Dmitri Mihhailov
General Partner
Leads Prifinance's corporate practice and oversees client engagements, with senior expertise in international company structuring and bank-account setup.
Register a company in Samoa
- Polynesia’s bridge to Asia.Company registration in Samoa allows you to establish an International Company remotely under a dedicated government-run international finance regime operating since 1988. Clean applications can be completed within 1-2 business days, while incorporation documents may be issued in Chinese as well as English. The result is a Pacific structure with 0% local tax on worldwide income and a long-established connection to Asia-facing trade.
30 yrs
of experienceof experience
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
Samoa · at a glance
Legal formIC · International Company
Time to set up1-2 business days
Corporate tax0% - international company
Capital gains / dividendsNot taxed
Min. capitalNo minimum
Remote setupYes - via trustee company
4.7
★★★★★
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Samoa in brief
The international finance centre of independent Polynesia.
Samoa - the independent Polynesian state, not American Samoa - has operated an international finance sector since 1988 under SIFA, a dedicated government authority that keeps the registry fast, private and deliberately Asia-oriented. Incorporation documents can be issued in Chinese as well as English, which has made Samoan ICs a familiar vehicle in Greater-China trade for decades. Common-law courts, Commonwealth membership and licensed trustee companies complete the framework.
The International Company is a classic zero-tax offshore vehicle: no Samoan tax on worldwide income, no public registers, no filed accounts and formation within 1-2 business days. Samoa also has a strong international-trust framework. One limitation needs to be stated clearly: Samoa is currently on the EU’s non-cooperative list, which can complicate Europe-facing structures. For Asia-Pacific trading, holding and wealth structures, however, it remains an established and comparatively affordable option.
Packages & pricing
Company registration in Samoa - cost and packages.
01 - IC · INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
Company
from$2,000USD · all-in
Remote Samoa company formation includes name reservation, SIFA registry filing, government fees and the first year of the trustee company and registered office.
✓Company name check and reservation✓IC registration and all government fees✓Memorandum and articles - English or Chinese✓Trustee company and office - first year✓Corporate documents with apostille✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: Samoan international trust - from $3,500 · nominee services - on request · annual renewal - from $1,200/year.
Start with Company →02 - IC · INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
Most popularCompany + Bank Account
from$3,600USD · all-in
A working Samoan IC with a fintech or bank account - multi-currency IBAN, cards and online banking arranged fully remotely.
✓Everything in Company✓Account with an Asian / EU EMI or bank - multi-currency, SWIFT✓Account application and KYC file preparation✓Introduction to 2-3 suitable institutions✓Compliance onboarding support✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →These are starting prices; the final quote is confirmed before work begins. Samoa has no paid-in capital requirement, while the fixed government fee and trustee-company charges are itemised separately.
What you can do
Popular reasons to open a company in Samoa.
Samoan law does not restrict founders by citizenship or residence, and an International Company may conduct almost any lawful business outside Samoa. Several activities can be combined in one structure, while regulated sectors such as banking and insurance require separate licensing.
Asia-Pacific trading
A registry used by Greater-China trade for decades, with corporate documents that can be issued in Chinese.
Holding & investment
Shares, property and investment portfolios held through a 0% international company under common-law mechanics.
Wealth & trusts
Samoan international trusts can be paired with an IC for succession and asset-protection planning.
Consulting & services
Management, IT and advisory services provided to clients worldwide.
E-commerce
Online stores and digital products with international settlements across Pacific time zones.
Asset protection
Private corporate registers and statutory protections in a jurisdiction with a strong international-trust framework.
Why Samoa
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
0% for International Companies
An IC pays no Samoan tax on worldwide income, capital gains or withholding.
✓
Chinese-language documents
SIFA can issue incorporation documents in Chinese as well as English.
✓
Dedicated authority
SIFA has administered the international finance sector since 1988 through licensed trustee companies.
✓
Formation in 1-2 days
Clean applications can be completed within one to two business days.
✓
Privacy by default
There is no public register of shareholders or directors; records remain with the trustee company.
✓
International trust framework
Samoa’s trust legislation allows corporate and wealth structures to be maintained within one jurisdiction.
How it compares
Samoa alongside the main alternatives.
The Marshall Islands offer US-style corporate law, Vanuatu is known as a licensing hub, and the Cook Islands are closely associated with trusts and asset protection. Samoa’s main advantages are its Asia-facing track record and relatively low cost, while its EU-list status needs to be considered separately. Figures current as of 2026.
| Country | Tax position | Signature trait | Fully remote incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa | 0% - international company | Chinese-language docs · EU-listed | Yes - 1-2 days |
| Marshall Islands | 0% - non-resident | Delaware-style law | Yes - 1-2 days |
| Vanuatu | 0% - no income tax | Licensing hub | Yes - 1-2 weeks |
| Cook Islands | 0% offshore | Trust & asset-protection crown | Yes - pricier |
| Seychelles | 0% territorial | Cheapest IBC | Yes - 1-2 days |
SamoaRemote ✓
Tax position0% - international company
Signature traitChinese-language docs · EU-listed
Marshall IslandsRemote ✓
Tax position0% - non-resident
Signature traitDelaware-style law
VanuatuRemote ✓
Tax position0% - no income tax
Signature traitLicensing hub
Cook IslandsRemote ✓
Tax position0% offshore
Signature traitTrust & asset-protection crown
SeychellesRemote ✓
Tax position0% territorial
Signature traitCheapest IBC
Requirements
What Samoan law actually requires.
01
Shareholders - one or more individuals or companies of any nationality; no residency requirement and no public disclosure.
02
Director - at least one director, who may live anywhere and may also be the sole shareholder; corporate directors are permitted.
03
Capital - there is no minimum and no paid-in requirement; capital may be denominated in any currency.
04
Trustee company & office - a SIFA-licensed trustee company and registered office in Samoa are mandatory and included in the package.
05
Name - the company name must be distinguishable and end in Ltd, Corp, Inc or an equivalent; Chinese-character names may also be registered.
06
Records - internal corporate registers and accounting records are maintained with the trustee company and are not public.
How it works
From application to a registered company - within days.
To register a company in Samoa, the process runs through legal advisers and a SIFA-licensed trustee company. Documents are signed remotely, and most clean applications are completed within two business days.
01Same day
Free consultation
We confirm whether Samoa fits the case, including the EU-list question, and agree the full cost in advance.
021 day
KYC & documents
Passports, proof of address and a short business description; the incorporation package is prepared.
03Hours
Name reservation
The company name is checked and reserved with SIFA in Latin or Chinese characters.
041-2 days
Registry filing
The trustee company files the incorporation and pays the government fee.
053-5 days
Documents & apostille
You receive the certificate, articles and corporate registers with apostille.
061-3 weeks
Banking
The company is introduced to suitable EMIs or banks and supported through account opening.
Quick facts
Legal formIC
Min. capitalNo minimum
Government feeFrom ~$300/year
Standard processing1-2 business days
Public registersNone
Annual accountsNot filed
Document languagesEnglish · Chinese
A clean application submitted through the licensed trustee company can typically be completed within one business day.
On the ground
On the ground in Samoa.
Prifinance - Samoa
Apia
Apia, Samoa
01
Pacific specialists
Your setup is run by a team that files Pacific structures - from the Marshalls to Vanuatu - every month.
02
Trustee company included
A SIFA-licensed trustee company and registered office keep the IC in good standing while you operate remotely.
03
Asia-facing experience
Chinese-language documentation and Asia-based banking routes handled natively by our team.
04
Also in Hong Kong, London, Dubai & more
A network of offices across Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. One team for your whole international structure.
We also have offices in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation 2026
0% for International Companies.
A Samoan International Company pays no local tax on worldwide income - no corporate income tax, capital gains tax, withholding or stamp duty. The main recurring government cost is the fixed annual SIFA fee, while public accounts and tax filings are not required.
Corporate income tax - 0%
Worldwide profits of an IC sit outside Samoan taxation, with no tax filings.
No additional taxes
No capital gains tax, withholding on dividends or interest, or stamp duty on share transfers.
Flat annual fee
From approximately $300 per year, regardless of turnover or profit.
EU listing
Samoa is on the EU’s non-cooperative list, so EU-facing flows may face defensive measures and additional scrutiny.
Levies in 2026
Corporate income tax - IC0%
Capital gains taxNone
Withholding taxNone
Stamp dutyNone
Annual government feeFrom ~$300
EU list statusListed - assessed case by case
The fixed annual SIFA fee is payable every year, including for dormant companies, and keeps the entity in good standing.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
Corporate services advisor
Advises clients on company formation, VAT and ongoing compliance, coordinating each step of the setup across the EU.
Alex Danila
Company formation specialist
Your day-to-day contact - coordinates incorporation, documents and the bank introduction, from the first call through to launch.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Watch: opening a company in Samoa with Prifinance
The Pacific registry Asia trusts, structured with open eyes - full support for your Samoan IC, start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
Common questions about company registration in Samoa.
Samoa or American Samoa - which jurisdiction is this?+
This is the independent State of Samoa - the sovereign Polynesian country with its own international finance authority. American Samoa is a separate US territory and does not offer this corporate regime.
Can I open a company in Samoa without visiting?+
Yes. The entire process, from KYC to the SIFA filing, is completed remotely through legal advisers and the licensed trustee company. Original documents are sent by courier after formation.
How much does it cost to open a company in Samoa?+
Turnkey formation starts from $2,000, including government fees and the first year of the trustee company and registered office. Packages with an arranged account start from $3,600.
How long does formation take?+
Clean applications are completed within 1-2 business days, while the apostilled corporate-document set usually follows within a week.
Will the company pay tax in Samoa?+
No. An International Company pays no Samoan tax on worldwide income, files no accounts and pays only the fixed annual fee. Separate tax obligations may still arise where the owners or actual operations are located.
Why are Chinese-language documents important?+
SIFA can issue incorporation documents in Chinese as well as English, and the company name may be registered in Chinese characters. This can reduce friction for structures working with Greater-China banks, suppliers and counterparties.
What does the EU listing mean in practice?+
Samoan companies may face additional tax measures and enhanced scrutiny from EU counterparties because Samoa is on the EU’s non-cooperative list. The impact is generally lower for Asia-Pacific structures, so the relevant payment and ownership flows should be assessed before choosing the jurisdiction.
Are the owners visible in a public register?+
No. Samoa has no public register of shareholders or directors; records are maintained by the licensed trustee company and disclosed only under lawful request.
How does banking work for a Samoan company?+
European banks tend to be more cautious with listed jurisdictions, so operating accounts are commonly opened through Asian and international EMIs offering multi-currency accounts and SWIFT.
Samoa or the Marshall Islands?+
The Marshall Islands offer Delaware-style law, the US dollar and no EU-list issue. Samoa responds with Chinese-language documentation, a strong international-trust framework and lower cost. Asia-facing structures often favour Samoa, while Western-facing structures may find the Marshall Islands more convenient.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
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