UK company registration for non-residents

There is no requirement to be a UK resident or citizen to set up and run a limited company in the UK. You can complete the entire UK company registration process online without ever having to travel here, which is especially convenient for non-residents.

In this post, we discuss the best way to register a company in the UK, explain how the company formation process works, and outline the information you need to provide to set up a UK company as a non-resident.

How to register a company in the UK

To register a company in the UK, you need to complete a formal application form. The process is straightforward, and it’s the same whether you live in the UK or overseas.

The best way to register a company is to use the services of a reputable online company formation agent, like Rapid Formations. We make the process as easy and stress-free as possible by providing everything you need to set up a UK company as a non-resident.

This includes specially tailored packages, a simple application form, and professional advice and assistance every step of the way. So, let’s take a look at the 4 simple steps you need to follow to set up a company online through Rapid Formations.

Step 1: Choose a company name

The first step in the UK company registration process is to choose a company name and check that it is available to register. To determine if your proposed company name is available, simply enter it into the company name search tool on our homepage.

If the company name is available, you can proceed with the process. However, if it is already in use, you must modify the name until you find one available to register.

How to choose a company name

When choosing an official name for your company, there are certain rules that you must follow. This is why you need to use the name search tool before completing the company formation application. The official company name rules and restrictions stipulate that a company name:

• It cannot be the ‘same as’ or very similar to another company’s name
• Must not include any restricted or ‘sensitive’ words or expressions
• Should not be offensive or include any words that would constitute an offence
• Must end with the word ‘Limited’ or the abbreviation ‘Ltd’, unless exempt
• Must not include prohibited characters, punctuation, signs, or symbols

You should also find out if your company name is available to register as a domain name for your website.

Step 2: Select one of our Non-Resident Company Registration Packages

The next step in the registration process is to choose a package to register your new company. At Rapid Formations, we’ve designed two Non-Residents Packages to suit the specific needs of non-residents who wish to set up a limited company in the UK.

Our Non-Residents Package provides everything you need to register a UK company and start trading, including:

• Incorporation of a UK private limited company
• WiseUK business bank account referral with international banking, allowing you to get paid from over 100 online marketplaces and pay in over 40 currencies (subject to approval)
• Full set of digital company registration documents delivered by email, including a certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, and share certificates
• Digital company registers with first entries, which is a legal requirement of all UK limited companies
• Full set of printed company registration documents delivered by post, with free international tracked delivery to anywhere in the world
• VAT Registration with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• London registered office address (free for 12 months, worth £39.00) – legally required by all UK companies
• 1 x London service address (free for 12 months, worth £26.00) – legally required by UK company directors, subscribers, and PSCs
• London business address service (free for 12 months, worth £89.00)
• Free Online Client Portal account to manage your company’s registered details and statutory filing requirements
• Free telephone support for the life of your company
• Free .com or .co.uk domain name
• GDPR Compliance Package – to ensure that your company fully complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• 12-month cancellation protection – if you change your mind within the first 12 months and decide that you no longer need your company, we will close it for you
• The Full Company Secretary Service to take care of your company’s compliance (free for 12 months – worth £149.99), which includes:
  • 15 changes per year to your company’s registered details
  • A dedicated account manager
  • Preparation and filing of your annual confirmation statement
  • Preparation and maintenance of your statutory company registers
  • Dormant accounts submission to Companies House if your company is dormant
  • Monthly solicitor-written guidance notes

If you choose our Non-Residents Plus Package, you will also benefit from the following service.

Our business banking solution for non-residents 

A Wise UK business account referral, which is included with our Non-Resident Packages, is an ideal banking solution for non-residents. Wise provides you with a UK bank account number and sort code, and enable you to receive money for free from over 100 online marketplaces, including AliExpress and Amazon, and spend money in over 40 currencies.

Step 3: Add optional extras and check out

Once you have selected your company registration package, you can add ‘optional extras’ (additional services) to your order before checking out and completing the application form. These optional extras include:

• Free consultation with a leading London accountancy firm to discuss financial and tax matters
• Apostilled Document Service to legalise your company documents for overseas use
• Company Seal to emboss official paperwork with your company name and registration number
• Additional service addresses (if your company has more than one director, shareholder, and PSC)
• Pre-Submission Review by one of our company formation experts, who will check your application for any mistakes or missing information

You will then be ready to check out, pay for your package and any additional services, and proceed to the final step – completing the online application form to register a UK company.

Step 4: Complete the online application form

The final step in the process is to complete our simple online application form. To do this, you will need to provide the following details about your company and the people who will own and manage it:

Company name

Your chosen company name will be automatically added to the form. Check the name to ensure there are no spelling mistakes, that the letter case and spacing are correct, and that you have included ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ at the end.

Registered office address

Our London registered office address will be automatically added to the form. This will be your company’s official address, which will appear on public record. All government correspondence from Companies House (the UK registrar of companies) and HMRC (the UK’s tax authority) will be delivered to this address. When any such mail is received, we will scan and email it to you on the very same day.

Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC code)

You must provide a Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC code) to describe and classify your company’s main business activities. You can choose a maximum of four.

Our online company registration form includes a SIC code search facility, which you can use to find your company’s appropriate code(s). However, you may wish to find your company’s SIC code(s) on the SIC code list before starting your order.

Articles of association

This constitutional document sets out the rules for running your company. We will provide you with the standard ‘model’ version of the articles of association. This suits most limited companies, so you don’t need to worry about creating your own.

However, you can upload a copy of your application if you wish to provide bespoke articles of association to suit your company’s specific needs.

Director’s details

A minimum of one director must be appointed to the company. For each director, you must enter the following details:

• Full name
• Date of birth (must be at least 16 years old)
• Home/residential address (this will not appear on public record)
• Service address (this will appear on public record) – enter our London service address in this section
• Nationality
• Occupation (optional)

Directors are the people who manage a company on behalf of its shareholders. You can appoint yourself as a director and/or appoint other people to this position.

It is commonplace for the directors of a company to also be shareholders. This means that you can set up and run the company on your own, by appointing yourself as a director and a shareholder. Alternatively, you set up and run the company with other people.

Shareholder’s details

A minimum of one shareholder is required. For each shareholder, you must enter the following details:

• Full name
• Date of birth (no minimum age requirement)
• Home/residential address (this will not appear on public record)
• Service address (this will appear on public record) – enter our London service address in this section
• Nationality
• Three security details (to create a secure online signature)
  • First three letters of mother’s maiden name
  • First three letters of father’s forename
  • First three letters of town of birth

Shareholders are the people who own and control the company. You can add yourself as a shareholder and/or you can add other people to this position.

Limited company shareholders – everything you need to know

Limited company directors – everything you need to know

It is normal for the shareholders of a company to also be directors. This means you can singlehandedly own and manage the company by appointing yourself as a shareholder and director. Alternatively, you own and manage the company with other people.

Share capital

To form a limited by shares company, you are legally required to issue at least one share for every shareholder. If you are registering the company on your own, you can simply issue one share to yourself.

It’s important to consider your long-term plans before deciding on the number of shares you issue. Do you want to sell shares to attract investment or new business partners in the future? Do you want to gift shares to your spouse or family members? You can always issue more shares after incorporation if need be.

Our guide to limited company shares provides more information on shares and share capital. But if you need more guidance or would rather speak to one of our company formation experts, please contact us, and we will be happy to advise.

People with significant control (PSCs)

People with significant control (PSCs) own and/or control a certain percentage of a limited company. Usually (but not always), the PSCs are the shareholders.

You will need to identify your company’s PSCs and provide the following details for each person:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Home/residential address (this will not appear on public record)
• Service address (this will appear on public record)
• Nationality
• The PSC’s ‘nature of control’ in the company:
  • They hold more than 25% of issued shares
  • They hold more than 25% of voting rights
  • They have the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors

It’s normally really easy to identify and determine who your PSCs are. For example, if you’re setting up a company on your own, you will be the only PSC. Or, if you’re registering a company with only one or two other people and you all take the same number and value of shares, you will all be classed as people with significant control.

Submitting your company formation application

If you have all of the required information to hand before starting the UK company registration process, it should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete the online application form.

Once you’ve finished, we will electronically file your application at Companies House for approval. Most companies are approved and registered within 24 hours. Your company is ready to start trading as soon as it’s incorporated.

When your application is approved, we will notify you by email and provide digital copies of your company formation documents and company registers. These documents are extremely important, so you must keep them safe and retain them for the lifetime of your company.

We will post printed copies of your company documents by tracked delivery, free of charge, to any UK or international address you choose.

So there you have it…

At Rapid Formations, we have been providing company registration services to non-UK residents for several years. We have made the process as straightforward and affordable as possible by designing a range of special packages, creating a simple online application form, and providing 24/7 support from our team of UK company formation experts.

Our Non-Residents Packages include everything you need to register a UK limited company and start trading, including prestigious London company address services, company documents with free international delivery, business banking and accounting solutions, VAT registration with HMRC, GDPR compliance, and much more.

If you have any questions, please comment below, and we will respond shortly.