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UK LTD Company Formation for Non-Residents
Form a UK limited company from anywhere in the world, without living in the UK or visiting London. One price of $300 covers ID verification, incorporation and your UK registered office.
A UK LTD (private limited company) is a UK company that anyone can own and run from abroad. You need one director, one shareholder (can be the same person), a UK registered office and Companies House identity verification for every director and owner. With LLCPronto it costs $300 all in, including ID verification and the registered office, and the company is usually incorporated within 24 hours once your documents are ready.
UK LTD at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Our price | $300, including ID verification, incorporation and a UK registered office for the first year |
| Registered with | Companies House, the UK registrar of companies |
| Formation time | Usually within 24 hours once documents and ID checks are done |
| Director | One or more people aged 16+, any nationality, can live anywhere |
| Shareholder | Can be the same person as the director; you can own 100% |
| Minimum capital | None: you can start with £1 of share capital |
| UK visit or visa | Not needed |
What Is a UK LTD?
LTD stands for “limited”. A UK private limited company is a separate legal company owned by shareholders and run by directors. Owners are only liable up to the value of their shares, so personal savings stay separate from company debts. It pays UK corporation tax on its profits and files yearly accounts with Companies House.
Why Founders Abroad Form a UK LTD
- Credibility with UK and European clients, suppliers and marketplaces
- Stripe UK and UK fintech accounts, with providers that accept non-resident directors (approval is always the provider’s decision)
- Amazon UK and EU selling through a UK business
- Simple setup: one person can be the only director and shareholder
- No minimum capital and fully online formation
What a UK LTD Requires
- A company name ending in “Limited” or “Ltd”, not the same as an existing company. We check it before filing.
- At least one director: a real person aged 16 or over. Nationality and country of residence do not matter.
- At least one shareholder: can be the director. You choose the number of shares.
- A UK registered office address: it appears on the public register. We provide it.
- A SIC code describing what the company does. We pick the right one.
- People with significant control (PSC): anyone with 25%+ of shares or votes is listed publicly.
- Identity verification: since 18 November 2025, every new director and PSC must verify their identity with Companies House. It is included in our $300 and we guide you through it.
- Articles of association: the company rulebook. We prepare standard model articles.
Documents You Need for a UK LTD
- A valid passport for each director and shareholder
- Proof of home address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- Two or three company name choices
- A short description of what the company will do
- Who owns the shares and how they are split
- A quick selfie or video check for Companies House ID verification. We guide you through it
How Formation Works
- You send your details and documents on WhatsApp
- We check the name and complete your ID verification
- We file the incorporation with Companies House
- You receive the certificate of incorporation, articles, share certificates and PSC register
- We set up your registered office and a calendar of your yearly deadlines
What’s Included for $300
- Company name check
- Companies House identity verification
- Electronic incorporation filing
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Share certificates and statutory registers
- PSC registration
- UK registered office address for the first year
- Calendar of confirmation statement, accounts and tax deadlines
- Corporation tax registration guidance
Add-ons on request: UK fintech account help, VAT registration, bookkeeping referrals and Amazon UK seller account setup.
UK LTD Tax and Yearly Obligations
- Corporation tax: the company pays UK corporation tax on its profits, even if you live abroad. Rates change, so check the current HMRC rates when you plan.
- Confirmation statement: filed with Companies House at least once a year to confirm company details.
- Annual accounts: filed with Companies House and made public.
- Company tax return: filed with HMRC every year, with strict deadlines and automatic penalties.
- VAT: only needed once UK taxable turnover passes the VAT threshold, which changes over time.
- Your personal tax: salary or dividends you take may be taxed where you live, so check with a local adviser.
Banking for a UK LTD Owned From Abroad
A UK bank account is not legally required, but you will want one to get paid. High-street banks often expect a UK visit or a UK-resident director. Online fintech providers more often accept non-resident directors with proper company documents. We help you prepare a strong application; approval is always the provider’s decision.
UK LTD vs US LLC
| Point | UK LTD | US LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Best market | UK and European customers, Amazon UK | US customers, Amazon.com, Stripe US |
| Tax | UK corporation tax on profits | Pass-through by default |
| Public records | Directors, PSCs and accounts are public | Depends on the state |
| Price with LLCPronto | $300 | From $190 |
Many founders run both. See LLC vs LTD for the full comparison.
UK LTD FAQs
Can a non-UK resident own a UK LTD?
Yes. Directors and shareholders can be any nationality and live anywhere. No UK visa, address or visit is needed.
How much does a UK LTD cost with LLCPronto?
$300 in total, including Companies House ID verification, incorporation and a UK registered office for the first year.
Do I need to verify my identity with Companies House?
Yes. Since 18 November 2025, every new director and person with significant control must verify their identity. We guide you through it and it is included in our price.
How long does UK incorporation take?
Usually within 24 hours once your documents and ID verification are complete.
Can one person be the director and shareholder?
Yes. A UK LTD can have a single director who is also the only shareholder.
Is my name public?
Yes. Directors and people with 25% or more of the company appear on the public Companies House register. This is UK law for every LTD.
Can I open a UK bank account as a non-resident?
Usually through online fintech providers that accept non-resident directors. High-street banks often expect a UK visit.
What are the yearly filings for a UK LTD?
A confirmation statement and annual accounts with Companies House, and a company tax return with HMRC.
Related Guides
- LLC vs LTD: which to form
- US LLC from the UK
- Business bank account
- Stripe and PayPal setup
- All LLC guides
Form Your UK LTD for $300
ID verification and UK registered office included. Send us your company name choices on WhatsApp to start.
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