But Companies House registration is just the opening move. US founders who stop there often get stuck later, with a bank that won't open an account, a tax preparer who's never seen Form 5471, or a registered office they forgot to renew.
At last count, 2,695 US companies held UK branch registrations, more than any other foreign nation, out of 14,299 overseas companies with a UK presence, according to Companies House's own register activity data. The right formation partner handles the registration, the banking introduction, and the ongoing US-UK compliance in one motion. Here's how to find one.
Key Takeaways
- UK formation for US founders needs more than a Companies House filing: non-resident banking and cross-border tax matter too
- No UK-resident director is required, but a registered UK office address is mandatory
- US owners face Form 5471, GILTI, and Subpart F obligations that a UK-only agent won't flag
- Pricing typically runs £50–£350, based on how much ongoing compliance is included
- The strongest providers combine non-resident KYC support with long-term US-UK tax coordination
Overview of Company Formation Services in the UK for US Businesses
A UK company formation service is an authorised Companies House agent that files the paperwork to register a Ltd, LLP, or branch on your behalf. For a US founder, that's the easy part.
The harder part is finding a provider who also understands:
- Non-resident KYC: identity verification banks and Companies House now require from overseas directors
- US tax obligations: owning a foreign company triggers reporting requirements most UK accountants rarely handle
- Cross-border banking: most UK high-street banks still expect a UK-resident applicant
US-owned UK entities keep climbing. American companies account for a large share of UK branch registrations, and that trend extends to new subsidiaries as more US founders pursue EU-adjacent market access after Brexit.
The providers below were shortlisted for their ability to support US founders — not just UK residents forming a company from a London postcode.
Top Company Formation Services in the UK for US Businesses
This ranking prioritizes non-resident support, cross-border tax and compliance depth, and remote onboarding capability over pure formation speed. Speed matters less if you can't open a bank account six weeks later.
VJM Global
VJM Global is a chartered accountancy and cross-border business services firm with more than 30 years in the field. It forms UK entities for US businesses and keeps the same CPAs and Chartered Accountants on file for Corporation Tax, PAYE payroll, and Controlled Foreign Corporation and GILTI mitigation—not a hand-off after you receive the certificate.
- 95% client retention rate, with 500+ American business owners served
- Bundled UK Ltd, LLP, or branch formation alongside accounting, VAT, payroll, and Corporation Tax filing (CT600)
- International tax structuring for founders juggling US and UK filing obligations
| Service Scope | UK entity formation paired with ongoing accounting, tax compliance, and payroll for US-owned entities |
| Best For | US companies wanting one partner for both UK incorporation and long-term US-UK tax coordination |
| Support Model | Consistent team across formation and post-formation compliance, rather than a hand-off between departments |
1st Formations (Non-Residents Package)
1st Formations built a dedicated Non-Residents Package for founders without a UK address, and it's become one of the most-reviewed formation agents in the country.
- £199.99, including the £100 Companies House government fee
- Bundles a London registered office and director service address
- Backed by 4,926 Google reviews at a 4.9/5 average
| Pricing | Non-Residents Package with tiered add-ons for VAT and PAYE registration |
| Formation Time | Usually within 24 hours, subject to Companies House workload |
| Best For | US founders wanting straightforward, self-service registration with a London address |
Osome
Osome pairs formation with an AI-assisted bookkeeping team, popular with founders who want to stay hands-off after incorporation.
- Foreign-founder package listed around £349 + VAT, including the government filing fee
- Recurring monthly accounting subscription follows the initial formation
- Digital incorporation with share certificates issued electronically
| Pricing | Formation fee plus a recurring monthly bookkeeping subscription |
| Formation Time | Often within 3-6 working hours with the incorporation service tier |
| Best For | US founders wanting ongoing bookkeeping and VAT handled without hiring in-house staff |
Commenda
Commenda is US-headquartered, which shows in how it's built: a single dashboard for founders juggling entities across multiple countries, not just the UK.
- Starting price around £49 for Ltd formation, business account access, and a compliance dashboard
- Automated alerts synced to Companies House and HMRC deadlines
- Formation available in the UK, US, EU, Singapore, and Hong Kong from one login
| Pricing | Tiered plans covering Ltd registration, banking, and compliance dashboard access |
| Global Reach | UK, US, EU, Singapore, and Hong Kong entity formation from one platform |
| Best For | US-based scaleups needing a UK entity alongside multi-country compliance tracking |
Companies Made Simple
Companies Made Simple has processed over a million UK incorporations and runs a physical London office, something purely digital competitors can't match.
- Non-Residents Package: £199.99 + VAT, including the £100 filing fee
- One year of international tracked mail forwarding included
- Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5 across roughly 5,000 reviews
| Pricing | Formation fee inclusive of the Companies House government fee, with optional registered office add-ons |
| Formation Time | As little as 3 working hours, workload permitting |
| Best For | US founders wanting an established brand with in-person London meeting room access |
Key Considerations for US Businesses Forming a UK Company
Formation is the fast part. What happens after determines whether the structure actually works for a US owner.
Choosing the Right Entity Type
A UK Ltd, an LLP, and a branch are treated very differently on a US tax return. Under IRS check-the-box rules, a foreign eligible entity where every owner has limited liability defaults to corporate treatment. A branch is simply the US company operating directly overseas and typically requires Form 8858 instead.
- A one-owner UK Ltd may elect disregarded status on Form 8832
- A multi-owner UK LLP commonly elects partnership treatment to match its UK tax transparency
- Get the election timing wrong and you're stuck with unwanted corporate treatment for years
US Reporting: Form 5471 and GILTI
Owning 10% or more of a UK company as a US shareholder can trigger Form 5471 filing categories, and owning a Controlled Foreign Corporation (generally more than 50% US-shareholder owned) brings GILTI and Subpart F income inclusions into play. Miss the filing and the base penalty is $10,000 per foreign corporation, per year, before additional penalties accrue.
The Registered Office Isn't Optional
The UK doesn't require a UK-resident director. It does require a UK registered office address for every company, full stop. Since identity verification became compulsory for directors in November 2025, this address service has become a core purchase, not an upsell, for any US founder.
Banking as a Non-Resident
This is where founders get stuck. Traditional high-street banks rarely work for non-residents:
- Barclays requires at least one applicant with UK residency
- HSBC's small business account specifies UK tax residents
That leaves EMI and fintech providers like Wise Business and Revolut Business as the realistic path. They'll verify a fully incorporated UK company remotely, but eligibility still depends on director residency and industry type.
Repatriating Profits Under the Tax Treaty
Under the US-UK Double Taxation Convention, the UK generally applies no withholding tax on ordinary company dividends anyway. Treaty positioning still matters for ownership structure.
A qualifying US parent owning at least 80% of voting power can access a 0% dividend rate under Article 10 if it meets Article 23's limitation-on-benefits tests, versus the standard 5% or 15% ceilings. Get this checked before you set a dividend policy, not after.
How We Chose the Best Providers for US Businesses
The most common mistake we see: founders pick the cheapest formation-only agent, then discover months later it has no non-resident KYC support or ongoing US-UK compliance capability.
We weighted providers on:
- Non-resident onboarding — practical ID verification for a US-based founder, without dead ends or local-agent workarounds
- Banking access — real paths to an account for founders who lack a UK address, not only a generic intro email
- Post-formation compliance and tax support — ongoing help after the certificate, not filing-only packages
- Verified client feedback — reviews weighted towards international or non-resident experiences
Formation speed came last. A same-day certificate means little if the same provider can't help six months later when a Confirmation Statement or a GILTI question comes up.
Conclusion
The best UK company formation service for a US business is the one that supports the entire lifecycle: registration, banking access, and the ongoing US-UK tax coordination that follows.
Before committing, check:
- Non-resident banking support
- Depth of post-formation compliance work
- Whether the team understands US filing obligations tied to foreign ownership
If you want a single partner handling UK entity formation and the accounting, payroll, and tax compliance that follows, VJM Global is worth a conversation before you file anything with Companies House.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does company formation in the UK cost?
The Companies House online filing fee is £100. Agent service fees typically range from £50 to £350, with non-resident packages costing more due to registered address and KYC requirements.
Can non-residents form a company in the UK?
Yes. US citizens can form and own a UK Ltd company remotely, provided the company maintains a UK registered office address. No UK-resident director is required.
Do I need to visit the UK in person to register a company?
No. Registration is fully digital. Identity verification uses documents such as a biometric passport and can be completed online.
Can a US company or LLC own a UK limited company?
Yes, a US entity can be a shareholder of a UK Ltd. Review the US tax treatment of that structure first, since it affects how the entity is classified on your US return.
How long does it take to form a UK company from the US?
Most agents complete registration within a few hours to 24 hours once your identification documents are verified. Delays typically come from KYC checks, not the filing itself.
Will I need to pay UK corporation tax as a US owner?
Yes. A UK-incorporated company is generally liable for UK Corporation Tax on its profits at rates up to 25%, regardless of the owner's residency. That liability is separate from any US tax obligations.
