HOW TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS AND WORK ON ANGUILLA

For the past two years, Anguilla has been experiencing an unprecedented economic upsurge mainly due to a demand for the Anguillian tourism product.  The upsurge which is directly related to the construction of tourism based products such as luxury villas and hotels and the consequent increase in visitors to the island has attracted skilled service providers from different countries who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their services to this expanding market.  This article focuses on these service providers who wish to be self-employed and to establish their own businesses in Anguilla. 

Any non- Anguillian person interested in establishing a business on Anguilla has to be armed with a business licence and a work permit from the Government of Anguilla.  The process of applying for a business licence must be completed first.  This is necessary because the Government of Anguilla has to approve any person who wishes to start a business on the island as well as approve the type of business to be established.

There is a prescribed application form which one must complete and submit to the Ministry of Finance.  The Applicant must speak to the form of the business, that is whether the applicant intends to operate as a sole proprietor, within a partnership or as a company.  If the business is incorporated, the applicant must give details as to the percentage of shares held by belongers and non-belongers of Anguilla as well as the names of the officers of the Company and the names and nationalities of the shareholders.  The applicant must also give a brief personal history of his or herself and brief details of the company including the number of persons who will be employed by the company.  Finally, the applicant must specify the source of finances for the business.

For non-Anguillians, two character references must be provided as well a statement of financial ability and a police record from the applicant’s country of nationality.  It is also customary to do a business plan in support of the application, however this is dependent on the type of business being established.

If the application for a business licence is granted, there is a fee which must be paid to the Treasury (which amount is dependent on the profession of the Applicant) before the business licence is issued.

Upon issuance of the business licence, the Applicant may then apply for a self-employed work permit to work on Anguilla.

There is a prescribed form which must be completed which will require one to give his personal details and details of his occupation.  One must also state his academic and professional qualifications as well as give a brief statement referring to any economic benefits which may be derived from the applicant being granted a work permit.  In addition to the completed work permit application form, the Applicant must submit the following documents in support of his work permit application:

•A birth certificate or passport;
•Police record covering the last 10 years;
•Certified certificates as evidence of academic or professional
•qualifications;
•A recent medical examination report – there is a form which
•theapplicant’s medical doctor is required to complete after
•examination of the applicant;
•Three identical passport-sized photographs;
•A detailed business plan showing plans for the first 3-5 years of the
•business;
•Three character references from persons in positions of
•responsibility(eg. doctors, ministers of religion, attorneys) who have
•known the applicant for at least 3 years;
•Business licence
•A tax clearance form from the Government of Anguilla

Upon submission of these documents and a grant of a work permit, an individual can proceed to offer their services to members of the Anguillian public.

Lisa M Bass is an Attorney-at-Law on Anguilla. She invites any questions which you may have in respect of this article and may be contacted at Summit Chambers, Caribbean Commercial Centre, The Valley, Anguilla at Telephone No: (264)497-5905;
Fax No: (264) 497-3057
Email: summitchambers@anguillanet.com