Company formation in United Kingdom

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Important: a non-resident's right to own the company does not automatically grant a right to live, work or manage it from that country. Immigration, work permits, substance, effective management and tax residence are assessed separately.

• —Digital products, consulting and exported services.
• —Startups that value a recognisable Ltd structure and English-law contracting.
• —International trade supported by a genuine operating model and documented supply chain.

• —Private company limited by shares (Ltd), the standard option for a commercial venture.
• —A private company limited by guarantee, a no-shareholder form generally used for non-profits, membership bodies and public-interest projects.
• —LLP, a partnership form for selected professional or joint ventures; tax outcomes generally flow through to members.
• —A Limited Partnership (LP) with a general partner and limited partners, most often used for funds, investments and joint ventures.
• —A public limited company (PLC), a public-share form with enhanced capital, governance and reporting requirements.

• —At least one shareholder and one director; the same person may hold both roles. An Ltd must have at least one natural-person director.
• —A director need not live in the UK, but the company needs an appropriate registered office in its chosen UK jurisdiction and a registered email address.
• —Shareholdings, SIC codes and people with significant control (PSCs) must be identified, together with applicable Companies House identity verification.
• —Regulated activities require separate licences or permissions; incorporating an Ltd does not provide them.

• —A passport or other acceptable ID for every founder, director and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO).
• —Proof of residential address, usually issued within the previous three months; the reviewing party sets the exact validity period.
• —A transparent ownership chart through to natural persons and, for a corporate founder, its registry documents and authorised resolutions.
• —A description of the product, markets, counterparties, expected turnover, source of funds and source of wealth, supported by evidence.
• —Company name, registered office, registered email, SIC codes and share allocation.
• —Memorandum, articles of association and statement of capital; standard documents may be generated by the online service.
• —Director, shareholder and PSC details, including registry addresses and legally required identifiers.

1. 01Review the business model, cross-border tax links and activity eligibility.
2. 02Agree the name, ownership structure, roles, shares, SIC codes and address.
3. 03Prepare and file with Companies House and arrange any required identity checks.
4. 04After incorporation, set up the corporate file, HMRC processes and the bank or EMI onboarding pack.

• —The company normally reports UK Corporation Tax on profits; the applicable rate and reliefs depend on the period, profit level and group position.
• —VAT, PAYE, withholding and non-UK tax residence must be assessed from actual activity, management location and turnover.
• —This overview is not personal tax advice; the position should be confirmed with a qualified accountant or adviser before launch.

General overview, not personal tax or legal advice. Rules are rechecked before filing.

• —A bank or EMI independently reviews directors, UBOs, source of funds, website, contracts, customer geography and the economic link to the UK.
• —Incorporation does not guarantee an account. High-risk sectors, complex ownership and limited evidence of activity trigger enhanced due diligence.

• —Annual accounts and a Company Tax Return, subject to their separate deadlines and exemptions.
• —A confirmation statement at least once in every 12-month review period.
• —Updates to directors, address, shares and PSCs, plus statutory and accounting record keeping.

• —Public availability of substantial registry data and directors' personal responsibility for timely filings.
• —Effective management from another country may create tax residence or a permanent establishment there.
• —Companies House, HMRC and financial institutions may request additional evidence or decline under their own rules.

• —Ltd structuring, standard corporate documents and registered-office coordination.
• —Preparation of PSC/identity data, incorporation and delivery of the complete corporate file.
• —KYB pack preparation for a selected bank/EMI and accountant hand-off; bank approval and tax outcomes are not guaranteed.

The exact Basic scope and all exclusions are listed in the pricing section above. Non-standard structures and external costs are agreed before payment.

Requirements checked on August 9, 2026. Before filing, we recheck rules, forms, fees and restrictions with the registration authority.