Setting up a company in the UK from overseas is legal, common and can be done entirely online. Founders in the UAE, India and Pakistan can be directors and shareholders of a UK limited company without living in the UK or holding a visa. You need a UK registered office address, verified identity for every director and person with significant control, and a clear plan for tax and banking in both countries.
This guide walks through the process step by step, with notes on the questions we hear most often from founders in these three countries.
Can I set up a UK company if I live in the UAE, India or Pakistan?
Yes. UK company law has no nationality or residency test for directors or shareholders. Every private limited company needs:
- At least one director who is an individual, aged 16 or over
- At least one shareholder (this can be the same person)
- A registered office address in the UK
- Identity verification for each director and PSC
A PSC, or person with significant control, is anyone who owns more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or otherwise controls the company. You can read the official overview of setting up a limited company on gov.uk.
For a fuller explanation of the director rules, see does a UK company need a UK director.
What is the step-by-step process for setting up a company in the UK from overseas?
1. Choose your structure
Decide who will be director, who will own shares and in what proportions. Decide whether shares are held personally or through a company in your home country, such as a UAE free zone company or an Indian private limited company. This choice affects PSC reporting, tax and, in some cases, home-country rules on overseas investment. Keystone's incorporation includes a structure review to catch these questions early.
2. Check your company name
The name must be unique and must not include sensitive words without permission. It must end in "Limited" or "Ltd".
3. Arrange a UK registered office
Your company needs an "appropriate address" in the UK where post will come to the company's attention. A PO Box alone is not allowed. Our London registered office is £50 a month at 167-169 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF.
4. Verify identity
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), new directors and PSCs must verify their identity before incorporation, from 18 November 2025. This is done through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), a firm registered with Companies House to verify identity. Overseas founders usually find the ACSP route easier, as it does not depend on UK documents.
5. File the incorporation
The application is filed with Companies House. The fee from 1 February 2026 is £100 online, £124 on paper or £156 for same-day. Once approved, you receive a certificate of incorporation and a company number.
6. Register for tax
A UK company must register for Corporation Tax with HMRC. You may also need to register for VAT, depending on turnover and what you sell. See gov.uk Corporation Tax.
7. Open a bank or payment account
This step depends on the provider, not the agent. Read our guide on UK company formation with a bank account.
What documents will I need?
Requirements vary by verification route, but founders should usually have:
- Valid passport - Notes: The main identity document for most overseas founders
- Proof of residential address - Notes: A recent utility bill, bank statement or tenancy agreement, often required by banks and agents
- Business description - Notes: What the company will do and where its customers are
- Shareholder details - Notes: Names, nationalities, addresses and share amounts
- Corporate shareholder documents - Notes: If a company owns shares, its registration documents and owners
If documents are not in English, you may need certified translations. Ask before you start so there are no delays.
How is a UK company taxed if I live abroad?
A company incorporated in the UK is normally UK tax resident. It pays Corporation Tax at 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% on profits over £250,000, with marginal relief in between. See Corporation Tax rates.
Your personal tax is separate. Salary or dividends you take may be taxed in the country where you live, under its own rules. Some points to raise with a local adviser:
- UAE founders. The UAE has its own corporate tax regime. If the UK company is managed from the UAE, ask an adviser how residence and treaty rules apply.
- Indian founders. Indian residents investing overseas are subject to Indian foreign exchange and overseas investment rules. Speak to an Indian chartered accountant before sending funds.
- Pakistani founders. Pakistan also has rules on outward investment and foreign currency. Confirm the position with a local adviser before you subscribe for shares.
The UK has double tax agreements with many countries, which aim to stop the same income being taxed twice. How they apply depends on your facts, so this guide is not tax advice.
Do I need a visa to run a UK company from abroad?
No visa is needed to own or direct a UK company from overseas. A company does not give you a right to live or work in the UK. If you plan to move to the UK, check the immigration rules on gov.uk visas and immigration separately.
What are the common mistakes overseas founders make?
- Using an address that is not appropriate. This can lead to the company being struck off or mail being missed.
- Getting the PSC details wrong. Indirect ownership through a holding company is often reported incorrectly. Read registering a UK limited company from overseas for more on this.
- Assuming a bank account comes with the company. It does not.
- Forgetting the first deadlines. The first confirmation statement is due within 12 months plus 14 days of incorporation and costs £50 online.
- Ignoring home-country rules. Your local tax and currency rules still apply to you.
What happens after the company is formed?
Once your company exists, it has ongoing duties. These include an annual confirmation statement, annual accounts, a Corporation Tax return and keeping the registers and PSC details up to date. Our Expat Hub brings together guidance for overseas directors, and our confirmation statement service keeps that filing on track.
Frequently asked questions
Can I form a UK company from Dubai without visiting the UK?
Yes. The whole process can be done online, including identity verification through an ACSP. Keystone works online only.
Can an Indian or Pakistani company own a UK company?
Yes. A foreign company can be the sole shareholder. The individuals who control that foreign company may need to be shown as PSCs, and home-country investment rules may apply.
How long does it take?
Online applications are often processed quickly once identity is verified, but Companies House and identity checks set the pace, so timescales cannot be guaranteed.
How much does it cost to set up a UK company from overseas?
Keystone's incorporation is £600 one-off, including the Companies House fee, VAT, ID verification and a structure review. A registered office is £50 a month. See pricing.
Do I need a UK accountant?
You are not legally required to use one, but you must file UK accounts and tax returns. Most overseas founders appoint a UK accountant.
Talk to a named UK specialist
If you are in the UAE, India, Pakistan or elsewhere and ready to start, a named UK-based specialist at Keystone can review your plans and handle the formation through our UK company formation service. You may also want to read how to choose a UK company formation agent.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Start your enquiry or call 0330 043 2654.
This article is general information about UK filing requirements, not legal or tax advice. Requirements change - we will confirm what applies to your company before anything is filed.
