Updated for 2025 UK legal requirements (Companies House reforms, registered email, lawful purpose confirmation, appropriate registered office rules, and identity verification rollout).

Starting a UK company as a non-resident is fully possible, but the process has become more structured due to major Companies House reforms. This guide is designed to be practical, step-by-step, and aligned with current UK requirements --- while also showing how DhruviInfinity.com can help you prepare the information you'll need before you file.

If you're based in India (or any country outside the UK) and want a UK Ltd for a SaaS, agency, consulting business, or global e-commerce brand, this guide will walk you through the full path from idea validation to incorporation and compliance.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for:

  • Non-UK residents (including Indian nationals) who want to incorporate a UK company remotely

  • Founders building SaaS products, agencies, digital services, e-commerce, consulting, or global brands

  • Entrepreneurs who want UK credibility and access to international business infrastructure (banking, payment gateways, invoices in GBP)

This guide focuses on the most common and founder-friendly structure:

  • Private company limited by shares (Ltd)

Why incorporate in the UK as a non-resident

Global credibility

A UK Ltd can improve trust with international partners, clients, and platforms. Many payment providers and B2B customers view the UK company registry as transparent and reliable.

Access to financial services

Once incorporated, many non-residents can use fintech or banking options that support UK-registered businesses (subject to KYC/AML and provider rules).

Payment gateways and billing

A UK company can make it easier to integrate services such as Stripe or PayPal (again, subject to onboarding rules, KYC, and business model).

A structured compliance environment

The UK system is strict but predictable: annual confirmation statements, accounts, and corporation tax. If you follow the rules, you can operate legally and scale.

What changed in UK company law (2024--2025)

The UK introduced major Companies House reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). These changes affect incorporation and ongoing compliance.

1) Registered email address is required

Companies must provide and maintain a registered email address used for Companies House communication.

2) Lawful purpose confirmation

At incorporation (and later via confirmation statements), companies must confirm the company is formed for a lawful purpose.

3) Registered office must be an "appropriate address"

Your registered office must be suitable for receiving official mail and cannot be a PO Box. It must be an address where documents can be delivered and acknowledged.

4) Identity verification rollout (from late 2025)

Companies House is introducing identity verification for directors/PSCs and related roles. In practice, this means founders should expect to verify identity and use personal codes where required.

Practical takeaway: In 2025, a "quick incorporation" is still possible, but only if you prepare the required information properly and avoid address/email/identity mistakes.

Before you register: validate your business idea

Incorporation is not validation. It's only the legal shell. Before you register, you should know:

  • What problem you solve

  • Who the customer is

  • Whether the market and country environment supports the idea

  • Whether competition is manageable

  • Whether you can realistically price, acquire customers, and deliver value

Use DhruviInfinity.com to validate your idea first

Our platform can do this in a structured way:

Suggested flow:

  1. Fast external viability triage → early "go / pivot / stop" signals

  2. Country analysis (PESTEL) → understand regulatory and economic fit

  3. Industry analysis (Porter's Five Forces) → validate competitive pressure

  4. Only then unlock internal design and planning tools

You can also link to our platform page:

Step-by-step: register a UK Ltd as a non-resident

This section is the core incorporation process.

Step 1: Choose a compliant company name

Your name must follow UK rules (not too similar to existing names, not misleading, and avoid sensitive/restricted terms unless permission exists).

Do both checks:

  • Companies House availability checker (official)

  • Our in-app checker for stronger UX and guidance.

Tip for founders:
If you plan to operate globally, check:

  • brand name availability

  • domain availability

  • social handles

  • and avoid names that imply regulated activity (e.g., bank/insurance) unless you actually have approvals.

Step 2: Confirm your business structure

For most non-resident founders, a private company limited by shares (Ltd) is the standard choice.

Why "Ltd" fits most startups

  • Limited liability for owners (in most cases)

  • Simple share structure for co-founders/investors

  • Familiar to banks and service providers

Alternatives:

  • LLP (often used for professional partnerships)

  • Sole trader (not a company; no limited liability)

Step 3: Decide your registered office address (UK only)

A registered office address is legally required and becomes publicly visible on the Companies House register.

Key rule (2025)

The address must be an appropriate address where official documents can be delivered and acknowledged. PO Boxes are not valid.

Options for non-residents:

  • Use a trusted UK address (if you have one)

  • Use a registered office service / virtual office provider Hoxton Mix

  • Use a director service address (for privacy)

Practical advice:
Choose this carefully. Poor addresses cause delays and compliance risk.

Step 4: Provide a registered email address

In 2025, companies must provide a registered email address for Companies House communications.

Best practice:

  • Use a dedicated company email (e.g., compliance@yourcompany.com)

  • Ensure you can access it long-term

  • Avoid personal inboxes if you plan to scale with a team

Step 5: Identify directors, shareholders, and PSCs

Directors

  • You need at least one director

  • Directors must meet eligibility requirements and (in the new regime) be ready for identity verification steps where required.

Shareholders

  • You need at least one shareholder

  • The director and shareholder can be the same person.

PSCs (People with Significant Control)

A PSC is typically someone who:

  • owns more than 25% of shares

  • has more than 25% of voting rights

  • or otherwise controls the company

You must provide accurate PSC details (or state that none exist if that is legally correct).

Step 6: Decide your share structure (Statement of Capital)

You need to define:

  • share class (often "Ordinary")

  • number of shares issued

  • nominal value

  • rights (voting, dividends, distributions)

Founder-friendly example:

  • 1 share issued to the founder at £1 nominal value (simple solo founder setup)

  • or 100 shares split between co-founders for cleaner percentages

Important:
Do not treat shares casually --- share structure affects ownership, dividends, and future investment.

Step 7: Prepare articles of association (Model Articles are common)

UK companies use:

  • Articles of Association (company rules)

  • Memorandum of Association (subscriber intent at formation)

Most founders use Model Articles, unless you have special investor terms or complex governance.

Step 8: Confirm lawful purpose

At incorporation, you'll confirm the company is formed for a lawful purpose. This is part of the modern Companies House reforms.

This is not just a "tick box". It's a legal statement.

Step 9: Incorporate the company using the official service

Most founders incorporate online.

What you submit during incorporation

You provide:

  • company name

  • registered office address

  • registered email

  • directors + shareholders

  • PSC details (if any)

  • SIC code(s)

  • share structure/statement of capital

  • articles/memorandum (often via online flow)

  • lawful purpose confirmation

Step 10: Save your Company Registration Number (CRN) and documents

After successful incorporation, you'll receive:

  • Company Registration Number (CRN)

  • Certificate of Incorporation

  • Public record entry on Companies House

These are required for:

  • bank/fintech onboarding

  • payment gateways

  • business contracts

  • invoicing and compliance

After incorporation: what you must do next

Incorporation is step zero. Here's what comes next.

1) Register for Corporation Tax

UK companies typically must register for Corporation Tax within the timelines once they begin trading.

registration_status.png

2) Open a business bank account/fintech account

Non-residents often use fintech first (subject to KYC/AML). What you'll typically need:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • CRN
  • director identity documents
  • proof of address (often required by providers)
  • sometimes business plan/website/invoices

3) Set up payment gateways

Stripe/PayPal onboarding varies. Expect:

  • identity verification
  • proof of business activity
  • sometimes product/service description and website review

4) Ongoing compliance: confirmation statement, accounts, tax

A UK company must stay compliant:
- Confirmation statement (annual)
- Accounts filings
- Corporation tax returns
- Maintain registered office and registered email
- Track director/PSC reporting obligations

timeline_calendar.png

Documents checklist for non-residents

Separate two concepts clearly:

A) What Companies House needs to incorporate

Usually: statutory details (names, addresses, roles, share capital, SIC, registered office/email, etc.)

B) What identity verification and private providers may require

Often:

  • passport
  • proof of address (bank statement/utility)
  • sometimes selfie/video KYC

C) What banks/payment gateways require

Typically strict:

  • passport + proof of address
  • evidence of business (website, invoices, contracts)
  • sometimes source of funds checks

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Using a weak registered office address

Fix: Choose an "appropriate address" service you trust.

Mistake 2: Using a temporary email for registered email

Fix: Use a stable mailbox you can access for years.

Mistake 3: PSC misunderstanding

Fix: Your app should compute PSC likelihood based on share/vote allocation and ask the right questions.

Mistake 4: Rushing share structure

Fix: Provide founder templates inside DhruviInfinity.com and explain investor readiness.

Mistake 5: Not planning compliance

Fix: Build an in-app compliance calendar + reminders dashboard.

FAQ

Can a non-resident register a UK Ltd?

Yes. Many non-residents incorporate UK companies remotely. The main work is providing correct statutory information and meeting identity/KYC requirements for services you use.

Do I need a UK address?

You need a UK registered office address. Many non-residents use a registered office provider.

Do I need to visit the UK?

No, incorporation can be done online, but providers may require identity verification/KYC.

Is a UK visa required?

A visa is not required purely to incorporate a company online. Visa requirements relate to living/working physically in the UK.

What should I do first: incorporate or validate the idea?

Validate first. Incorporation is a legal wrapper; validation prevents wasting money/time.
Fast external viability triage