Seychelles · FSA · Regulated offshore
Seychelles forex licence (FSA Securities Dealer)
One of the most used broker jurisdictions, now with tighter substance after the 2024 amendments. Available on request through our partner network.
Updated
Seychelles licenses forex and CFD brokers with a Securities Dealer licence from the Financial Services Authority under the Securities Act 2007, amended in 2024. Since 2025, licensees need a resident director, at least two resident fit-and-proper persons, a local office and higher capital; timelines are typically 3–6 months.
Key facts
| Regulator | Financial Services Authority (FSA) |
|---|---|
| Licence | Securities Dealer Licence |
| Legal basis | Securities Act 2007, as amended by the Securities (Amendment) Act 2024 |
| Entity | Seychelles domestic company (an IBC cannot carry on securities business) |
| Typical timeline | Typically 3–6 months |
| Capital | Yes, set by the regulator by licence category |
| Tax | Seychelles business tax applies; the effective burden depends on structure (confirm with a tax adviser) |
| Recognition | Moderate: widely known by LPs and platform vendors, still viewed as offshore |
| Client markets | International clients; no passporting; restricted markets excluded |
| EU passport | No |
| Our service | On request via partners |
Indicative information for comparison only, reviewed on the date shown. Requirements change and depend on your structure; confirm with the regulator and local counsel before deciding.
Overview
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) issues Securities Dealer licences that cover forex, CFDs and other securities. After the 2024 amendments, Seychelles expects real local presence: resident staff, a resident director and an office.
It remains a popular middle ground between light offshore licences and heavier regimes such as Mauritius or the Bahamas.
Substance and people
- At least two individual directors, one resident in Seychelles
- At least two full-time Seychelles-resident fit-and-proper persons
- Compliance officer and AML compliance officer / MLRO
- Local office
- Licensed securities dealer representatives
Ongoing obligations
- Audited annual financial statements
- Annual compliance certificate
- Periodic returns to the FSA
- AML reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit
- Annual licence fees
Advantages
- Relatively quick
- One licence covers FX, CFDs and other securities
- Widely recognised by liquidity providers and platform vendors
Drawbacks
- 2025 substance and capital increases raise costs
- Still perceived as offshore
- FSA enforcement against dormant licensees
Recent changes
The Securities (Amendment) Act 2024, effective around 1 January 2025, raised minimum capital, added resident-personnel and resident-director rules, and moved licences to a perpetual model with annual fees. Seychelles was removed from the EU tax "state of play" annex in February 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Seychelles IBC hold a securities dealer licence?
No. Securities business requires a Seychelles domestic company.
What changed in 2025?
Higher capital, resident staff and director rules, and a perpetual licence model with annual fees.
How long does it take?
Typically three to six months from a complete application.
Official sources
Primary sources we rely on. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the authority.
- Financial Services Authority Seychelles fsaseychelles.sc
- Securities Act 2007 (consolidated, SeyLII) seylii.org
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