Frequently asked questions

A ready made company, also called a shelf company, is a company that was incorporated in advance and then left dormant. It has never traded and has no debts, so its shares can be transferred to a new owner straight away.

Yes. Buying the shares of a dormant company is a normal commercial transaction in every jurisdiction we cover. The seller must complete due diligence on the buyer and the change must be recorded on the company's registers.

Once due diligence is complete, many transfers finish within a few working days. Countries that need a notary or a court registration take longer. We give you a realistic timeline with your quotation.

Some tenders, suppliers, landlords and counterparties prefer a company with an earlier incorporation date. Age can support credibility, but it never guarantees a bank account, a licence or a contract.

A shelf company is a newly created, dormant company waiting for its first owner. 'Shell company' usually describes a company with no real operations, and is often used negatively. We sell shelf companies for genuine business use.

Entrepreneurs with a deadline, businesses bidding for tenders, groups that need a local entity quickly, investors who need a holding vehicle, and advisers acting for clients.

Yes. The name, directors, shareholders and registered office are normally changed as part of the transfer, so the company is fully yours.

A passport or national identity card, recent proof of address, a short description of your planned business and information on your source of funds, for every owner and director.

Yes, in most jurisdictions the whole process is completed remotely with electronic or couriered documents. A few countries need a notary appointment, which can often be done by power of attorney.

Yes. For corporate buyers we complete due diligence on the company, its directors and its ultimate beneficial owners.

Yes. If the name is available in the jurisdiction, the change of name is filed with the transfer.

The company has been dormant since incorporation, and you receive written confirmation of that in the sale documents. You can also verify its filing history on the public register.

Not as standard. Banks carry out their own checks on the new owners. We explain which banks and payment institutions are realistic for your jurisdiction and activity, and can support the application.

As soon as the transfer is complete and the registers are updated. Licences, tax registrations and bank accounts follow their own timelines.

Typically a registered office, annual return or confirmation statement, annual accounts, tax returns and beneficial ownership updates. We give you a compliance calendar.

Yes, directly or through licensed local providers, depending on the jurisdiction.

Price on request. The cost depends on the jurisdiction, the age of the company and the services you add. You receive a fixed written quotation before paying anything.

Payment details are set out in your quotation. Payments must come from an account in the name of the buyer, in line with anti-money laundering rules.

Yes. Every company has annual costs such as a registered office, government fees, accounts and tax returns. We list the expected annual costs for your jurisdiction in the quotation.