal compliance file. Management-level sign-off is required before the consent letter can be issued and the application submitted. This phase also covers the drafting and finalisation of the business plan, which must accurately describe the proposed activities of the GBC and demonstrate genuine substance arrangements in Mauritius. For structures involving regulated activities, CTM will conduct a pre-licensing review to identify any additional FSC applications required.

Once KYC clearance is obtained and the structure is confirmed, CTM proceeds with the preparation of the company's constitutional documents. This begins with a company name availability check through the Companies and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) portal — at least two to three name options should be prepared in advance in case the preferred name is unavailable or requires clarification. Names that suggest a connection with governments, royalty, or regulated activities require additional approval. CTM drafts the memorandum and articles of association tailored to the client's governance requirements, along with the director consent letters, the first minutes of the board, share certificate templates, and the GBC application form for the FSC Mauritius. These documents are reviewed and approved by the client before submission. The entire document preparation phase typically takes 3 to 5 business days for standard structures. The Registrar of Companies incorporation filing — once documents are submitted — is typically processed within 3 to 7 business days, at which point the certificate of incorporation is issued. The company legally exists from this date, though it cannot conduct global business activities until the FSC Global Business Licence is received.

Following incorporation at the Registrar of Companies, CTM submits the GBC licence application to the FSC Mauritius. The application package includes the certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, the business plan, full KYC on all parties, the management company consent letter, and the applicable FSC application form with supporting annexures. The FSC Mauritius conducts a substantive review of the application, which typically takes 2 to 3 weeks for a well-prepared standard GBC application. During this review, the FSC may issue queries (referred to as 'FSC queries') requesting clarification on certain aspects of the application or additional documentation. CTM manages the query response process and aims to respond within 2 to 3 business days of receiving any query. Complex structures, regulated activity applications, or applications involving parties from higher-risk jurisdictions may take longer. Upon FSC approval, the Global Business Licence is issued and the company is officially licensed to conduct global business activities from Mauritius. CTM prepares the complete statutory file and delivers it to the client. The company is now also eligible to apply for the Mauritius Tax Residency Certificate from the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), which is required to access the benefits of Mauritius's double taxation avoidance agreements.

Bank account opening for a newly incorporated GBC is a separate process that runs in parallel with or following the FSC approval phase. CTM assists clients with bank selection based on the company's activities, the jurisdictions of counterparties, the nature of expected transactions, and the client's banking history and relationships. Mauritius hosts several international banks including HSBC, Barclays (now ABSA), SBM Bank, MCB, and AfrAsia Bank, each with different risk appetites and service offerings. The bank's compliance team will conduct its own independent KYC review of the company and all its directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners. In addition to the incorporation documents and KYC materials, the bank typically requires a detailed account purpose questionnaire, expected transaction volumes and counterparties, source of funds for initial deposit, and often a compliance interview (in person or by video) with the directors or authorised signatories. The bank may also require a minimum initial deposit, which varies by institution and account type. Bank account opening typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from submission of the complete bank application package. Delays are most commonly caused by incomplete documentation, queries on transaction profiles or source of funds, or the bank's internal escalation to senior compliance for enhanced due diligence. CTM provides ongoing liaison with the bank throughout the process and advises on how best to address compliance queries to maximise approval prospects.