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Launch Your Cayman Islands Holding Company
Neutral, Tax-Free, Globally Recognized
Set up a Cayman Islands holding company with Orbit. We coordinate incorporation through licensed local service providers, deliver governance and compliance, and ensure all filings meet Cayman’s economic substance (ES) requirements. A proven structure for funds, SPVs, and international holding platforms.
Quick facts
| Feature | Value | Why it matters | |
| Best for | SPVs, private equity vehicles, fund platforms, IPO holdcos, family wealth | Widely recognized offshore standard | |
| Setup speed | ~3–5 business days | Fast and efficient | |
| Minimum share capital | None (typical: USD 1) | Minimal entry cost | |
| Local director needed | No | 100% foreign ownership | |
| Company secretary | No (usually included via service provider) | Simple governance | |
| Registered office | Yes (via licensed service provider) | Mandatory | |
| Corporate income tax | 0% | Fully tax-neutral | |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | Efficient exits | |
| Withholding tax | 0% | Clean distribution | |
| Economic substance (ES) | Light for pure equity holding companies | Simple compliance | |
| Audit | Not required (unless regulated) | Keeps costs low | |
| Tax treaties | Minimal | Neutral platform, not a treaty play | |
| Banking ease | Moderate (stronger with KYC + substance) | Use global or regional banks |
Key Considerations
- Cayman Exempted Companies are the standard for holding vehicles and SPVs.
- No local director requirement — management can be entirely offshore.
- No corporate, income, or withholding taxes of any kind.
- Economic Substance (ES) rules apply but are minimal for pure equity holding companies.
- Accounting records must be maintained for at least 5 years (can be kept outside Cayman if accessible).
- Beneficial ownership registers are required (filed privately with registered office providers, not public).
Cost snapshot (USD)
| Cost item | One-time setup | Annual ongoing | |
| Incorporation (via licensed service provider) | 1,200 – 2,000 | – | |
| Registered agent & office | – | 800 – 1,500 | |
| Annual government fee | – | 850 – 1,800 | |
| Economic substance filing (if applicable) | – | 400 – 800 | |
| Accounting & recordkeeping | – | 800 – 1,500 | |
| Estimated total | 1,200 – 2,000 | 3,000 – 5,500 / year |
Pricing depends on provider, share capital, and level of substance support.
Why Cayman Islands works for holding companies
The Cayman Islands is the global benchmark for offshore holding and fund structures. It provides:
While Cayman lacks tax treaty benefits, it offers unmatched neutrality, simplicity, and credibility for cross-border holdings and fundraising.
Tax Regime for Holding Companies
- Corporate income tax: 0% — no income or profits tax.
- Withholding tax on dividends: 0% on dividends, interest, and royalties.
- Capital gains tax: 0% — no tax on share disposals.
- Stamp duty: None on share transfers.
- Tax treaties: None significant — typically used for neutrality, not treaty access.
- Shareholder taxation: Determined by investor’s home jurisdiction.
If conducting relevant activities (e.g., financing, distribution, IP), enhanced ES standards apply — local management, premises, and expenditure are required.
Orbit ensures timely filings and coordinates with licensed providers to meet all ES obligations.
What you get with Orbit
End-to-end setup and compliance.
Pre-incorporation planning
Structure and ownership design, use-case validation.
Company setup
Incorporation through licensed Cayman provider, registered office, and statutory filings.
Governance
Director appointments, registers, and annual minutes.
Compliance
Annual returns, government fees, and ES filings.
Accounting
Recordkeeping and preparation for financial reporting.
Banking
Support for offshore account opening (Singapore, Switzerland, UAE, etc.).
How the process works
Orbit coordinates notary work through a local partner, secures a registered office, arranges director and board support for substance, and sets up bookkeeping and compliance.
