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International Formation

UK Private Limited Company (Ltd)

Incorporate with Companies House from the US. No UK residency required. London registered office, director filings, and compliance calendar included.

$1,299

All-inclusive — no hidden fees

What Is a UK Ltd?

A UK Private Limited Company (Ltd) is the most common business structure in the United Kingdom, roughly equivalent to a US LLC in terms of liability protection. Shareholders' liability is limited to the value of their shares, shielding personal assets from business debts.

Unlike a US LLC, a UK Ltd has a formal share structure and is governed by the Companies Act 2006. It must file annual accounts and a Confirmation Statement with Companies House, the UK's corporate registry. The company's directors, shareholders, and registered office address are part of the public record.

For US founders, a UK Ltd provides a legitimate legal presence in the United Kingdom and the broader European market — critical for businesses selling to UK consumers, contracting with UK enterprises, or operating in regulated industries like fintech and e-commerce.

Requirements

Directors

Minimum 1 director. No UK residency requirement. US citizens and residents of any country are eligible. Must be at least 16 years old.

Shareholders

Minimum 1 shareholder. Can be the same person as the director. Corporate shareholders are permitted. No maximum limit.

Registered Office

A physical address in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland is required. We provide a London registered office address included in your package.

SIC Code

Every UK company must declare at least one SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code describing its business activity. We help you identify the correct code during the formation process.

What's Included

Companies House incorporation filing
London registered office address (1 year)
All government fees included (registration + duty)
Director and secretary filings
PSC (Persons of Significant Control) declaration
HMRC Corporation Tax registration
Mail forwarding from registered office
Compliance calendar with all UK deadlines
UK banking guidance for non-residents
Certificate of Incorporation delivered to your portal

How It Works

1

Purchase

Select the UK Ltd formation package and complete checkout.

2

Complete Your Form

Fill out the activation form with company name, director details, SIC code, and share structure.

3

We Incorporate

We prepare and file your incorporation documents with Companies House and register with HMRC.

4

Receive Documents

Certificate of Incorporation, company number, and all formation documents delivered to your portal. Typically 1 to 5 business days.

Pricing

$1,299 one-time

All-inclusive formation package. No hidden fees. Government filing fees, registered office, and HMRC registration are all included in the price.

UK-based domestic agents typically charge between 12 and 70 GBP for the filing itself, but that does not include a registered office, mail forwarding, HMRC registration, or any guidance on compliance obligations. By the time you source each component separately and navigate the Companies House portal, you will spend hours of research and coordination. Our package handles everything end-to-end.

Who Should Incorporate in the UK?

E-Commerce Sellers

Selling to UK or EU consumers? A UK Ltd provides the legal presence required for VAT registration, UK payment processors, and consumer trust.

Fintech & SaaS

UK-based financial services and SaaS companies benefit from the UK's regulatory framework, access to London's financial ecosystem, and proximity to the EU market.

UK Client Contracts

Many UK enterprises prefer or require contracting with a UK-registered entity. A Ltd makes procurement straightforward for your UK clients.

International Credibility

A Companies House registration carries weight globally. It signals that your business is established, regulated, and operating under a well-understood legal framework.

Important Tax Considerations

UK Corporation Tax rates range from 19% (for profits under 50,000 GBP) to 25% (for profits over 250,000 GBP), with marginal relief in between. Companies must register with HMRC and file an annual Corporation Tax return (CT600).

If your UK Ltd exceeds the VAT registration threshold (currently 90,000 GBP in taxable turnover), you must register for VAT and charge it on UK sales.

For US citizens and tax residents, owning a foreign corporation triggers additional US tax obligations. You may be subject to GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income), Subpart F income rules, and must file Form 5471 (Information Return of US Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations) annually.

Tax Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. US founders forming international entities should consult with an international tax advisor or CPA experienced in cross-border taxation before incorporating. Tax obligations vary based on individual circumstances, entity structure, and applicable tax treaties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a US citizen be the sole director of a UK Ltd?
Yes. There is no requirement for directors of a UK limited company to be UK residents. A US citizen can serve as the sole director. The company must maintain a UK registered office address — which we provide — but the director can be located anywhere in the world.
Do I need a UK bank account?
Not immediately. You can operate the company initially through your US bank account or an international business account. However, if you plan to transact regularly in GBP or with UK customers, a UK business bank account is strongly recommended. We provide guidance on UK banking options that accept non-resident directors, including digital banks like Wise Business and Revolut Business.
What are the ongoing compliance obligations?
UK limited companies must file an annual Confirmation Statement (formerly Annual Return) with Companies House, file annual accounts, maintain a PSC (Persons of Significant Control) register, and file a Corporation Tax return with HMRC. If the company has employees or exceeds the VAT threshold, additional registrations are required. Our compliance calendar keeps you on track with every deadline.
How much does a UK Ltd cost to maintain annually?
Companies House charges a small annual filing fee for the Confirmation Statement. A London registered office typically costs between 100 and 300 GBP per year. Accountancy fees for annual accounts and tax returns generally range from 500 to 2,000 GBP depending on complexity. Our renewal packages start at competitive rates and include registered office and compliance monitoring.
Can I use my US address as the company address?
No. UK law requires every limited company to have a registered office address in the jurisdiction where it is incorporated — England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. This address appears on the public Companies House register. We provide a London registered office address included in our formation package.
What happens after incorporation?
After Companies House approves the incorporation (typically 1 to 5 business days), you receive a Certificate of Incorporation, your company number, and all formation documents in your secure portal. We also register you with HMRC for Corporation Tax, provide your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) when issued, and send you a compliance calendar with all upcoming deadlines.

Ready to incorporate in the UK?

London registered office, Companies House filing, and compliance calendar — all handled for you.

Form Your UK Ltd — $1,299
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