UK Company Formation for Non-Resident

Your new company will usually be formed within 2 banking days; however, this timescale is subject to Companies House workload and it may take longer. If it is of great importance that your company is incorporated as soon as possible or on the same day, we always recommend you add the Guaranteed Same Day Service to your order.

A limited company is a separate legal entity from its owners, so your personal assets will be protected by the limited financial liability status of the new company.

Once you new company has been approved by the Companies House, you can start trading immediately.

We have partnered with TransferWise to provide our Non-UK resident customers with international business banking.

Create an account in minutes and get access to the following bank details to receive money for free and hold money in over 40 currencies – all with zero fees:

• British account number and sort code
• European IBAN
• US account number and routing number
• Australian account number and BSB code

A TransferWise for Business Account provides worldwide coverage, allowing you to send money to 70+ countries, and receive and hold 40+ currencies.

What happens next?
As soon as your company is approved by Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email, which will include a link to sign up for a new TransferWise for Business Account.

Companies House charge a £10.00 fee for the incorporation of your company. This cost is included in all of our packages. So the price you see is what you pay.

Digital Certificate of Incorporation
A digital (PDF) version of the Certificate of Incorporation, delivered to you by email. This is the main document which proves your company’s existence. It is sometimes referred to as your company’s birth certificate.

Information included in this document:

• Company name.
• Company registration number.
• The situation of the registered office – England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Date of incorporation.
• Company structure, e.g. Limited by shares.
• The Registrar – Companies House Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast.
• The Companies Act under which the company is registered – Companies Act 2006.
• Official seal of the Registrar of Companies.
• Royal Coat of Arms.

A digital version of the memorandum & articles of association, delivered to you by email. These documents form a company’s constitution and are the main documents required to incorporate a company under the Companies Act 2006.

This memorandum of association states the intention of the subscribers to form a company, become a member of that company and agree to take at least one share each.

The articles of association set out the rules on how the company should be governed. It also details the rights and responsibilities of its directors and owners.

Digital (PDF) Share Certificate(s)
A digital version of your share certificate(s), which is a legal document certifying ownership of shares within a limited company. A share certificate includes the following information:

• Certificate number.
• Company name.Company registration number.
• Name and address of the shareholder.
• Issue date of share(s)
• Number of shares.
• The class of the share.
• The nominal value of each share.

Digital (PDF) Company Register with first entries

A digital version of your company’s statutory registers, with the first entries completed at the date of incorporation. Our Company Register contains the following documents:

• Register of Applications and Allotments.
• Register of Members and Share Ledger.
• Register of Transfers.
• Register of Mortgages and Charges.
• Register of Debentures.
• Register of Sealings or Executions.
• Register of Directors.
• Share Certificate(s).

A digital (PDF) version of the minutes of your company’s initial board meeting, where the first resolutions for your company were passed.

This is the main document which proves your company’s existence. It is sometimes referred to as your company’s birth certificate. We recommend having a printed version of this original document for display purposes, and another copy available for use with banks or other institutions.

• Company name.
• Company registration number.
• The situation of the registered office – England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Date of incorporation.
• Company structure, e.g. Limited by shares.
• The Registrar – Companies House Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast.
• The Companies Act under which the company is registered – Companies Act 2006.
• Official seal of the Registrar of Companies.
• Royal Coat of Arms.

A printed version of the memorandum & articles of association, delivered to you by post. These documents form a company’s constitution and are the main documents required to incorporate a company under the Companies Act 2006.

This memorandum of association states the intention of the subscribers to form a company, become a member of that company and agree to take at least one share each.

The articles of association sets out the rules on how the company should be governed. It also details the rights and responsibilities of its directors and owners.

Given the importance of this document, it is advisable to have a printed copy.

A printed version of your company’s initial board meeting minutes, showing the first resolutions passed for your company. This is an important document and we recommend a printed version should be kept with your other formation documents.

A printed version of your original share certificate(s), proving ownership of shares within a limited company. A share certificate includes the following information:

• Certificate number.
• Company name.
• Company registration number.
• Name and address of the shareholder.
• Issue date of share(s)
• Number of shares.
• The class of the share.
• The nominal value of each share.

If you need or want to have your company registered for VAT, we will take care of the formalities and process the application on your behalf.

Companies register for VAT due to the following reasons:

• Turnover is expected to exceed £85,000 in the next 12 months. It is therefore a legal requirement to register for VAT, unless the supplies are exempt.
• If turnover is expected to be less than £85,000 but the company wants to register voluntarily.

The VAT registration process explained

As soon as your company is incorporated, we will send you a questionnaire by email, asking for some additional information necessary to complete your VAT registration application with HMRC.

We will then apply for your VAT registration online. This process can take between 8 and 21 days.

Once your VAT registration has been approved, we will send your VAT Registration Number to you by email. Your VAT Registration Certificate will be sent to you by post by HMRC.

This service allows you to maintain the privacy of your home address, by using our prestigious London office location as your company’s official registered office address. We will scan and email all statutory company mail from a number of official government bodies to you, free of charge.

Mail from the following government bodies are covered by this service: Companies House, HMRC, Government Gateway, Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Office for National Statistics, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Court documents.

Please note:

• All official registered office mail from a number of government bodies will be scanned and emailed to you, free of charge.
• Mail will be forwarded on a daily basis.

This service is renewable on a 12 monthly basis at the cost of R1,293.36 (Exl. VAT). Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.

All company directors, secretaries and persons with significant control (e.g. shareholders who own more than 25% of the company’s shares), must provide a service address where statutory mail from government bodies such as Companies House and HMRC can be sent to them personally. This address will appear on public record, so many people prefer not to use their home address.

With this facility, our London Service Address will show on the public record rather than your home address. We will scan and email all statutory company mail addressed to your company officer from a number of government bodies, to you, free of charge.

Mail from the following government bodies are covered by this service: Companies House, HMRC, Government Gateway, Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Office for National Statistics, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Court documents.

Please note:

• All official service address mail from a number of government bodies will be scanned and emailed to you, free of charge.
• Mail will be forwarded on a daily basis.

This service is renewable on a 12 monthly basis at the cost of R900.00 (Exl VAT). Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.

Our London mail forwarding service allows you to use our prestigious Covent Garden address for your day-to-day business correspondence. A business address in the heart of London’s West End is an excellent way to improve the image of your company and impress potential clients. All mail will be forwarded to an address of your choice by first class post.

Please note:

• The forwarding of all general business mail will be charged at Royal Mail International postal rates plus 25%.
• Mail will be forwarded on a daily basis.

This service is renewable on a 12 monthly basis at the cost of R2,863.62. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.

International Business Tracked Delivery (or if not available in your country – International Business Signed Delivery) of your printed company documents, to anywhere in the world – free of charge.

Confirmation Statement (Preparation & Filing)
Previously known as the Annual Return

It is a legal requirement to submit a Confirmation Statement to Companies House at least once each year, keeping them informed and up-to-date with your latest company details. The Confirmation Statement is basically a snapshot of general information about your company on the date of filing the Statement. It includes details of the company’s principal business activity, directors (and company secretary if applicable), the registered office, share capital, shareholdings and people with significant control. An experienced member of our staff will prepare and submit your Confirmation Statement to Companies House before the due date, ensuring this will be done on time and with total accuracy.

The Confirmation Statement should not be confused with the annual accounts, which are financial documents, usually prepared by an accountant.

Please note: This service is renewable every 12 months and does not include disbursements. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.

We have partnered with Haines Watts, one of the UK’s top 20 Chartered Accountant firms, who specialise in providing annual accounting and tax services to new businesses.

Within 48 hours of your company being incorporated, Haines Watts will contact you to arrange a free consultation, which can be in person, by telephone or skype. The purpose of the consultation is to introduce their services to you, and also provide you with an opportunity to obtain some free advice on tax and accounting.

Haines Watts have developed affordable accountancy products for micro and small businesses, which also include the free of use of Kashflow accountancy software.

Business finances can often be complex, so having an experienced accountant to look after your accounts and taxation matters can be invaluable for a new business.

Please note: You should negotiate your fees with Haines Watts directly.

We have partnered with Haines Watts, one of the UK’s top 20 Chartered Accountant firms, who specialise in providing annual accounting and tax services to new businesses.

Within 48 hours of your company being incorporated, Haines Watts will contact you to arrange a free consultation, which can be in person, by telephone or skype. The purpose of the consultation is to introduce their services to you, and also provide you with an opportunity to obtain some free advice on tax and accounting.

Haines Watts have developed affordable accountancy products for micro and small businesses, which also include the free of use of Kashflow accountancy software.

Business finances can often be complex, so having an experienced accountant to look after your accounts and taxation matters can be invaluable for a new business.

Please note: You should negotiate your fees with Haines Watts directly.