LPs
LPs
The Nevis Limited Partnership Ordinance, 2025 establishes the comprehensive legal regime governing the creation, operation, management, financing, dissolution, and redomiciliation of limited partnerships registered in Nevis.
A Nevis LP is a business entity that provides an alternative to those who might otherwise consider using a corporation or company. An LP is a legal entity with separate rights and liabilities, distinct from its partners. Accordingly, the LP is solely liable for its own debts, obligations, and liabilities.
An LP formed in Nevis may be used for any lawful business purpose. It may be utilised for any legitimate business venture or professional practice, including international financing arrangements for U.S. or non‑U.S. operations, real estate holdings, asset protection, and estate planning.
The LP is managed by its general partners, exclusive of the limited partners. The precise characterisation of the partners’ rights and obligations depends on the terms of the partnership agreement. One or more persons acting through a registered agent may form a Nevis limited partnership, and any person may act as promoter. A Nevis LP must have at least two partners, and they must be two different persons.
Under the Ordinance, a Nevis LP is required to maintain a registered agent in Nevis who is licensed under the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers Ordinance. Failure to maintain a registered agent may result in penalties and strike‑off. A Nevis LP is formed by filing Articles of Formation with the Registrar. No initial capital is required at formation, and there is no requirement to issue ownership interests for the LP to commence operations. A written partnership agreement is required and governs the operation of the LP and the rights and duties of the partners.
Partnerships may also engage in spin‑offs, creating successor partnerships subject to statutory requirements. A foreign LP (or similar entity) may transfer its domicile to Nevis, and foreign entities such as corporations, companies, and foundations may convert into a Nevis LP through a streamlined statutory procedure. The Ordinance further provides for emergency transfers of domicile into Nevis by application to the Registrar.
Part IV of the NLPO offers direction on the formation of LPs.
The formation of an LP must be carried out by a duly licensed registered agent.
- The name of limited partnership may be reserved.
- The registered agent files the Articles of Formation with the Registrar of Limited Partnerships.
3. The Articles of Formation must include the following:
- the name of the limited partnership;
- the authenticated translation of the name of the limited partnership, if it is so registered;
- a statement that the limited partnership is formed under this Ordinance;
- the latest date on which the limited partnership is to dissolve, or if the limited partnership shall have unlimited duration;
- the name of the registered agent of the limited partnership;
- the registered office address of the limited partnership in Nevis which shall be the registered office of its registered agent;
- the limited partnership is registered as limited partnership;
- the purposes for which the limited partnership is formed;
- the name and address of each promoter of the limited partnership.
Certificate of Good Standing$135.00$50.00
| Type of Document | XCD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Fee (rush requests, re-application of fees request etc.) | $270.00 | $100.00 |
| Apostille | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Certified True Copies of Filed or Registered Instruments (including first three (3) pages) | $81.00 | $30.00 |
| (each additional page after first three (3) pages) | $4.00 | $1.50 |
| Copies of Filed or Registered Instruments (per page) | $4.00 | $1.50 |
| Certificate Certifying True Copy of Filed or Registered Instruments | $95.00 | $35.00 |
| Authenticated translation of name in non-Latin alphabet characters | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Using a Restricted word | $81.00 | $30.00 |
| Miscellaneous Letter | $270.00 | $100.00 |
| Tax Exemption Letter | $270.00 | $100.00 |
| Application for Consent for Filing or Registration of an Instrument | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Application for Voluntary Filing of Instrument | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Endorsement Certificate | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Certificate of Correction | $270.00 | $100.00 |
| Application for Verification of Accuracy of Authenticated Translation | $540.00 | $200.00 |
| Annual Renewal | $810.00 | $300.00 |
| Penalty for late filing of Annual Fees | ||
| (first six months) | $540.00 | $200.00 |
| (after six months) | $1080.00 | $35.00 |
| Certificate of Renewal | $81.00 | $30.00 |
| Application for Removal or Resignation of Registered Agent | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Application for Appointment of Registered Agent | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Application for Change of Registered Agent | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Certificate of Removal, Resignation, Appointment or Change of Registered Agent | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Name Reservation for 10 days, after initial reservation | $40.00 | $15.00 |
| Name Reservation for 120 days | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Renewal of Name Reservation for 120 days | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Application for Articles of Formation | $810.00 | $300.00 |
| Certificate of Formation | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Articles of Amendment of Articles of Formation | $540.00 | $200.00 |
| Application for Articles of Restatement of Articles of Formation | $311.00 | $115.00 |
| Search (Inspection only) | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Search and report | $162.00 | $60.00 |
| Articles of Formation with Partnership Agreement | $810.00 | $300.00 |
| Application for Registration of a Charge | $675.00 | $250.00 |
| Application for Registration of Variation of a Registered Charge | $675.00 | $250.00 |
| Application for Registration of Satisfaction of a Registered Charge | $675.00 | $250.00 |
| Application for Articles of Conversion | $1215.00 | $450.00 |
| Certificate of Conversion | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Articles of Consolidation | $1215.00 | $450.00 |
| Application for Articles of Merger | $1215.00 | $450.00 |
| Certificate of Consolidation | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Certificate of Merger | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Articles of Spin-off | $1215.00 | $450.00 |
| Certificate of Spin-off | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Restoration to Register | $810.00 | $300.00 |
| Application for Articles of Dissolution | $810.00 | $300.00 |
| Certificate of Dissolution | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Articles of Transfer of Domicile to Nevis | $540.00 | $200.00 |
| Application for Articles of Emergency Transfer of Domicile | $932.00 | $345.00 |
| Certificate of Transfer to Nevis | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Application for Articles of Departure from Nevis | $1080.00 | $400.00 |
| Certificate of Departure from Nevis | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Administrative Fees (Refunds) | $135.00 | $50.00 |
| Any Other Certificate | $68.00 | $25.00 |
| Duplicate Certificate | $68.00 | $25.00 |
| Certificate of Continuation | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Issuing a Statement/Declaration of Involuntary Dissolution | $54.00 | $20.00 |
| Printing of Certificate | $27.00 | $10.00 |
| Failure to obtain or designate a new Registered Agent | $1350.00 | $500.00 |
Trust and Corporate Service Providers
The classes of licence issued under the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers Ordinance, 2021 are:
- Class I – licence permits the holder to act as a formation agent and provide registered agent and registered office, business address or accommodation, correspondence or administrative address for corporations, limited liability companies and foundations only or to act as or arranging for another person to act as a director, shareholder, secretary or officer of a corporation; a manager, member or officer of a company; or a member of the supervisory or management board of a multiform foundation.
- Class II – licence may be restricted or unrestricted. A restricted licence permits the holder to register and provide registered office, business address or accommodation, correspondence or administrative address for trusts only. An unrestricted licence permits the holder to carry on Class II restricted activities as well as trust business.
- Class III – licence permits the holder to carry on business as a registered agent for international insurance.
- Class IV – licence permits the holder to act as or arrange for another person to act as a director or nominee shareholder for another person
An applicant for licence under the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers Ordinance, must complete the following forms:
- Form 1 – Application for a TCSP licence
- Form 2 – Application for a Class IV licence
- Form 3 – Personal Questionnaire
- Form 4 – Banker’s Questionnaire
The forms must be accompanied by supporting documents; and the prescribed fee.
The Licensing Committee will process the application in accordance with its application processing procedures. Upon completion of this process, if it is satisfied that an application is in order and the applicant is a fit and proper person to be licensed to conduct trust and corporate services business, the Licensing Committee will approve the application and issue the relevant licences to the applicant subject to the applicant paying the prescribed licence fees.
Due diligence investigations and fit and proper assessments are also conducted on the principals, shareholders, beneficial owners, directors, etc of the applicant. The relevant forms and fees are contained in the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers (Forms and Fees) Regulations.
Under the Alien Land Holding Act Cap. 102, foreign beneficial owners and directors of a local company must have an Alien Land Holding licence to hold shares in the company and act as directors. These applications are made through the Ministry of Agriculture. Work permits are also required for the staff that are non-nationals of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
A licence issued by the Licensing Committee shall be subject to the conditions that the licensee:
- carries on business only in accordance with the class of licence issued;
- informs the Licensing Committee by notice in writing within 30 days of any change, or proposed change, in the information contained in, or supplied with the last application for a licence;
- informs the Licensing Committee of any change of address of the licensee;
- requests and receives prior written approval from the Licensing Committee, within 30 days of the date of the request, to operate a subsidiary, branch, agency or representative office outside of the Island of Nevis;
- does not appoint members to its board of directors or appoint any senior management staff without the prior written approval of the Licensing Committee.
- shall, if a company, at no time have fewer than two directors who must be individuals
All TCSPs are required to submit annual audited financial statements within 3 months of the end of their financial year in accordance with sections 35-37 of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission Act (FSRC Act).
They are also subject to AML/CFT compliance audits as mandated under the FSRC Act, the Anti-money Laundering Regulations, 2011, the Anti-Terrorism (Prevention of Terrorist Financing) Regulations, 2011 and the Financial Services (Implementation of Industry Standards) Regulations, 2011. The Compliance audits are undertaken pursuant to our Risk-Based Supervisory Framework to evaluate the adequacy and completeness of the measures that are in place for AML/CFT with special attention on the internal controls procedures for client acceptance, monitoring risks, suspicious activity reporting to authorities and record keeping.
- Form 1 – Application for a TCSP licence
- Form 2 – Application for a Class IV licence
- Form 3 – Personal Questionnaire
- Form 4 – Banker’s Questionnaire
- Form 5 – Application for Renewal for TCSP licence
- Form 7 – Notice of Change of Registered Office
- Form 8 – Notice of Change of Particulars
- Application for the Approval of the Appointment of a Compliance or Reporting Officer
- Renewal Application for a Compliance or Reporting Officer
LICENSING FEES
| Application for Licence |
1,890.00 |
700.00 |
| TYPE OF LICENCE | ||
| Class I Licence | 2,700.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Class II Restricted Licence
Class II Unrestricted Licence |
2,700.00
5,400.00 |
1,000.00
2,000.00 |
| Class III Licence | 4,050.00 | 1,500.00 |
| Class IV Licence | 2,700.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Additional fees for authorised persons (51 – 500 entities) | 945.00 | 350.00 |
| Additional fees for authorised persons (501 – 1000 entities) | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
| Additional fees for authorised persons (1001 – unlimited) | 4,050.00 | 1,500.00 |
LICENCE RENEWAL FEES
| FEE
(XCD) |
FEE
(USD) |
|
|
TYPE OF LICENCE |
||
| Renewal of Class I Licence | 2,700.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Renewal of Class II Restricted Licence
Renewal of Class II Unrestricted Licence |
2,700.00
5,400.00 |
1,000.00
2,000.00 |
| Renewal of Class III Licence | 4,050.00 | 1,500.00 |
| Renewal of Class IV Licence | 2,700.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Renewal fees for authorised persons (51 – 500 entities) | 945.00 | 350.00 |
| Renewal fees for authorised persons (501 – 1000 entities) | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
| Renewal fees for authorised persons (1001 – unlimited) | 4,050.00 | 1,500.00 |
FEES FOR ANCILLARY SERVICES
|
TYPE OF DOCUMENT AND SERVICE |
FEE
(XCD) |
FEE (USD)
|
| Due Diligence Fee – St. Kitts and Nevis National/Resident who has resided outside of St. Kitts and Nevis for five (5) years or more |
4,050.00 |
1,500.00 |
| Due Diligence Fee – Other CARICOM National | 6,750.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Due Diligence Fee – Other Foreign National | 13,500.00 | 5,000.00 |
| Application for approval of director or senior management staff of a licensee | 540.00 | 200.00 |
| Application for approval of shareholder/beneficial owner | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
| Approval for issue, transfer, disposal of shares (no change in control) | 810.00 | 300.00 |
| Approval for name change | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Approval for change of financial year end | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Approval or appointment/change of Auditors | 405.00 | 150.00 |
| Amendments to the business plan | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Approval for change of registered office | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Approval for voluntary winding up | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Approval to enter into a merger, amalgamation or consolidation | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
| Request for approval of subsidiary/branch | 1,350.00 | 500.00 |
| Miscellaneous requests for letters | 405.00 | 150.00 |
| Request for extension of submission of audited financial statements | 405.00 | 150.00 |
| Late submissions | 270.00 | 100.00 |
| Penalties for late submissions | 135.00 | 50.00
(for each day in default after deadline) |
Credit Unions
Application and Registration Fees for a Credit Union
| Total Assets | Application Fee (Non-refundable) | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $20 000 000 | $3,500.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Between $20 000 000-$40 000 000 | $3,500.00 | $7,500.00 |
| Greater than $40 000 000 | $3,500.00 | $10,000.00 |
FND Co-operative Credit Union
Nevis Co-operative Credit Union
Police Co-operative Credit Union
St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union
Money Services Business
Money Services Business means the business of providing as a primary service any of the following: transmission of money or monetary value in any form; cheque cashing; currency exchange; the issuance, sale and redemption of payment instruments; any other services the Minister may specify by notice published in the gazette; or the business of operating as an agent or franchise holder.
The several classes of licence issued under the Money Services Act, No. 26 of 2008, shall authorize the holders to carry on money services business as specified –
- CLASS A licence permits the holder to carry on the transmission of money or monetary value in any form, the issuance, sale or redemption of money orders or traveller’s cheques, cheque cashing and currency exchange.
- CLASS B licence permits the holder to carry on the issuance, sale or redemption of money orders or traveller’s cheques, cheque cashing and currency exchange.
- CLASS C licence permits the holder to carry on cheque cashing.
- CLASS D licence permits the holder to carry on currency exchange.
- CLASS E licence permits the holder to carry on pay day advances.
Where different places of business are kept in the name of the same legal person, a separate licence is required for each such place of business.
In order to obtain a licence as a money services business, a person shall apply in writing to the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, pay the prescribed application fee, complete Form A and Form B as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Money Services Business Act of 2008 and submit the required documents. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission will process the application in accordance with its application processing procedures. Upon completion of this process, if it is satisfied that an application is in order and the applicant is a fit and proper person to be licensed to conduct money services business, the Financial Services Regulatory Commission will approve the application and issue a licence to the applicant subject to the applicant paying the prescribed licence fee and making the prescribed statutory deposit in accordance with the Money Services Business Act.
It is anticipated that every sponsor will arrange for a delegation of its senior officers, or, in the case of an independent institution, of its principal controllers, to make a presentation in respect of the applicant and its proposed business before a formal application is submitted.
Audited Financial Statements
- If the applicant is a business that was existent and operating prior to the date of application, copies of audited financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss, auditor’s report and notes to accounts) for the five consecutive years immediately preceding its application, except however that where such applicant has been functioning for less than five years, a copy of its audited financial statements for each year it has been in operation shall be sufficient.
- Where item 1 is not applicable the opening balance sheet, (audited).
- Operating projections for the proposed licensee’s first five years of business. This should include balance sheet, income statement and cash flow projections prepared in an acceptable accounting format. Details of any financial or economic assumptions on which these projections are based should be clearly indicated.
- Where Applicant is a subsidiary or affiliate of another company, submit in addition to item 1 or 2, audited financial statements of the parent company and all other “connected” companies.
Licensed Money Services Businesses
- MP Express
- Western Union
Form A – Information to be contained in and to accompany an application for the grant of a licence.
Form B – Personal questionnaire (Fit and Proper Test)
Application and annual licensing fees are as follows:
| Class | Application Fee | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Class B | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Class C | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Class D | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Class E | $2,000 | $10,000 |
Duration of Money Services Businesses
A licence to carry on money services business is valid from the date of first issue to the 31st December of that year and is renewable each year on payment of the prescribed annual fee on or before the 15th day of January.
If the Commission has reasonable cause to suspect that any person is carrying on money services business without a licence granted under the Money Services Business Act, No. 26 of 2008, the Financial Services Regulatory Commission may relay the matter before a Magistrate with regards to its suspicions.
Accounts
A licensee is required to appoint annually an Auditor who must be a Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean or some other professionally qualified accountant, whose duty shall be to prepare reports on the annual financial statements and financial position of the licensee.
Accordingly, the licensee must, within three months of the end of their financial year, forward the audited financial statements to the Financial Services Regulatory Commission unless prior written approval for an extension was granted by the Commission.
A licensee shall institute procedures to ensure that its accounting records and systems of business control comply with the requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, No. 25 of 2008.
Annual Returns
The holder of a Class A or Class B licence, must, within the format provided by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, file quarterly returns with the Commission within fifteen days of the end of a quarter, along with a written declaration that the information set out in the application for the licence remains correct and gives a fair picture of the operations of the money services business.
The holder of Class C, Class D or Class E licence must, within fifteen days of the end of the financial year, file an annual return with the Commission along with a written declaration that the information set out in its application remains correct.
Revocation and Termination of a Licence
The Financial Services Regulatory Commission may revoke any licence to carry on money services business in Saint Christopher and Nevis if the licensee (a) fails to commence operations within a period of three (3) months following the granting of the licence; (b) fails to comply with the conditions or restrictions of its licence; (c) is in breach of any of the provisions of the Money Services Business Act; (d) ceases to carry on money services business in Saint Christopher and Nevis; (e) is conducting its affairs in a manner detrimental to the public interest or to the interest of its customers; (f) goes into liquidation or is winding up or otherwise dissolved; (g) by reason of any other circumstance, is no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission will also terminate a licence at the request of the licensee.
Where a licence to carry on money services business in Saint Christopher and Nevis has been revoked, the Financial Services Regulatory Commission will publish a notice of the revocation in the Gazette and a newspaper circulating in Saint Christopher and Nevis and take any other steps necessary to inform the public of such revocation.
International Banking
The Nevis International Banking Ordinance, No 1 of 2014 was designed to enable international banking to be carried on by international banks from within Nevis and to encourage the development of Nevis as a responsible international financial centre.The banking legislation is comprehensive with a strong built-in regulatory framework to ensure that a bank licensed under the legislation can be properly monitored to safeguard depositor’s funds and ensure that the bank maintains acceptable accounting standards and satisfies capital requirements.
To deter the establishment of brass plate banks and to protect the reputation of the jurisdiction, the Ordinance provides that no licence can be issued to an individual. Licences are granted only to eligible companies or qualified foreign banks. A licensee is required to have a physical place in Nevis approved by the Regulator of International Banking which will also be its registered office.
An eligible company includes a body corporate which has been incorporated under the Companies Ordinance which is a wholly owned subsidiary of a bank which is indigenous to St. Kitts and Nevis and regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; or a subsidiary of a qualified foreign bank which has been incorporated under the Companies Ordinance; or a body corporate which has been incorporated under the Companies Ordinance of which the chief executive officer at the time of its application for a licence, has at least ten years’ experience in banking or finance.
A qualified foreign bank is defined as a bank with adequate capitalization and assets that is licensed to conduct domestic banking in its jurisdiction of incorporation, or a financial institution that is directly or indirectly a wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign bank.
Once an application is made and all requirements are satisfied, a licence will be issued to the successful applicant upon the payment of a prescribed licensing fee.
The Ordinance permits the identification and the investigation of all directors, beneficial owners and senior managers of an international bank in Nevis. Only fit and proper persons will be permitted to hold a directorship, senior management, beneficial ownership or shareholding position in an international bank.
| The matter in respect of which the prescribed fee is payable |
USD |
| Initial licence fee | 100,000.00 |
| Application fee | 7,500.00 |
| Administrative fee | 2,500.00 |
| Annual licence fee | 100,000.00 |
| Regulatory requests for approval and ancillary matters | USD |
| Change of shareholder/director/senior management or other control person | 1,000.00 |
| Amendments to ownership structure | 1,000.00 |
| Approval for issue, transfer, disposal of shares (no change in control) | 500.00 |
| Approval for change of particulars | 500.00 |
| Approval for change of name | 1,000.00 |
| Approval for altering articles of incorporation and by laws | 500.00 |
| Approval for appointment of auditors | 250.00 |
| Request Extension of time for filing of regulatory reports | 150.00 |
| Amendments to the business plan | 500.00 |
| Approval for use of the word “Bank” and its derivatives | 500.00 |
| Approval for registered office or change of registered address | 200.00 |
| Approval of maintenance of reserve fund | 500.00 |
| Approval for voluntary winding up | 2,500.00 |
| Approval to enter into a merger, amalgamation or consolidation | 2,500.00 |
| Request for approval of subsidiary/sales office | 2,500.00 |
| Regulatory request letter | 350.00 |
| Request for change in auditor | 250.00 |
| Request for extension of submission of quarterly returns | 150.00 |
| Request for extension of submission of audited financial statements | 150.00 |
| Miscellaneous request | 300.00 |
| Onsite examination fee – subsidiaries and overseas based operations | 20,000.00 |
| Late submission of Quarterly Returns | 5,000.00 and 500.00 for each day in default |
| Late submission of audited financial statements | 1,500.00 & 150.00 for each day in default |
Offences in respect of which liability to conviction may be discharged by payment of fixed penalty
| Section of Ordinance | Section of Ordinance | Fixed Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (2) | Carrying on International Banking within Nevis without a license | Not exceeding $500,000.00 and a further penalty of $50,000.00 for each day in default |
| 15 (11) | Breach of condition of license | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each day in default |
| 16 (2) | Failure to display copy of current license | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each month in default |
| 17 | Unauthorised use of the word “bank” in name | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each day in default |
| 21 | Appointment of a person debarred from management | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each day in default |
| 25, 26, 27, 28 | Failure of director to disclose and declare interest | $10,000 for each contravention |
| 29 | Disclosure of confidential information | $20,000.00 |
| 31 | Failure to forward to the Regulator and shareholders, copies of Annual Audited Financial Statements by the prescribed date or forwarding returns after the prescribed date | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each month in default |
| 76 | Failure to report to the Regulator any abandoned property in its possession or failure to deposit or convey to the Administration and abandoned property | $25,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each day in default |
| 77(1) and (2) | Conducting international banking from within Nevis during any period in which a licensee/director/officer does not hold a license | Not exceeding $250,00.00 (Licensee)
Up to $50,000.00 (director/officer) |
| 78 | Engaging in advertising practices contrary to Ordinance | $10,000.00 and a further penalty of $1,000.00 for each day in default |
| 79 | Making false statements and obstruction | $50,000.00 |
| 10(4) | Failure to submit returns as required by the Regulator | $5,000.00 |
The Application and supporting forms for international banking licences are available below. You are strongly advised to contact the International Banking Division to discuss your proposals before completing and submitting an application form.