For non-residents
Start a UK company without living in the UK
You don't need to live in the UK, visit it or hold a UK visa. You need to be 18 or over, have a passport or national ID card and a proof of address, and give your company a UK registered office address. We do the rest online, wherever you are.
UK company formation for non-residents: the short answer
- No UK address, visa or visit needed. You can be the only director and shareholder.
- The government's Companies House fee is £100, paid once with your plan.
- Every director and person with significant control verifies their identity with Companies House. It's free on GOV.UK, or £50 per person (£99 Express) if we do it for you.
- Your company needs a UK registered office address. Use our London address, or your own address in the UK.
- It usually takes 3 to 5 business days with Express identity checks, or 5 to 7 with Standard, from when we have all your documents.
Need a US company instead? See US LLC for non-residents.
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How it works, step by step
Choose a name and a plan
Check your company name looks available, then pick the plan that fits. Higher plans include a London address and help with bank and payment accounts.
Verify your identity
Send a passport or national ID card and a proof of address for each director and person with significant control. UK law requires it.
We file your company
We prepare your company documents and file them with Companies House. Your certificate and documents arrive in your dashboard.
Open your accounts
We guide you to business and payment accounts that work with directors abroad, such as Wise, Payoneer and Stripe. Each provider makes its own decision.
What you'll need
Documents should be in English, or come with a certified English translation.
- A passport or national ID card for each director and person with significant control
- A recent proof of address for each of them
- Your company name
- A short description of what your company will do
After your company is set up
A UK company has a few yearly jobs: a confirmation statement to Companies House, annual accounts, and a Corporation Tax return to HMRC. It also registers for VAT once its sales pass the VAT threshold. We can do these for you, or you can use your own accountant.
See accountingWhy founders abroad choose Launchese
- Authorised Corporate Service Provider (AP020671), so we verify identities for Companies House ourselves
- Supervised by HMRC under the Money Laundering Regulations
- 4.7 on Trustpilot from 260+ reviews
- Founders from 100+ countries since 2019
- Help in English, Turkish, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese and Tagalog
- One team after set-up: London address, banking help, accounting and filings
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions founders outside the UK ask us most.
Who can be a director?
You need to be 18 or over to set up a company with Launchese. You can be from almost any country, you don't need to live in the UK or visit it, and you can be the only director and shareholder.
What documents do I need?
A passport or national ID card and a recent proof of address for every director and person with significant control, a short description of your business, and your company name. Documents should be in English, or come with a certified English translation.
How long does it take?
Usually 3 to 5 business days with Express identity checks, or 5 to 7 with Standard, counted from when we have all your documents. Companies House doesn't work at weekends, and we never promise a same-day company.
Do I need to visit the UK to open a business bank account?
No. Launchese partners with online banks that work with non-resident company directors. You will typically need proof of identity and proof of address to verify your account.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Each plan includes the services in the table. The £100 Companies House fee is the government's filing fee, shown separately and charged at checkout with no VAT. Every director and person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity: it's free if you do it yourself on GOV.UK, or £50 per person (£99 Express) if we do it for you. Your plan includes one person. Each extra person you add while we form your company costs £20. Adding shareholders once your company exists is a separate service: £110 for any number in one order. Optional extras, like apostilled documents or courier shipping, cost extra.
Can founders from every country apply?
Almost. Because of international rules, there is a short list of countries we can't serve. You can check it on our eligibility page.