15 October 2025

Set Up in Anjouan: Lean Incorporation, Banking, and Compliance

Need a clean, lightweight international vehicle without months of paperwork? Anjouan (part of the Comoros) offers a straightforward route when the goal is fast incorporation, predictable upkeep, and bank-ready documentation. This decision-first primer shows what to prepare, how to file without friction, and how to keep partners comfortable as you grow. If you want a start-to-finish, done-for-you route, see Anjouan company formation for a structured service overview.

LegalBison supports founders with international company setup, banking coordination, and ongoing compliance, combining legal precision with practical execution so teams can focus on growth. Learn more at legalbison.com.

At a Glance (TL;DR)

• Best for: holding/IP vehicles, B2B services, SaaS/licensing, and cross-border operators that value speed and predictable maintenance.
• Momentum keys: one-batch KYC, a simple business narrative, fast replies to clarifications, and a tidy evidence pack for banks/PSPs.
• Banking reality: many teams start with a fintech-friendly EMI/PSP, then add a traditional bank for redundancy and currencies.
• Governance hygiene: keep registers current, maintain a resolutions log, and calendar renewals from day one.

Decision Checklist (Before You File)

• Purpose: holding vs operating. Holding/IP structures can keep day-to-day light but still need clean records.
• Customers & corridors: who you sell to, where funds move, core currencies, and expected monthly volumes.
• Custody of funds: will the company ever hold client money or digital assets? If yes, plan controls and vendor due diligence.
• Counterparty expectations: what banks and partners will want to see (segregation of funds, KYC standards, basic monitoring if relevant).
• Provider fit: shortlist EMIs/banks that explicitly support your industry and geographies to avoid re-onboarding later.

What You’ll Prepare (Zero-Drama Document Pack)

• IDs & proof of address for directors, shareholders, and UBOs (clear passport + recent utility/bank statement).
• Short CVs/backgrounds for controllers and officers.
• 2–3 name options in case the first choice isn’t available.
• Business summary (what you sell, customer geographies, top counterparties, expected volumes).
• KYC/AML forms as requested by the registered agent.

Time-saver: most delays come from expired IDs, address mismatches, and low-quality scans. Triple-check dates and readability before you send anything.

How Incorporation Actually Flows

1. Scope & structure: confirm the model (holding/operating), directors/shareholding, and a preferred name.
2. KYC in one batch: submit all IDs, addresses, CVs, and UBO details together to avoid back-and-forth.
3. Drafting & filing: your agent prepares constitutional documents and lodges them with the registry.
4. Company issued: you receive the certificate of incorporation and corporate pack.
5. Banking/PSP setup: open an operational account (often EMI/PSP first for speed; add a bank for redundancy/currencies).
6. Post-incorporation: set invoicing, bookkeeping cadence, and your renewal/compliance calendar.

Bank-Ready Posture (What Providers Want to See)

• Simple, consistent activity narrative across website, applications, and contracts. Keep buzzwords out; be specific.
• UBO transparency with clean ID/address evidence and a clear ownership chart.
• Counterparties & volumes: top vendors/customers, expected flows by corridor, and FX pairs you’ll actually use.
• Financial hygiene: basic P&L/cash forecasts; invoices and agreements stored in a tidy data room.
• Compliance posture (if handling flows): KYC standards, sanctions screening, and simple monitoring with case notes.

If you won’t hold client funds or assets, state that clearly in customer agreements and reflect it in product flows.

Accounting, Records, and Renewals

• Underlying records: keep invoices, bank statements, contracts, and ledgers that explain transactions and financial position.
• Where stored: records can be kept outside Anjouan/Comoros; let the agent know where and keep access ready.
• Annual rhythm: calendar government/agent fees, any statutory submissions, and a quick governance review.
• Board hygiene: maintain a resolutions register (banking, officer appointments, key contracts, policy approvals).

Substance & Perception (Keep It Credible)

Counterparties increasingly check whether corporate paperwork matches operational reality. Practical steps:

• Document decision-making: minutes/resolutions for significant actions—especially anything related to banking or major contracts.
• Align contracts with the story: names, addresses, scope, and payment terms should match across all documents and forms.
• Operational footprint: show tools, vendors, and processes that support daily operations (even if lean).

When Your Model Touches Funds or Digital Assets

If you plan to hold client money or digital assets, counterparties will expect more detail—even at small scale. Keep it simple and real:

• KYC/KYB basics: verify retail users; for business clients, collect company docs and UBO details; risk-rate and refresh periodically.
• Sanctions screening: at onboarding and ongoing—for users, key vendors, and counterparties.
• Monitoring lite: thresholds and a simple alert/escalation log (mules, mixers, sanctioned exposure).
• Segregation: if holding assets, separate client and corporate funds; do reconciliations with an approval trail.
• Disclosures: clear T&Cs, fee schedule, and complaints handling.

Cost Buckets (Budget Without Surprises)

• Formation: government + agent fees, drafting, and any expedite costs.
• Banking/PSP: onboarding (if charged), cards, FX margins, and monthly fees.
• Ongoing compliance & bookkeeping: renewals, recordkeeping, and basic accounting support.

Chasing the absolute lowest headline number usually backfires. Under-budgeting leads to skipped steps and later remediation.

Operator Playbook (Keep Ops Quiet and Clean)

• Data room: Corporate, Banking, Contracts, Accounting, Compliance—dated folders with read-only sharing for stakeholders.
• Monthly close checklist: reconciliations, cash note, AR/AP status, and a brief management summary.
• Access control: limit who can move money; dual approvals for sensitive actions; audit trails for changes.
• Bank pack on hand: one-pager with model, geographies, counterparties, volumes, and contacts—kept up to date.

Alternatives Worth a Look

Depending on your goals, compare Anjouan with BVI or Seychelles for holding/IP, and with Panama or Costa Rica for operating entities closer to the Americas. The real differences show up in perception, reporting style, and banking access. If you expect investor diligence or enterprise partners, pick jurisdictions your counterparties already recognize—sales cycles are shorter.

FAQ

Do I need to travel to Anjouan?
Usually not. With verified documents and a responsive agent, incorporation is typically handled remotely.

How fast can this go?
Clean files move quickly. The longest part is often gathering complete KYC and clearing small clarifications.

Can I open a bank account?
It depends on your model, geographies, and risk profile. Many teams start with an EMI/PSP and add a bank later for redundancy and currencies.

What ongoing work should I plan?
Annual renewals, tidy books, up-to-date registers, and quick responses to agent or provider questions.

Can this host regulated activity?
It can host the corporate entity, but any regulated activity in your target markets requires the appropriate licenses there.