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Can I register a UK limited company if I do not live in the UK?

Yes. You can set up a UK limited company, however, you need to be 16 years old or over and not be a non-discharged bankrupt. You will also need a UK registered office, which must be a physical address in the UK.

Do I have to use the Non-Residents Packages?

No, you can form your company using any of our company formation packages, however, the Non-Residents Packages provide you with a full set of address services that you will need to set up and run your company. They are also great value for money.

What is a registered office address?

A registered office is the official address of a UK limited company, where all official government mail from Companies House and HMRC will be sent. It must be a physical address in the UK, however, your company does not need to carry out its business or trade from this address.

If you don’t have a suitable UK address to use as your registered office, don’t worry, the Non-Residents Packages include a registered office, service address and business (trading) address.

What is a service address?

Company directors, shareholders, secretaries and PSCs (Persons with Significant Control) are required to provide a service address when setting up a UK limited company. This address is used by Companies House and HMRC for official correspondence with company officers and shareholders.

Unlike the registered office address, the service address does not need to be in the UK, so you can use your residential address; however, it will be placed on the public record at Companies House.

Will my mail be forwarded to me overseas?

Yes. All mail will be forwarded to your chosen correspondence address, anywhere in the world. The cost of forwarding mail to you will be the Royal Mail postal charge plus a 15% handling fee.

How much will the Non-Residents Package cost after the first year?

The Non-Residents Packages are company formation packages, and so they do not renew, however, there are renewable services within the package:

• The Non-Residents Package: If you choose to renew the three address services, the cost will be £152.00 +VAT per year.

• The Non-Residents Plus Package: If you choose to renew the three address services, the Business Telephone Number and the Full Company Secretary Service, the cost will be £361.98 +VAT per year.

Are there any extra costs?

The only additional costs, over and above the cost of the Non-Residents Packages, will be the Royal Mail postal charges (plus 15% handling fee) incurred in forwarding your mail.

Can I open a UK business bank account?

Opening a UK business bank account as a non-UK resident is often a difficult process; however, we have partnered with Wise to provide our customers with international business banking.

We have included an invitation to sign up for a Wise business account in our Non-Residents Packages, where you can create an account and get access to the following bank details to receive and hold money in over 50 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 Wise Business Account provides worldwide coverage, allowing you to send money to 70+ countries, and receive and hold 50+ 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 Wise Business Account.

Do I need to provide proof of ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check proof of ID and address, including ourselves.

Don't worry - the likelihood is you will not have to do anything, as 90% of our customers successfully pass our digital ID checks.

If you don't pass our digital ID check, do not worry - almost all of our customers are able to provide their proof of ID and address via our Credas App. For more information, see here.

After I have formed my company – do I get any support from Rapid Formations?

Yes. As a client of Rapid Formations, you will get free support by telephone, email or live chat for the lifetime of your company.

You will also have free access to our Online Customer Portal where you can make changes to your company, file updates and manage your address service renewals.

Will you file my annual accounts?

We are company formation agents and not chartered accountants, therefore we are not able to prepare and file a company’s annual accounts.

We do, however, include a free introduction and consultation with a leading firm of chartered accountants in London – as part of the Non-Residents Packages.

This free consultation can be carried out by Skype, telephone or face-to-face at the accountant’s London offices.

Please note: you should agree accountancy fees directly with the firm of chartered accountants.