Key takeaways
- Onshore licences give market access and recognition; offshore licences give speed and flexibility.
- Offshore licences cannot be used to market to the EU, UK or US.
- Offshore does not mean unregulated; quality varies widely.
- Many groups hold one of each.
Side by side
| Onshore (tier-1) | Regulated offshore | Light offshore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | Cyprus, UAE, South Africa | Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahamas, BVI | Comoros (Mwali, Anjouan) |
| Market access | Home market (EEA via passport for Cyprus) | International clients outside restricted markets | Limited |
| Time | Many months | Months | Weeks |
| Substance | Heavy | Moderate | None |
| Recognition | Highest | Good | Limited |
Why many groups hold both
A common structure pairs an onshore entity for restricted markets with an offshore entity for international clients, each with its own licence, website and client terms. See adding a second licence.