The United Kingdom is one of the most attractive and profitable places to do business in the world. It has a stable economy, a strong legal system, and a large consumer market. But what if you are not a resident of the UK? Can you still form a limited company there and enjoy the benefits of doing business in the UK?
The answer is yes. You do not need to be a UK national or resident to form a limited company in the UK. In fact, thousands of non-residents form UK companies every year for various reasons. In this article, we will explore some of the advantages and requirements of forming a UK company as a non-resident.
Advantages of Forming a UK Company as a Non-Resident
There are many reasons why non-residents choose to form UK companies. Here are some of the main ones:
- Access to one of the world's largest and most profitable markets: The UK has a population of over 66 million people and a GDP of over 2.8 trillion USD¹. It is also one of the leading countries in terms of innovation, technology, and education. By forming a UK company, you can tap into this huge and diverse market without needing a work visa or any special permissions.
- Protection of your intellectual property and copyright: The UK has a robust and respected legal system that protects your rights as a business owner. You can register your trademarks, patents, and designs in the UK and enjoy the protection of the UK Intellectual Property Office². You can also benefit from the UK's membership in international treaties and conventions that safeguard your intellectual property rights globally.
- Less legal red tape when trading with UK businesses: The UK has a business-friendly environment that makes it easy to start and run a company. You can form a limited company online in as little as 10 minutes and for as little as 12 GBP³. You also have less reporting and filing requirements compared to other countries. For example, you do not need to file annual accounts if your company has a turnover of less than 6.5 million GBP.
- Increased customer credibility and trust: Many customers in the UK and abroad prefer to buy from UK businesses because they trust their quality, reliability, and reputation. By forming a UK company, you can enhance your brand image and credibility among your target audience. You can also use the prestigious ".co.uk" domain name for your website and email address, which we can provide.
Requirements of Forming a UK Company as a Non-Resident
Forming a UK company as a non-resident is not difficult, but there are some legal and practical requirements that you need to meet. Here are some of the main ones:
- A registered office address: This is the official address of your company where you receive all official correspondence from the government and other parties. It must be a physical address in the UK (not a PO box) and it must be in the same country where you incorporate your company (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). You can use the address of a law firm or an accountancy firm that offers registered office services for non-residents.
- At least one director and one shareholder: A director is the person who manages the day-to-day operations of your company. A shareholder is the person who owns shares in your company. You can be both the director and the shareholder of your company, or you can appoint other people to these roles. The director and the shareholder do not need to be UK residents or nationals, but they must be at least 16 years old.
- A unique company name: Your company name must be different from any other existing company name in the UK. You can check the availability of your desired name on our website www.cgincorporations.com. Your company name must also follow certain rules and restrictions regarding sensitive words, offensive words, and abbreviations.
- A memorandum and articles of association: These are two documents that set out the rules and regulations of your company. The memorandum states the name of your company, its registered office address, and its objectives. The articles state how your company will be run, how decisions will be made, how shares will be issued, etc. You can use standard templates provided by Companies House or create your own customised ones.
How to Form a UK Company as a Non-Resident
The easiest way to form a UK company as a non-resident is to use our Non-UK resident company formation services that specialise in non-resident formations, which include all the paperwork and registrations necessary to form your UK company, saving you time and hassle. We can also provide you with additional services such as nominee shareholders, nominee directors, registered office address, business bank account, tax advice, and accounting support.
CG Incorporations provide a Non-Residents Package that includes everything you need to form and run a UK company as a non-resident, visit: https://www.cgincorporations.com/uk-company-formation/non-resident-registration/
Forming a UK company as a non-resident is a smart and viable option for anyone who wants to do business in the UK or internationally. It offers many advantages such as access to a large and profitable market, protection of your intellectual property, less legal red tape, and increased customer credibility. It also has minimal setup requirements such as a registered office address, at least one director and one shareholder, a unique company name, and a memorandum and articles of association.
Contact us to form your UK company as a non-resident we will take care of all the details and provide you with all the additional support and guidance you require.
If you are interested in forming a UK company as a non-resident, don't hesitate to contact CG Incorporations today and order our Non-Residents Package. You will be amazed by how easy and convenient it is to start and run a UK company from anywhere in the world.
Published: 10/4/2023 5:11:01 PM
