This is part of a series of guides in which we examine areas of Guernsey law that frequently arise in practice. To view other guides in the series, click here.
Just like a person, a company can change its nationality.
In Guernsey, the process by which a company changes its nationality or place of incorporation is called a migration. It is also commonly referred to as a continuation or redomiciliation.
This guide looks at the key things you need to know about the process for a foreign company to continue its existence as a Guernsey company. This guide assumes that the foreign company is an unregulated, non-cellular company limited by shares.
Words in bold text are defined at the end of this guide.
Eligibility
The Law allows a foreign company to continue as a Guernsey company if:
- the laws of its original jurisdiction allow it to do so;
- it is not being wound up or in liquidation and its assets have not been declared en désastre;
- it is not insolvent;
- no receiver, manager or administrator has been appointed in relation to any of its assets;
- there is no compromise or arrangement in force between it and any creditor;
- there is no application before a court for its winding up or liquidation, to have it declared insolvent or its assets declared en désastre, to appoint any receiver, manager or administrator or to approve any compromise or arrangement; and
- immediately after registration as a Guernsey company it will be able to satisfy the solvency test under the Law.
Procedure
Original jurisdiction
The foreign company must take any steps necessary for it to migrate to Guernsey under the laws of its original jurisdiction. These steps commonly include:
- the foreign company passing director and/or shareholder resolutions to approve it:
- migrating to Guernsey;
- adopting M&A that comply with the Law;
- appointing a Guernsey corporate services provider and approving a registered office address in Guernsey; and
- changing its name if necessary.
- the foreign company notifying its creditors of the proposed migration;
- providing a legal opinion or director's certificate to the regulator in the original jurisdiction confirming for example:
- that Guernsey law allows the migration; and
- that the foreign company will continue to own its assets and be subject to its liabilities after the migration takes place.
Guernsey
For the purposes of the Law, the procedure for a foreign company to migrate to Guernsey is as follows.
- Reserve a name which must end in:
- Limited, with limited liability, Ltd, Avec responsabilité limitée or ARL.
- File with the Guernsey Registry:
- an application form which includes (among other things) the foreign company's Guernsey registered office address and information about the foreign company's current directors and proposed new directors, proposed resident agent and the purpose of the foreign company;
- a certified copy of the foreign company's foreign constitution (translated into English if necessary);
- a copy of the foreign company's Guernsey M&A;
- a legal opinion from lawyers in the foreign company's original jurisdiction confirming that:
- it is authorised by the laws of its original jurisdiction to migrate to Guernsey;
- any necessary corporate authorisation for its migration to Guernsey has been given; and
- once registered in Guernsey it will cease to be incorporated in its original jurisdiction.
- a declaration of compliance signed by a director of the foreign company confirming that all the requirements of the relevant part of the Law in respect of the migration have been fulfilled;
- a declaration of the foreign company's beneficial ownership;
- various confirmations in respect of the foreign company (including confirmation that the foreign company will satisfy the solvency test under the Law upon its migration to Guernsey); and
- the application fee (currently £100).
- All applications to the Guernsey Registry must be made by a Guernsey corporate service provider.
- If the foreign company is to be regulated by the GFSC upon its migration into Guernsey then it must also obtain written consent from the GFSC and provide a copy of this to the Guernsey Registry.
- If the Guernsey Registry is satisfied that the application complies will the Law, it will:
- approve the application;
- register the application documents; and
- issue a certificate of registration and allocate a registration number.
Once the Guernsey Registry issues a certificate of registration, the foreign company becomes a company registered under the Law.
Timing
Once the application is filed with the Guernsey Registry, if it is in order it is normally approved by the Guernsey Registry within five working days.
The overall timing of the migration process is driven by the requirements of the foreign company's original jurisdiction. As a general guide, it typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete a migration to Guernsey.
Effect of continuance
The foreign company's continuance, as a company incorporated under the Law, does not affect its continuity as a body corporate or its assets, rights, obligations or liabilities.
Accordingly, once a foreign company is incorporated under the Law, it continues to:
- own all property and rights which it owned;
- be subject to all criminal and civil liabilities, and all contracts, debts and other obligations, to which it was subject; and
- be subject to, or entitled to pursue, all actions and other legal proceedings in which it was involved immediately before it was registered under the Law.
Solvency test
The solvency test mentioned under Eligibility and Procedure is as follows.
Having regard to the most recent accounts of the foreign company and made full inquiry into its affairs, each director and proposed new director reasonably believes:
- that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they become due; and
- that the value of the foreign company's assets is greater than the value of its liabilities; and
- if the application to migrate to Guernsey is granted, that the foreign company will satisfy the above two points upon the issue of its certificate of registration.
Offence
Under the Law, it is an offence for a person to make a declaration of compliance to the Guernsey Registry containing any information in connection with a migration which is false, misleading or deceptive in a material respect.
If a person commits such offence, on conviction, the person is liable to a fine.
Terms used
foreign company – a body corporate incorporated in a jurisdiction outside Guernsey
GFSC – the Guernsey Financial Services Commission
Law – The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008
M&A – memorandum and articles of incorporation
original jurisdiction – the foreign jurisdiction in which a foreign company is incorporated before its migration to Guernsey
About Collas Crill
We are a leading offshore law firm. We are easy to do business with and give practical advice to overcome tough challenges. Through our network of offices, we practise British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey law.
About this guide
This guide gives a general overview of this topic. It is not legal advice and you may not rely on it. If you would like legal advice on this topic, please get in touch with one of the authors or your usual Collas Crill contacts.
