Belize International Foundations are established under the International Foundations Act Chapter 24:02

The name shall end with the word “Foundation” or any of its abbreviations, “Found.” Or “Fdn”. I can be in any language which uses Roman script.

The name cannot be geographical in nature, unless it has a second meaning. 

Prohibited names:

• Same as or substantially similar to a name of any existing or previously existing foundation
• Containing the words “Building Society”, “Chamber of Commerce”, “Chartered”, “Cooperative”, “Imperial”, “Municipal”, “Royal”, or a word conveying a similar meaning
• Suggesting the patronage of Her Majesty or that of a member of the Royal Family
• Suggesting a connection with the Government of Belize or a department, agency, authority or branch thereof, any political party or any professional association recognized by the laws of Belize
• Indecent, offensive or in the opinion of the Registrar, objectionable
• Containing the words “Assurance”, ““Bank”, Brokerage”, “Credit Union”, “Education”, “Fiduciary”, “Financial”, “Foreign Exchange”, “Forex”, “Fund”, “Investment Management”, “Insurance”, “Lending”, “Securities”, “Trust”, or “University”

The Belize International foundation can be for charitable or non- charitable purposes.

The most common purposes:

Holding – to hold shares and interest in a private and/or public company, hold patents, collect royalties, hold trademarks and business name rights, etc.

Asset protection – to hold assets of individuals and legal entities providing protection against creditors claims, family members claims, over taxation, local political instability, etc.

Financial – invest in different financial instruments such as bonds, mutual funds, etc.
Our company drafts the Foundation Charter and Private Document for each foundation in accordance with the purposes of the foundation that our client specifies.

Each Belize foundation has to have a registered office address and agent in Belize, who is licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Commission.

The principal office address of the foundation may be in any country.

Our annual fees include a Belize registered office address and registered agent for the first year.

A resident of any country except Belize, being an individual or legal entity may create a Belize International Foundation. Such person is called the Founder.

A minimum of one founder is required. Founders may be also a member of the Foundation Council or sole beneficiary or both. A founder cannot serve as the protector of the Foundation; however a protector is not required.

A & P Intertrust Corporation is able to provide a nominee founder for privacy protection and speeding up the process of establishing the foundation.

Each Belize International Foundation should have a Foundation Council, which is responsible for carrying out the purposes of the foundation.

The minimum number of members of the Foundation Council should not be less than 1 natural person or legal entity. Residents of any country may be appointed as a council member.

At least one member of an international foundation shall be a resident of Belize at all times, the registered agent will be appointed this position to comply with the required.

If you need nominee members of the Foundation Council, our company provides such services.

A member of the foundation council cannot be a beneficiary of the foundation.

This position is optional. A protector may be appointed by the founder.

A resident of any country individual or legal entity may be appointed as a protector.

A member of a foundation may not be a protector of the foundation.

A beneficiary is a person who is entitled to benefit under the foundation charter or by-laws.

A beneficiary does not need to be appointed. However if you wish to appoint a beneficiary you should indicate who you would like to be the beneficiaries of your private foundation. We will prepare a private document indicating the names of the beneficiaries of your foundation.

The beneficiary cannot be appointed as a foundation council member.

There is no minimum capital requirement for foundations.

Each Belize International Foundation must pay the annual renewal fee starting from the second year. Our annual fees are listed in the Fee Schedule.

Founder’s names and addresses as these are listed in the Foundation Charter.
Foundation Council names and addresses of are also included in the Foundation Charter.

The Foundation Charter is filed with the Public Registry Office and available to the public.

Protector and beneficiaries are appointed by the foundation Private Document which is not filed with the Public Registry.

Our company assists clients with protection of their privacy by offering nominee founder and members of the Foundation Council.

There are no statutory requirements of audits for Belize International Foundations. However accounting records are to be kept.

Annual meetings are not required.

Establishment of a Belize International Foundation takes 4 to 5 business days. Preparation of all internal documents takes an additional 2 to 3 business days.

Our company does not offer shelf Belize International Foundations due to these are creating for client’s particular needs.

Our company offers Belize mail forwarding services and other tailored office services.