{
  "dataset": "richbay-director-residency",
  "title": "Director residency requirements by country",
  "version": "1.1",
  "licence": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "attribution": "Richbay (richbay.org)",
  "canonical": "https://richbay.org/business/director-residency/",
  "basis_kinds": {
    "statute": "The article was located and quoted in the official legislative text.",
    "registry-guidance": "Read off the registration authority's own published guidance, which is checkable but is not the legislation itself."
  },
  "checked_at": "When the answer was last read against `source` (editorial, not a ledger confirmation). Absent = not re-read since the row was written.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "code": "AR",
      "country": "Argentina",
      "entity": "SA",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Ley 19.550 (Ley General de Sociedades)",
      "article": "art. 256",
      "source": "https://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/25000-29999/25553/texact.htm",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "BE",
      "country": "Belgium",
      "entity": "SRL",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Code des sociétés et des associations",
      "article": "art. 5:70 § 1",
      "source": "https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/loi/2019/03/23/2019A40586/justel",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "CA",
      "country": "Canada",
      "entity": "Inc",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Canada Business Corporations Act",
      "article": "s. 105(3)",
      "source": "https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-44/section-105.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "CN",
      "country": "China",
      "entity": "Co Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Company Law (2023 revision)",
      "article": "art. 178",
      "source": "http://www.npc.gov.cn/c2/c30834/202312/t20231229_433999.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "CO",
      "country": "Colombia",
      "entity": "SAS",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Ley 1258 de 2008",
      "article": "art. 26",
      "source": "https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=34130",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "DK",
      "country": "Denmark",
      "entity": "ApS",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Selskabsloven",
      "article": "§ 112",
      "source": "https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/331",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "EG",
      "country": "Egypt",
      "entity": "LLC",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Law 159 of 1981 (as substituted by Law 4 of 2018)",
      "source": "https://www.investinegypt.gov.eg/Documents/Law%20No.%20159%20of%201981%20promulgating%20the%20Law%20of%20Joint%20Stock%20Companies,%20Limited%20Liability%20Companies%20and%20Limited%20Liability%20Companies.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "DE",
      "country": "Germany",
      "entity": "GmbH",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "GmbH-Gesetz (GmbHG)",
      "article": "§ 6",
      "source": "https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gmbhg/__6.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "GR",
      "country": "Greece",
      "entity": "AE",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Law 4548/2018",
      "article": "art. 83",
      "source": "https://et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek_pdf=20180100104",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "ID",
      "country": "Indonesia",
      "entity": "PT",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "UU 40/2007 (Perseroan Terbatas)",
      "article": "art. 93",
      "source": "https://jdih.kemenkeu.go.id/api/download/fulltext/2007/40TAHUN2007UU.htm",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "IE",
      "country": "Ireland",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Companies Act 2014",
      "article": "s. 137",
      "source": "https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2014/act/38/revised/en/html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "IT",
      "country": "Italy",
      "entity": "SpA",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Codice Civile",
      "article": "art. 2382",
      "source": "https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/atto/serie_generale/caricaArticolo?art.versione=2&art.idGruppo=303&art.flagTipoArticolo=2&art.codiceRedazionale=042U0262&art.idArticolo=2382&art.idSottoArticolo=1&art.idSottoArticolo1=10&art.dataPubblicazioneGazzetta=1942-04-04&art.progressivo=0",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "KW",
      "country": "Kuwait",
      "entity": "WLL",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Companies Law (Law No. 1 of 2016, as amended by Law No. 15 of 2017)",
      "article": "art. 103",
      "source": "https://kdipa.gov.kw/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/E012016.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "MX",
      "country": "Mexico",
      "entity": "SA de CV",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles",
      "article": "art. 151",
      "source": "https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LGSM.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "PL",
      "country": "Poland",
      "entity": "Sp. z o.o.",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Kodeks spółek handlowych",
      "article": "art. 18",
      "source": "https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20000941037/U/D20001037Lj.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "PT",
      "country": "Portugal",
      "entity": "Lda",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Código das Sociedades Comerciais",
      "article": "art. 252(1)",
      "source": "https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1986-34443975",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "QA",
      "country": "Qatar",
      "entity": "WLL",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Commercial Companies Law (Law No. 11 of 2015)",
      "article": "art. 242",
      "source": "https://www.almeezan.qa/LawView.aspx?opt=&LawID=6656&language=ar"
    },
    {
      "code": "SA",
      "country": "Saudi Arabia",
      "entity": "LLC",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Companies Law (Royal Decree M/132 of 1443)",
      "article": "art. 160",
      "source": "https://uqn.gov.sa/details?p=19697",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "SG",
      "country": "Singapore",
      "entity": "Pte Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Companies Act 1967",
      "article": "s. 145(1)",
      "source": "https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CoA1967?ProvIds=pr145-",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "ES",
      "country": "Spain",
      "entity": "SL",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Ley de Sociedades de Capital",
      "article": "art. 213",
      "source": "https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2010-10544",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "SE",
      "country": "Sweden",
      "entity": "AB",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Aktiebolagslagen (2005:551)",
      "article": "ch. 8 § 9",
      "source": "https://data.riksdagen.se/dokument/sfs-2005-551.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "TW",
      "country": "Taiwan",
      "entity": "Co Ltd (TW)",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Company Act",
      "article": "art. 192",
      "source": "https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=J0080001"
    },
    {
      "code": "TR",
      "country": "Turkey",
      "entity": "AŞ",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Turkish Commercial Code (Law 6102, as amended by Law 6335)",
      "article": "art. 359",
      "source": "https://cdn.tbmm.gov.tr/KKBSPublicFile/D23/Y2/T1/KanunMetni/38650b69-c78b-48fe-b960-fe5fb6734047.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "US",
      "country": "United States",
      "entity": "LLC",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "statute",
      "instrument": "Delaware Limited Liability Company Act",
      "article": "§ 18-401",
      "source": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c018/sc04/index.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "AU",
      "country": "Australia",
      "entity": "Pty Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/companies/company-building-blocks/company-officeholders-directors-and-secretaries",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "BR",
      "country": "Brazil",
      "entity": "Ltda",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.gov.br/empresas-e-negocios/pt-br/drei/legislacao/arquivos/legislacoes-federais/Anexoa_IIa_Manuala_dea_Registroa_LTDAa_a_alteradoa_pelaa_INa_69a_ltimaa_verso.pdf"
    },
    {
      "code": "BVI",
      "country": "British Virgin Islands",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.bvifsc.vg/"
    },
    {
      "code": "KY",
      "country": "Cayman Islands",
      "entity": "Exempted Co",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.ciregistry.ky/faqs/",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "CL",
      "country": "Chile",
      "entity": "SpA",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.sii.cl/normativa_legislacion/resoluciones/2025/reso118.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "EE",
      "country": "Estonia",
      "entity": "OÜ",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.emta.ee/en/business-client/registration-business/non-residents-e-residents/e-services-and-communication",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "FI",
      "country": "Finland",
      "entity": "Oy",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.prh.fi/en/companiesandorganisations/ulkomaalaisluvat.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "FR",
      "country": "France",
      "entity": "SAS",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.infogreffe.fr/"
    },
    {
      "code": "HK",
      "country": "Hong Kong",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/faq/local-company/directors-secretary.htm",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "IN",
      "country": "India",
      "entity": "Pvt Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_22_29_00008_201318_1517807327856&sectionId=49078&sectionno=149&orderno=153"
    },
    {
      "code": "IL",
      "country": "Israel",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/legalinfo/info-and-regulation-15/he/files_InformationAndRegulation_15-law_companieslaw.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "JP",
      "country": "Japan",
      "entity": "KK",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/section1/page3.html",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "MY",
      "country": "Malaysia",
      "entity": "Sdn Bhd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.ssm.com.my/Pages/Legal_Framework/GUIDELINES/4.-Guidelines-For-Incorporation-Of-A-Local-Company.pdf",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "NL",
      "country": "Netherlands",
      "entity": "BV",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.kvk.nl/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NZ",
      "country": "New Zealand",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/company-directors/who-can-be-a-director/",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "NO",
      "country": "Norway",
      "entity": "AS",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.brreg.no/en/limited-company/roles-in-a-limited-company/",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "PH",
      "country": "Philippines",
      "entity": "Inc",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.sec.gov.ph/revised-corporation-code-2/revised-corporation-code/"
    },
    {
      "code": "ZA",
      "country": "South Africa",
      "entity": "(Pty) Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.cipc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Directors-Amendment-Step-by-Step-Automated-Appoint-Foreigner.pdf"
    },
    {
      "code": "KR",
      "country": "South Korea",
      "entity": "Co Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.investkorea.org/ik-en/cntnts/i-351/web.do"
    },
    {
      "code": "CH",
      "country": "Switzerland",
      "entity": "GmbH",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.kmu.admin.ch/en/legal-form-limited-liability-company",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "AE",
      "country": "United Arab Emirates",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.dmcc.ae/"
    },
    {
      "code": "GB",
      "country": "United Kingdom",
      "entity": "Ltd",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": true,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/appoint-directors-and-company-secretaries",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "code": "VN",
      "country": "Vietnam",
      "entity": "LLC",
      "nonResidentSoleDirector": false,
      "basisKind": "registry-guidance",
      "source": "https://dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn/en/News/615/4461/faq-on-corporate-governance-part-2.aspx",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-14"
    }
  ]
}