Financial Licensing · British Virgin Islands

BVI Investment Manager Licence

The BVI Financial Services Commission licences investment managers and advisers under the Securities and Investment Business Act 2010 — enabling regulated investment management from the BVI.

BVIInvestment ManagerBVI FSCSIBASecuritiesLicence
Overview

BVI as a Fund Management Jurisdiction

The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC) licences investment management and advisory businesses under the Securities and Investment Business Act 2010 (SIBA). BVI-licensed investment managers can manage BVI-domiciled funds and, subject to relevant arrangements, provide services to non-BVI funds.

Marensa Advisory advises on BVI FSC investment manager licence applications — covering licensing requirements, compliance programme design, and ongoing regulatory support for BVI-based fund management operations.

Apply for a BVI Investment Manager Licence
What We Cover
  • Investment Manager licence application under SIBA 2010
  • Approved Manager or full Investment Manager designation
  • Business plan and compliance programme
  • AML/CFT policies and procedures
  • BVI resident director/compliance officer requirements
  • BVI FSC application filing and fee payment
  • Approved person applications for key staff
  • Annual BVI FSC return and compliance certificate
Key Considerations

BVI Investment Manager Licence — Key Points

The BVI FSC offers two categories of investment manager authorisation depending on assets under management.

Approved Manager
For investment managers with AUM under USD 400 million (private funds) or USD 1 billion (professional investor funds). Lighter requirements and faster approval — typically 4–6 weeks.
Full Investment Manager Licence
For investment managers above Approved Manager thresholds or managing public funds. Full licensing process with BVI FSC review of business plan, financials, and key person fit and propriety.
SIBA Regulation
The Securities and Investment Business Act 2010 is the primary legislation governing investment business in the BVI. It covers securities dealing, investment management, investment advice, and fund administration.
AML/CFT Compliance
BVI investment managers must maintain AML/CFT policies compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and FATF standards — including customer due diligence, suspicious transaction reporting, and staff training.
Resident Requirements
BVI FSC-licensed entities typically require at least one BVI-resident director and, depending on the licence type, a resident compliance officer or approved manager in place.
Annual Compliance
Licensed investment managers must file annual returns with BVI FSC, pay annual licence fees, and maintain compliance programme currency.
Our Process

How We Work

01
Pre-Application Assessment
We assess whether Approved Manager or full Investment Manager licence best fits your AUM and fund strategy.
02
Documentation
We prepare the full application package — business plan, compliance programme, AML manual, and key person details.
03
BVI FSC Filing
We manage the BVI FSC application filing and fee payment.
04
Regulatory Engagement
We liaise with BVI FSC during review and address any queries raised.
05
Post-Licence Compliance
We establish annual return processes, compliance certificate preparation, and ongoing AML/CFT programme maintenance.
Why Marensa

BVI. Regulated. Efficient.

A BVI FSC investment manager licence provides a credible regulatory foundation for managing BVI-domiciled funds — with a licensing process that is faster and less costly than many G20 jurisdictions.

Marensa Advisory advises on BVI FSC licensing as part of an integrated fund management setup — combining BVI licencing with Cayman or BVI fund domiciliation and UAE or Singapore operating bases.

Start the Conversation
SIBA 2010
Legislation
USD 400M
Approved Manager Threshold
BVI FSC
Regulator
4-6 Weeks
Approval Time
FAQ

Common Questions

What is the difference between Approved Manager and full Investment Manager? +

Approved Manager is for smaller fund managers (under USD 400M for private funds) and has lighter requirements and faster approval. Full Investment Manager licence applies to larger managers and public fund managers.

Can a BVI investment manager manage non-BVI funds? +

A BVI-licensed investment manager can provide investment management services to non-BVI funds — subject to any licensing requirements in the fund's jurisdiction and applicable regulatory permissions.

Does BVI require physical presence for investment manager licence holders? +

BVI FSC-licensed entities typically require at least one BVI-resident director. The extent of physical operations required depends on the licence type and economic substance considerations.

What AML obligations apply to BVI investment managers? +

BVI investment managers must maintain AML/CFT programmes compliant with BVI Anti-Money Laundering Regulations — including customer due diligence, beneficial owner verification, suspicious transaction reporting, and annual AML officer report.

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