Learn about Belize regulations and institutions

The Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) is the regulatory body for investment services companies in Belize. IFSC is also an active member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and shares its core principles, working to eliminate money laundering and regional financial stability under the global financial system. In the futures market supervision and cooperation with many countries.

The tasks of the International Financial Services Center include:

• Promote and develop Belize as an international financial services centre;

• Protect and strengthen Belize's reputation as an offshore financial centre;

• Appropriate supervision and international financial services regulation;

• Formulating policies and advising the Government on and assisting in the regulation of such services:

Collect, archive and disclose reliable and timely information and keep abreast of changes and new trends in the relevant aspects of these services.

Characteristics of regulatory institutions

IFSC is also an active member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and endorses its core principles to eliminate money laundering and promote regional stability in the global financial system. Cooperate on futures market regulation.

The Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) is the regulatory body for investment services companies in Belize.

Regulator profile

IFSC is also an active member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and endorses its core principles to eliminate money laundering and promote regional stability in the global financial system. Cooperate on futures market regulation.

The Belize IFSC has the following license categories

Formation or management of international business companies or other offshore companie. Formation or management of international business companies or other offshore companie.

Type II licence: Trust formation and management of offshore trusts and provision of trustee services specializes in the formation and management of offshore trusts and provision of trustee services.

Category 3: Licences for International asset protection and management services.

The fourth type of license: Money transmission services license.

The fifth type of license: Payment processing services.

Class VI Licence: foreign exchange Dealer Licence to trade in foreign exchange.

Class 7 licence: Trading in financial and commodity-based derivative instruments and other securities (e.g. futures, options,  interest rates, foreign exchange instruments, shares, stock, contracts for differences, etc.) Financial securities dealer license to engage in commodity derivatives trading, And other securities derivatives transactions, including futures, options, interest rates, foreign exchange, equity, contract spreads, etc.

Class 8: Money brokering Licence.

Class 9: Money lending and pawning loan licence.

Class 9: Money exchange license.

Class 10 licence: Safe custody services licence.

Class 11 Licence: Accounting services Licence.

Brokerage, consultancy or advisory services in any of the above services. Brokerage, consultancy or advisory services in any of the above services.

Belize IFS regulatory license requirements

(1) Information disclosure requirements

On a monthly basis, the Company will provide the IFSC with information regarding (i) the Company's capital, (ii) the income statement and (iii) the number, volume and value of all transactions executed.

Submit standardized reports, IFSCREP1(quarterly) and IFSCREP2(annual).

• Provide external audit reports.

(2) Requirements of directors and shareholders:

• The board must have a local director.

• Shareholders of the applicant company must ensure that the company meets the capital requirements of the licence. In a bank account opened in Belize, the license capital deposit must be paid in full and deposited into the bank account, and guarantee that the company can meet the license capital deposit requirements for the duration of the license. Please see below for the minimum capital payable.

• The directors/shareholders of the applicant company shall have appropriate knowledge, qualifications and experience of the business in which the Company intends to continue.

(c) Documents required for licence application: During the licence application, the following company information is required, including:

• Business plan, financial forecast sheet for the next 5 years, understanding customer processes and money laundering prevention policies, customer transaction contracts.

• Bank confirmation that the legal capital margin has been paid.

• Pay the relevant Government application fee licence processing fee as described below.