🇻🇬 Registry2 Jan 2025

BVI companies must file registers of members and beneficial ownership with the Registrar

Amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act, gazetted in September 2024, require BVI companies to file a copy of their register of members, nominee shareholder details and beneficial ownership information with the Registrar, through their registered agent and the VIRRGIN system. New companies file at incorporation and changes within 30 days. Existing companies had six months, extended by a further six to January 2026.

The BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2024 (No. 15 of 2024) was gazetted on 26 September 2024 and came into force on 2 January 2025, with new Beneficial Ownership Regulations. Beneficial ownership filing moved from the old BOSS system to the Financial Services Commission's VIRRGIN registry.

What changed

Register of members: companies must file a copy with the Registrar within 30 days of incorporation and file changes within 30 days. Late filing attracts penalties.
Nominee shareholders: companies with nominee shareholders must file the nominator's name and address.
Beneficial ownership: from January 2025, BVI business companies and limited partnerships file beneficial ownership information, for individuals with an interest of 10% or more, with the Registry of Corporate Affairs through VIRRGIN, via their registered agent.
Directors: a new company must appoint its first directors within 15 days of incorporation (previously six months) and file its register of directors.
Good standing: a certificate of good standing now depends on these filings being up to date.
Existing companies had six months from commencement to comply. The Registrar extended this by six months, to January 2026.

Who is affected

Every BVI business company and limited partnership, and their registered agents.

Later developments

Legitimate-interest access to the BVI beneficial ownership register began on 1 April 2026. See our coverage.

What changed

Who is affected

Later developments

Sources