UNITED KINGDOM
UK Limited Company Formation for International Founders
Establish a UK private limited company for consulting, technology, e-commerce, professional services and international business. ReadyCorp coordinates incorporation, registered-office support, corporate documentation, compliance preparation and optional banking assistance.
- Private Company Limited by Shares
- Companies House registration
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Association
- Statutory company registers
- UK registered-office address
- International directors permitted
- Optional bank-account assistance
A globally recognised corporate jurisdiction
The UK remains a widely recognised environment for international businesses seeking a straightforward limited-company structure, public corporate registry and established commercial framework.
International reputation
A UK Limited company provides a familiar corporate structure for clients, suppliers, payment partners and international counterparties.
Foreign directors permitted
UK company directors do not have to live in the United Kingdom, making the structure accessible to international entrepreneurs.
Single-founder friendly
A private company can be established with one shareholder and at least one individual director, and the same person may hold both roles.
No mandatory company secretary
A standard UK private limited company is not generally required to appoint a company secretary unless its constitutional documents require one.
Public corporate registry
Companies House provides a transparent public company register containing key corporate and filing information.
Business versatility
UK companies are commonly used for consulting, technology, online businesses, e-commerce, agencies, trading and other commercial activities.
Who typically chooses a UK Limited company
The UK can be particularly useful for founders who value international recognition, a clear corporate framework and practical access to business-service providers.
Consultants & agencies
Professional-service providers working with international clients and requiring a recognised commercial entity for contracting and invoicing.
Technology & SaaS
Software companies, digital platforms and online-service providers seeking a straightforward international company structure.
E-commerce businesses
Online merchants and international businesses working with marketplaces, suppliers, fulfilment providers and payment partners.
International founders
Non-UK entrepreneurs seeking an English-speaking corporate jurisdiction without a general requirement for the company director to reside in the UK.
Choose the level of support you need
All three packages establish the core UK company. Higher service levels add corporate structuring, personalised documentation and banking support.
- UK company registration
- Digital Certificate of Incorporation
- Standard Articles of Association
- Company statutory registers
- Companies House company number
- Corporate-document guidance
- UK registered office for 1 year
- Initial tax & regulatory guidance
- Everything in Advanced
- Business-structure consultation
- Shareholding and governance review
- Articles drafting / adaptation support
- Enhanced corporate-document preparation
- UK registered office for 1 year
- Priority formation support
- Initial tax & regulatory guidance
- Everything in Premium
- Full incorporation coordination
- Corporate and ownership structuring
- Enhanced onboarding documentation
- UK registered office for 1 year
- Banking-readiness review
- Bank account opening assistance
- Priority support throughout onboarding
A straightforward corporate structure
The standard structure is a private company limited by shares registered with Companies House.
- At least one individual director
- At least one shareholder
- Director may also be the shareholder
- Non-UK resident directors permitted
- UK registered-office address required
- Registered company email required
- People with Significant Control must be identified
- Companies House identity verification applies
A private UK Limited company does not generally need to appoint a company secretary.
- Company secretary is optional for most private companies
- Directors remain responsible for statutory compliance
- Secretarial support can be arranged where useful
Identity verification is now part of UK company compliance
UK corporate transparency rules have changed significantly. Identity verification is now a legal requirement for key individuals connected to UK companies.
Directors
Directors must complete Companies House identity verification and use their personal code when required for company filings or appointments.
People with Significant Control
PSCs are also subject to identity-verification requirements according to the applicable Companies House timetable.
Company filings
Companies must keep their corporate information current and ensure required director and PSC verification has been completed.
Corporation Tax from 19% to 25%
The actual Corporation Tax rate depends on the company's taxable profits and whether the relevant small-profits or marginal-relief provisions apply.
19% small profits rate
Companies with qualifying taxable profits of £50,000 or less may fall within the 19% small-profits rate, subject to the applicable rules.
Marginal Relief
Companies with qualifying profits between £50,000 and £250,000 may benefit from Marginal Relief, creating a gradual transition toward the main rate.
25% main rate
The main Corporation Tax rate is 25% for companies with profits above the applicable upper threshold.
VAT and founder-level taxation
Incorporating a UK company does not by itself determine the personal tax position of its international founders.
- Standard VAT rate: 20%
- Reduced and zero rates apply to certain supplies
- VAT treatment depends on the goods or services supplied
- Registration requirements depend on the company's circumstances
- Company tax and personal tax are separate
- Personal taxation depends heavily on residence
- Dividend and salary treatment may differ
- Other-country tax obligations can still apply
What happens after incorporation
A UK Limited company must continue to meet Companies House and HMRC obligations after it has been established.
- Maintain accurate company and accounting records
- Prepare statutory annual accounts
- File accounts with Companies House
- Prepare the Company Tax Return where required
- File a confirmation statement at least annually
- Maintain director, shareholder and PSC information
- Keep registered office and email details current
UK companies must prepare statutory accounts. Whether an audit is required depends on the company and whether it qualifies for an applicable audit exemption.
- Annual statutory accounts required
- Accounting records must be maintained
- Small / micro-entity reporting may be available
- Audit requirement depends on applicable criteria
More than incorporation
We coordinate the practical company, documentation and onboarding workstreams international founders need when establishing a UK business.
Company formation
Companies House incorporation and preparation of the principal corporate documents.
Registered office
Appropriate UK registered-office service included for the first year within the formation packages.
Corporate structuring
Guidance on shareholders, directors, share structure and constitutional documentation according to the selected package.
Compliance preparation
Assistance organising company information and preparing for Companies House and ongoing statutory requirements.
Banking assistance
Under the Prestige package, ReadyCorp coordinates banking-readiness documentation and account-opening assistance.
Annual maintenance
Accounting, filing, registered-office and ongoing company-maintenance services can be coordinated separately.
From initial consultation to UK company
ReadyCorp coordinates the formation workflow from ownership planning through incorporation and optional banking support.
- 1
Initial consultation
We review the business activity, shareholders, directors, target markets and required support package.
- 2
Company details
Confirm the company name, ownership, share structure, registered office and principal business activity.
- 3
KYC & identity verification
Prepare the required founder documentation and coordinate Companies House identity-verification requirements where applicable.
- 4
Companies House incorporation
The company is submitted for registration and the corporate documents are prepared following approval.
- 5
Banking & next steps
Depending on the selected package, continue with banking preparation, accounting setup and ongoing corporate maintenance.
Information we typically need
The exact onboarding requirements depend on the ownership structure, activity and selected service package.
- Valid passport or identity document
- Recent proof of residential address
- Full legal name and date of birth
- Nationality and country of residence
- Director and shareholder allocation
- People with Significant Control information
- Preferred company name
- Alternative company names where available
- Description of intended business activity
- Expected countries of operation
- Share structure
- Banking requirements where applicable
Optional bank account opening assistance
The Prestige package adds practical preparation and coordination of the company banking file after incorporation.
Banking-readiness review
Review of the company activity, owners, expected transactions and account requirements before onboarding.
Corporate file preparation
Organisation of company documents, ownership information, KYC and supporting business information required by the selected institution.
Application coordination
Practical assistance through the onboarding process, including coordination of reasonable supplemental documentation requests.
UK company formation questions
Common questions from international founders considering a UK Limited company.
Can a non-UK resident form a UK company?
Yes. Directors of UK private limited companies do not have to live in the UK. The company itself must nevertheless maintain an appropriate UK registered-office address.
How many directors are required?
A private limited company must have at least one director, and at least one director must be an individual.
Can one person be both director and shareholder?
Yes. A UK private company limited by shares can have one shareholder, and that shareholder can also serve as the company's director.
Is a UK company secretary required?
Generally no. A private limited company does not normally need a company secretary unless its Articles of Association require one.
Is a UK registered office required?
Yes. The company must maintain an appropriate physical registered-office address in the relevant UK jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
Do directors have to verify their identity?
Yes. Companies House identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025. Directors and People with Significant Control are subject to the applicable verification timetable.
What is the UK Corporation Tax rate?
The small-profits rate is 19% for qualifying profits up to £50,000, while the main rate is 25% for profits above £250,000. Marginal Relief can apply between those thresholds, subject to the applicable rules.
What is the standard UK VAT rate?
The standard UK VAT rate is currently 20%. Whether a company needs to register and how VAT applies depends on its turnover, activities, customers and place of supply.
Does a UK company need annual accounts?
Yes. UK private companies must prepare statutory accounts and meet the applicable Companies House and HMRC filing obligations. Smaller and micro entities may qualify for simplified reporting.
Does ReadyCorp provide banking support?
Yes. Bank-account-opening assistance is included within the Prestige package. Final approval remains subject to the selected bank or financial institution.
Can ReadyCorp handle ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Accounting, statutory filings, confirmation statements, registered-office continuation and other annual corporate support can be coordinated separately according to the company's needs.
Establish your UK company with ReadyCorp
Tell us about your business, shareholders, target markets and banking requirements. ReadyCorp will coordinate the appropriate UK incorporation package and practical next steps.
