I work abroad and move around a lot, but would like to choose an offshore base for investment with a view to possibly working and retiring there at some point in the future. How do I decide on a jurisdiction?

Choosing a jurisdiction that you would be happy to invest, bank, reside and work in, and possibly retire to means taking into account a lot of factors, and you will need to do your homework. However, the following information may help you to decide which jurisdictions interest you initially. First of all, the following questions must be asked of any potential investment or banking base:

1) Is the jurisdiction politically and economically stable?
2) Is the tax regime benign for investments?
3) Are there any changes in prospect which may impact on your investment/savings either now, or in the future?
4) Are the professional support services up to a good standard?
5) Is there a good communications network in place?
6) Is the geographical location convenient for you during your expatriation, and will it still be so when you return home, or move on to a different country? If you are expatriated to Australia, for example, you will have no problems dealing with an organisation based in Hong Kong, but tremendous problems accessing an offshore structure in the Isle of Man during business hours.

The increasing use of the internet means that this is less of a problem than it perhaps would have been a few years ago, but unless you particularly want to conduct your business dealings in pyjamas, you would be wise to take this into account!

So - you have found a jurisdiction that fulfils all of the above criteria. That's the decision made, then, isn't it? Not quite. Although a particular jurisdiction may be ideal for the type of investment or banking that you have chosen, if you are planning to work there in the future, or spend your twilight years there, you will need to consider many other factors, for example the tax liabilities of resident foreign nationals there, how easy it is to obtain a work or residence permit, the standard of infrastructure and services, and the general lifestyle.

For more specific answer, please mention the countries in which you are operating now.