Corporate Expansion in Latin America: Comprehensive Business Services with Full Compliance

Latin America has emerged as a key region for global business expansion. Rich in natural resources, home to growing middle-class populations, and strategically positioned between North America and emerging Pacific and Atlantic trade corridors, countries like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina offer immense commercial potential.

However, entering these markets requires more than ambition — it demands a deep understanding of local regulations, proactive compliance management, and operational readiness. Each jurisdiction has its own company laws, tax systems, foreign investment rules, and banking standards.

Our full-suite Latin American corporate service offering is designed to support foreign companies through the entire market entry and post-establishment journey, focusing on regulatory compliance, transparency, and long-term operability.

Company Registration: Legal Entity Setup Compliant with Local Laws

Establishing a company in Latin America is the first step toward legal operation. The most common entity types include:

• A. (Sociedad Anónima) – A stock corporatio
• R.L. or Ltda. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) – A limited liability company
• Branch or Representative Office – Restricted operational scope

We support you with:

• Company name clearance and reservation
• Drafting and legalization of Articles of Incorporation
• Share structure and board appointment setup
• Notarization and submission to the Commercial Registry or relevant local authority
• Language-certified translations (where required)

Compliance Note:
Countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Chile require all incorporation documents to be prepared or legalized in Spanish, with foreign-issued documents needing apostilles or consular legalization, depending on the country of origin. Failing to comply results in rejections or delays.

Corporate Tax Identification Number (TIN) / Registro Fiscal

A corporate tax identification number is mandatory for issuing invoices, signing contracts, opening bank accounts, and complying with VAT, withholding tax, and payroll requirements. Different countries use different codes:

Mexico: RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes)

Brazil: CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica)

Argentina: CUIT (Clave Única de Identificación Tributaria)

Chile: RUT (Rol Único Tributario)

We handle:

• Tax office registration
• Liaison with SAT, Receita Federal, AFIP, DIAN, or SII (as applicable)
• Selection of correct tax regime and fiscal obligations
• Initial monthly tax filings where required during early stage

Company Registered Address: Legal and Taxable Presence

All Latin American companies must maintain a local registered office — a physical or virtual address for government correspondence and statutory purposes.

Our services include:

• Commercial-grade registered addresses in major cities
• Physical address options for regulated sectors or specific tax regimes
• Lease agreements or virtual address agreements recognized by tax authorities
• Mail and inspection handling support

Compliance Note:
Tax authorities in countries like Colombia and Brazil may physically verify the registered address during or after incorporation. If deemed a “non-functional” address, the company can be classified as inactive or non-compliant, risking penalties.

Nominee Legal Representative (Nominee Director / Legal Agent)

Several Latin American jurisdictions require a resident legal representative to act on behalf of the company for legal and tax purposes.

We offer:

• Professional nominee legal representative services for compliance
• Appointment through Power of Attorney (POA) and notarized agreements
• Clear separation of control and fiduciary duties (no involvement in company management unless required)
• Support for temporary or long-term nominee engagement

Foreign Shareholder Registration: Proper Documentation and Reporting

Foreign individuals or corporations investing in Latin American companies must undergo additional registration steps, including:

• Passport copies or incorporation certificates
• Proof of address
• Apostilled and translated documents (as applicable)
• Identification codes for shareholders (e.g., NIE/NIT/CURP depending on country)
• We ensure:
• Collection, verification, and submission of foreign investor data
• Legalization and certified translation of required documents
• Reporting to foreign investment registries or central banks (where applicable, e.g., Brazil’s RDE-IED)

Compliance Note:
Foreign investment controls exist in many jurisdictions, requiring upfront or periodic disclosures. In Argentina and Brazil, incorrect reporting can result in blocked dividend payments, fines, or investigation under foreign exchange laws.

Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Disclosure: Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Most Latin American countries now have mandatory UBO disclosure regulations under AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering / Counter Financing of Terrorism) frameworks. UBOs are individuals who own or control the company, directly or indirectly.

We support:

• Identification of beneficial owners (usually 10–25% ownership threshold)
• Preparation and submission of UBO declaration forms
• Updates to UBO registers in case of shareholder changes
• Ongoing monitoring and record-keeping for compliance

Compliance Note:
Jurisdictions like Mexico, Colombia, and Peru impose severe penalties for failure to disclose or update UBO information, including fines and criminal sanctions. Our service ensures your company complies fully with evolving AML laws.

Bank Account Opening: Corporate Banking with Compliance Readiness

Opening a corporate bank account in Latin America can be complex due to tightening financial regulations and anti-fraud protocols.

We assist with:

• Preparing and submitting corporate banking applications
• Coordination with major banks (Santander, Itaú, BBVA, Scotiabank, etc.)
• Gathering KYC documents from shareholders, directors, and UBOs
• Support for in-person or remote account openings depending on bank policy
• Ensuring compliance with foreign currency and tax reporting rules (e.g., Argentina’s Central Bank controls)

Compliance Note:
Latin American banks require full UBO transparency, source of funds declarations, and in some cases, in-country visits by the legal representative or shareholder. We pre-screen documentation and prepare your file to avoid rejections.

Why Choose Us for Your Latin American Expansion?

• One-stop service across all major LATAM countries
• Compliance-first approach, minimizing legal and tax risks
• Multilingual experts (English, Spanish, Portuguese)
• Deep experience with cross-border structures and multinational client
• On-ground support and access to local professionals (lawyers, accountants, notaries)

Final Thought

Latin America offers vast business potential — but only to companies prepared to comply with its complex regulatory frameworks. Whether you are forming a new subsidiary, onboarding foreign shareholders, or opening your first Latin American bank account, our team ensures every step is legal, efficient, and transparent.

Contact us today to begin your expansion — the compliant way.