UK Company Registration
Incorporate a private limited company at Companies House with a registered UK office address.
A private company limited by shares is the standard United Kingdom structure, registered at Companies House. Formation is fast and inexpensive by international standards — often completed within a day or two — which makes the UK an accessible base for Indian businesses selling into Britain and Europe.
The administrative burden sits after formation rather than during it. UK companies file annually with both Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs, and the public disclosure regime is more extensive than in India.
What this costs
Company Incorporation
$570 plus VAT
+ $400 government fee, payable at actuals
- Incorporation in roughly fifteen to twenty days
- Name Check & Clearance
- Electronic Filings
- Company Incorporation Certificate
- Memorandum of Association
- SIC Codes
- Virtual Office Address
- Share Capital Certificate
- Help opening the current account
What formation requires
- At least one director, who may be a non-resident
- At least one shareholder, which may be the same person
- A registered office address in the United Kingdom
- Details of persons with significant control over the company
- A memorandum and articles of association
- A company name that is available and not too similar to an existing one
Persons with significant control
The UK maintains a public register of individuals who ultimately own or control a company — broadly those holding more than a quarter of the shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant influence.
This information is publicly searchable. Indian founders used to a more limited disclosure regime are sometimes surprised by how visible ownership is, and it is worth understanding before choosing the UK as a holding jurisdiction.
What has to be filed each year
- Confirmation statement to Companies House, at least annually
- Annual accounts to Companies House, with small companies filing abridged accounts
- Corporation tax return to HM Revenue and Customs
- Corporation tax payable within nine months and a day of the year end
- VAT returns, where registered
- Payroll filings under real time information, where there are employees
The banking difficulty
Formation is straightforward; banking is not. UK banks generally expect a director resident in the UK, or evidence of genuine UK operations, before opening an account.
Electronic money institutions and financial technology providers are more accessible for non-resident directors and are what most Indian-owned UK companies use initially.
How we handle it
- 1 Name and structure Name availability is checked and the shareholding and director structure settled.
- 2 Registered office A UK registered office address is arranged, which every company must have.
- 3 Incorporation The application is filed with Companies House with the articles and control details.
- 4 Certificate issued The certificate of incorporation and company number are issued, often within a working day or two.
- 5 Tax registration The company is registered for corporation tax and, where applicable, for VAT and payroll.
- 6 Indian reporting The overseas investment is reported to the Reserve Bank and flagged for Schedule FA disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident be the sole director?
Yes. There is no residence requirement for directors of a UK private company. A UK registered office address is required, but the director need not be in the UK.
Is our ownership public?
Yes. The register of persons with significant control is publicly searchable, and annual accounts are filed publicly. Disclosure is more extensive than in India.
Do we need to register for VAT?
Only once taxable turnover crosses the registration threshold, or voluntarily where it helps to reclaim input VAT. It is not required at formation.
How hard is opening a bank account?
Traditional banks generally want a UK-resident director or evidence of genuine UK operations. Electronic money institutions are more accessible and are what most Indian-owned UK companies use initially.
What are the annual obligations?
A confirmation statement and annual accounts to Companies House, and a corporation tax return to HMRC with tax payable within nine months and a day of the year end.
What is not included. Government fees, statutory charges, stamp duty, court and registry fees, digital signature costs and any third-party professional charges are separate and payable at actuals. GST applies on professional fees where indicated. Prices shown are indicative and may change without notice; we confirm the total in writing before any work begins — see our terms on pricing.
Talk to us about UK Company Registration
Share your requirement and our team will confirm the documents needed, the exact charges and a realistic timeline — usually the same working day.
- Expert document checking before submission
- Regular status updates on WhatsApp
- Transparent professional charges
- Assistance in Marathi & English
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