Can a Non-UK Resident Register a Company in the UK in 2025?
Register a company in the UK as a non UK resident.
Yes, a non UK resident can register a company in the UK in 2025, open business bank account and payment gateway accounts. There is nothing in UK company law that says non residents cannot register or run a UK limited company. What does change in 2025 is how you prove who you are: mandatory digital ID checks, stricter address rules and a higher VAT threshold. This article walks you through the whole process. From choosing a company name to opening a bank account so that you can decide whether a UK “Ltd” is right for you this year.
1. Why overseas entrepreneurs still love the UK in 2025
Global trust. A “Ltd” on your invoices reassures suppliers, banks and online marketplaces.
Speed and cost. UK company formation cost varies. Formation agents have packages that covers all you need to get start without any compliance issues from address services, mail forwarding, bank account setup support and lots more. Company formation usually takes within 1 or 2 business days.
Predictable law. The Companies Act 2006 offers limited liability and clear director duties.
Huge treaty network. More than 130 double-tax agreements reduce withholding taxes on dividends and royalties.
Remote-friendly. You can incorporate, file annual accounts and even verify your identity entirely online.
2. Is it legal for a non-UK resident to register a company?
Absolutely. The UK has no citizenship or residency requirement for directors or shareholders. What you do need is:
| Requirement | Resident in UK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At least one director | No | Must be a real person aged 16+ |
| At least one shareholder | No | Can be the same person as the director |
| Registered office address | Yes (address only) | Physical UK address—no PO boxes |
| Identity verification (from autumn 2025) | Applies worldwide | Via GOV.UK One Login or an authorised agent |
3. What’s new in 2025: identity checks and tighter addresses
3.1 Mandatory ID verification (ECCTA)
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 flips the old “trust-then-check” model on its head. From autumn 2025:
Every new director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) must verify identity before or during incorporation.
Existing companies get 12 months to verify when their next Confirmation Statement is due.
Filings that name an unverified director will be rejected and fines of up to £10,000 can follow.
You have two ways to pass the check:
Direct route (free). Scan passport in the GOV.UK One Login app, take a selfie, receive a personal code.
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). A formation agent does the KYC for you (typical fee £15-£50).
3.2 Bye-bye PO boxes
Since March 2024 the registered office must be a real UK street address where legal papers can be delivered. PO boxes on their own are no longer acceptable. Most non-resident founders rent a virtual office or accountant’s address for £50-£120 a year.
4. Minimum paperwork you’ll need
A company name that isn't identical or “too like” an existing one.
Memorandum and articles of association—formation agents supply standard templates.
Share capital statement. One £1 share is fine; many founders issue 100 × £0.01 for flexibility.
Director and shareholder details (full name, DOB, nationality, residential and service addresses).
A UK registered office and (optionally) a separate service address to keep your home off the public record.
5. Step-by-step: registering your UK limited company from abroad
| Step | What to do | Founder-friendly tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-check the name | Use Companies House name checker (free). | Avoid “Group”, “Holdings”, or sensitive words unless you have permission. |
| 2. Choose formation route | a) GOV.UK WebFiling (£12) b) Formation agent bundle (£50-£120). | Agents handle ID verification, address rental and digital docs—worth it for non-residents. |
| 3. Buy a registered-office package | Pick England/Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. | Mail scanning beats forwarding if you live across time zones. |
| 4. Draft share structure | One ordinary share to you, unless investors need more. | Keep it simple; you can issue new classes later. |
| 5. Verify identity | GOV.UK One Login or ACSP. | Do this before step 6 to avoid delays once the law kicks in. |
| 6. File the IN01 application | Enter director, shareholder and PSC details; upload articles; pay fee. | Double-check spellings—typos trigger rejections. |
| 7. Receive Certificate of Incorporation | Usually within 24 hours (same-day extra £38). | Save the PDF—banks and payment processors will ask for it. |
6. Opening a UK business bank account
Traditional high-street banks now insist on at least one UK-based director, which shuts out many overseas founders. Luckily, fintechs have filled the gap:
| Provider | Strengths | Typical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Wise Business | Multi-currency IBANs, low FX fees | Passport, company docs |
| Revolut Business | GBP + EUR accounts, cards | Extra video KYC for some countries |
| Airwallex | Local USD, AUD, EUR, GBP accounts | Larger e-commerce sellers |
| Tide | UK sort code + account | Currently needs EU/UK phone number |
Apply the moment you get your incorporation certificate; reviews can take a within 24 hours or a week depending on the banking platform. At Incorpuk, we offer non UK residents and UK residents guidelines and support for business bank account opening and we are a major partner of Wise and Tide.
7. Taxes and ongoing compliance
7.1 Corporation Tax
Main rate: 25 % on profits above £250,000.
Small-profits rate: 19 % up to £50,000, with marginal relief in between.
Important: If the company’s central management and control (i.e., board decisions) takes place outside the UK, HMRC may treat it as non-resident, shifting tax to your home country. Get cross-border advice.
7.2 VAT
The registration threshold rose to £90,000 in April 2024. Non-established taxable persons, however, must register from their first sale in the UK.
7.3 PAYE and director salary
If you work entirely abroad, UK payroll taxes usually don’t apply, but double-check treaty rules. Paying yourself dividends instead of salary can be efficient but triggers paperwork in your home jurisdiction.
7.4 Annual filings
| Filing | Deadline | Penalty for lateness |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Statement | Within 14 days of anniversary | Strike-off risk after 2 months |
| Accounts | 9 months after year-end | £150–£1,500 sliding fines |
| Corporation Tax return | 12 months after year-end | £100–£1,000 + interest |
Most founders hire a UK cloud accountant (£50-£100/month) to handle these.
8. Benefits beyond Britain’s borders
Stripe, PayPal and Amazon Seller Central all accept UK companies, opening EU and US markets. UK courts recognise electronic signatures; no notary needed for most corporate actions.
Double-tax treaties often cut withholding tax on royalties and management fees to 0 %. Selling the shares of a UK company can attract overseas buyers because English law is familiar to investors.
9. Five common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Using your own address on the public register
Buy a service address to keep stalkers and spam away.
Leaving ID verification until the last minute
Queues will be long in Q4 2025—verify early.
Assuming “Ltd” means no UK tax
Residence rules look at where decisions happen, not where paperwork sits.
Bank-account paralysis
Start fintech onboarding the day you receive your company number.
Ignoring home-country reporting
Brazilian residents, for example, must file a CBE return for overseas shareholdings.
10. Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need a UK visa or work permit?
No. Incorporation is a corporate act, not an immigration act.
Q: Can I be the only director and shareholder?
Yes—one person can fill every role.
Q: Will my personal address appear online?
Not if you use a separate service address; only that address is published.
Q: Can I form the company first and verify identity later?
From autumn 2025, no. The IN01 will be rejected unless every new director and PSC is verified.
Q: What if I need a physical presence?
You can register a branch (an “overseas company”) instead, but it offers no limited liability shield and costs £71 to file.
Conclusion: still open for business—just better documented
For global entrepreneurs, the UK remains one of the fastest, cheapest and most credible places to set up a company—no plane ticket required. The 2025 reforms don’t close the door; they simply ask everyone to flash their passport first.
Handle the new ID check early, rent a legitimate UK address, keep an eye on tax residence, and you can run a UK company from anywhere in the world through your Incorpuk dashboard. In the end, location no longer dictates opportunity but clarity and compliance do.
Thinking of taking the plunge? Gather your documents tonight and you could be trading under a shiny new UK “Ltd” by the end of the week. The world—and the UK register—are just a few clicks away.