After setting up companies across Europe and Asia, and making plenty of expensive mistakes along the way, we decided to build something better.
We started in Europe, building companies and learning the ropes of incorporation, banking, and compliance. Then came Asia, where we lived and worked for years, setting up businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and beyond.
Each time, we started from zero, spending weeks navigating government websites, reading conflicting forum advice, and talking to service providers who always seemed to recommend their most expensive package.
We made mistakes. Chose the wrong bank and spent months fixing it. Paid for services we didn't need. Missed opportunities simply because nobody told us they existed.
At some point, we realized our experience, the wins and the failures, could actually help others avoid the same pitfalls.
So we started documenting everything: company formation, business banking, accounting, virtual offices, payment solutions, visas. The full journey of an entrepreneur setting up in a new country.
This guide is the result. It's not theory, it's what we learned the hard way, organized in one place so you don't have to.
If you've tried researching international business setup, you've probably noticed:
Information is everywhere and nowhere
Scattered across government sites, Reddit threads, and provider websites. Good luck piecing together the full picture.
Most "guides" are sales pitches in disguise
Written by service providers whose advice conveniently points to their own solutions. Funny how that works.
Outdated information leads to expensive mistakes
Regulations change constantly. That blog post from 2019? It might cost you months of delays.
We built this guide around four principles:
Official sources only
Every regulation and requirement comes from government bodies. Links included so you can verify.
Honest comparisons
Providers ranked on merit: pricing, timelines, real user feedback. No hidden partnerships.
Kept up to date
Monthly reviews. When regulations change, so do the guides. Every page shows its last update.
Real experience
Insights from actually doing this, not just researching it. The stuff that only comes from being there.
Comprehensive guides for the jurisdictions and services that matter most:
Countries & Regions
Business Services
Company Formation
Incorporation & structures
Business Banking
Accounts for non-residents
Accounting
Compliance & bookkeeping
Virtual Offices
Addresses & mail handling
Payment Solutions
Merchant & gateways
Professional Visas
Work & entrepreneur visas
If you're a remote entrepreneur building a location-independent business and trying to figure out the best structure, this is for you.
If you're a founder scaling internationally and exploring legitimate ways to optimize your setup, this is for you.
If you're an expat relocating and need to establish your business in a new country without the usual confusion, this is for you.
Basically, if you've ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of international business setup and wished someone would just tell you how it actually works, welcome.
Full transparency. If we earn a commission from a recommendation, you'll know.
Editorial independence. Partnerships never influence rankings or recommendations.
Verified information. Every claim backed by official sources with links provided.
Practical focus. What you need to make decisions, not filler content.
Have a question? Found an error? Want to suggest a country or service we should cover? We'd love to hear from you.
Email us at
contact@growacross.comWe read every message and do our best to respond within 48 hours.
Pick a country or explore a specific service. Every guide gives you the complete picture.