Belize’s Financial Services Commission (Nominee Shareholders and Directors) Regulations, enacted in December 2025, were introduced to enhance transparency and ensure alignment with international standards concerning nominee services.
Licensing of Nominee Services
Under the new framework, nominee services are now classified as a licensed activity and may only be provided by:
- Registered agents authorized by the Belize Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”) to offer nominee director and shareholder services;
- An individual nominee who meets with all the following requirements:
- is appointed directly by the Beneficial Owner
- acts only for one (1) company; and
- is a resident of Belize
Reporting Obligations
Registered Agents are required to comply with increased reporting obligations as follows:
- Mandatory disclosure of all nominee arrangements to the FSC
- Submission of a formal declaration to the FSC identifying all companies operating under nominee arrangements and confirming their compliance with the new requirements.
The Regulations provide for the following strict penalties:
- US$10,000.00 for provision of nominee services without authorization
- US$5,000.00 failure to assess nominee arrangements
- US$5,000.00 for determined non-disclosure
Next Steps
Transitional Rules (Registered Agents): Existing registered agents must report all nominee relationships and company compliance status to the FSC within six months (by the 16th of June 2026) of the regulations’ commencement.
Client Considerations: In light of the above, clients should determine the appropriate course of action and may either:
- Continue the company in a jurisdiction where the provision of nominee services remains permissible under the applicable regulatory framework, ensuring that any continuation is completed by the 15th of May 2026; or
- Transition away from nominee arrangements by appointing a director and/or shareholder who does not act in a nominee capacity.
The content of this article is valid as at the date of its publication and provides only general guidance. It does not constitute legal advice. We recommend seeking professional advice before acting on any information.
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