But it isn't just a Companies House form. Founders also have to think about HMRC registration, the India-UK Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and FEMA/RBI rules on overseas investment, questions that rarely get answered in one place.
This guide walks through eligibility, structure choice, documents, the step-by-step registration process, costs, taxation, and ongoing compliance for Indian residents.
Key Takeaways
- Indian residents can register a UK Ltd company remotely, acting as sole director and shareholder, with no minimum share capital.
- Online incorporation costs £100 via Companies House and is typically approved within 24 hours.
- Investments crossing RBI's ownership thresholds must route through the Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) framework.
- After formation, expect Companies House filings, HMRC Corporation Tax registration, and VAT or PAYE if you hire or hit thresholds.
- VJM Global's international tax and FEMA teams help founders handle India-side ODI compliance alongside UK formation.
Can Indian Residents Register a Company in the UK?
Yes. There's no UK residency or nationality requirement for directors or shareholders. One person can be both the sole director and the sole shareholder of a UK private limited company. A few baseline rules apply:
- Directors must be at least 16 years old.
- A single shareholder can hold 100% of the company's shares.
- The entire registration happens online, so you never need to visit the UK in person.
- The company still needs a UK registered office address, even though the director lives in India. Here's the part many founders miss: the FEMA angle. Under RBI's Overseas Investment framework, acquiring equity in an unlisted foreign entity such as a UK Ltd counts as Overseas Direct Investment (ODI), regardless of the percentage held. Once a holding is classified as ODI, it stays ODI even if your stake later drops. From there, two practical rules matter:
- Report the investment through your Authorised Dealer bank using Form FC.
- Personal funding usually counts against the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) ceiling of USD 250,000 per financial year, as confirmed by the RBI's Overseas Investment framework. Check current RBI limits before transferring funds. They're revised periodically.
Choosing the Right UK Business Structure
Not every UK entity type suits a solo Indian founder. Here's how the three main options compare.
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
This is the default choice for most Indian founders working solo. A Ltd company:
- Allows one person to be both director and shareholder
- Limits personal liability to the value of shares held
- Is widely recognised by UK banks and payment processors like Stripe
Since there's no minimum capital requirement, a share can technically hold any value you assign it.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
A UK LLP only fits if you have a real business partner. For most solo Indian founders it adds friction:
- Needs at least two designated members at all times
- Puts UK Self Assessment obligations on non-resident individual members
- Creates extra filings without a clear upside for a one-person setup
Skip the LLP unless dual membership is genuine and ongoing.
Overseas Company / UK Establishment (Branch)
If you already run an Indian company and want a UK presence without forming a new entity, you can register a UK establishment instead.
Key points on this route:
- Requires a physical UK place of business
- Filing is due within a month of opening and costs £124
- Your Indian parent’s accounts go on the UK public register, with its legal form, head office, and insolvency status
Use a branch only when you need a UK footprint tied to the existing Indian company—and you accept that public disclosure.
Documents and Requirements for Registration
Before you start the Companies House application, gather:
- Passport scan for identity verification
- Proof of address in India (utility bill or bank statement)
- Director and shareholder details — full name, date of birth, nationality, and residential address for each person
You'll also need three technical filings:
- SIC code - identifies your company's business activity for the public register
- Statement of capital - declares how many shares exist and their value
- PSC declaration - identifies anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights as a Person with Significant Control
Identity verification update: Since November 2025, Companies House requires identity verification for all directors and PSCs, regardless of country. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider can complete this for applicants based anywhere, including India, according to Companies House's identity verification guidance.
You also need two practical items, both mandatory even if every founder lives in India:
- UK registered office address — a real street address, not a PO Box
- Registered email address — used for official Companies House correspondence
Step-by-Step Process to Register a UK Company from India
Follow these six steps from name check through to Corporation Tax registration:
- Check name availability - Search the Companies House register and the UK IPO trademark database to avoid conflicts.
- Appoint director(s), shareholder(s), and a PSC - Name at least one director and identify any Person with Significant Control (PSC). One person can fill all three roles if you're going solo.
- Arrange a UK registered office and registered email address - This has to be a genuine UK address capable of receiving post.
- File Form IN01 - Submit the memorandum and articles of association online through Companies House.
- Receive your certificate of incorporation - Along with your Company Registration Number (CRN) and authentication code.
- Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC - You'll receive a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) by post, typically in about 15 days, and often longer when you file from India.
Online filing is usually processed within 24 hours. Paper filing takes 8 to 10 working days and is the slower, higher-cost option.
Costs, Taxation and Ongoing Compliance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online incorporation | £100 |
| Paper incorporation | £124 |
| Confirmation statement (online) | £50/year |
| Confirmation statement (paper) | £110/year |
| Professional service fees | Vary by provider and scope |
| Corporation Tax uses a tiered system. Profits under £50,000 pay the small-profits rate of 19%. Profits over £250,000 pay the main rate of 25%. Figures in between get marginal relief, per HMRC's current Corporation Tax rates. | |
| You'll also need to register for VAT once taxable turnover crosses £90,000. |
The DTAA and POEM Question
The India-UK Double Taxation Avoidance Convention prevents you from paying tax twice on the same income. But there's a trap. If your UK company is effectively managed from India—meaning key decisions happen there—India's Place of Effective Management (POEM) rules could treat it as an Indian tax resident too. Get this assessed properly before assuming your UK company is only taxed in the UK. Ongoing filings to track:
- Annual confirmation statement (Companies House)
- Annual accounts
- CT600 Corporation Tax return
- VAT and PAYE returns, if applicable Dual UK–India filings are where specialist support matters most. VJM Global's chartered accountants handle UK Corporation Tax registration, UTR applications, and CT600 filing for Indian-owned entities. Its international tax team advises on DTAA positioning and FEMA/ODI reporting in India, so founders aren't juggling two regulatory systems alone.
Opening a UK Business Bank Account from India
Traditional banks like HSBC and Barclays often expect UK residency or in-person verification, which isn't practical if you're based in Mumbai. Fintech alternatives fill that gap:
- Wise Business - Online verification, though document requirements vary by country
- Revolut Business - Explicitly supports applicants based in India for UK company accounts
Before applying, have these ready:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Company Registration Number
- Proof of identity
- A clear business activity description
Having these documents prepared upfront speeds up approval. Most delays happen when applicants scramble for paperwork mid-application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register a company in the UK from India?
Yes, entirely remotely. There's no UK residency requirement for directors or shareholders, and online filing costs just £100 through Companies House.
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
Online incorporation is £100; paper filing is £124. After that, expect an annual confirmation statement fee of £50 (online).
What is required to register a company in the UK?
You'll need a passport scan, proof of Indian address, a UK registered office, a SIC code, and a PSC declaration for anyone holding over 25% ownership.
How long does company registration take in the UK?
Online applications are usually approved within 24 hours. Paper filings take 8 to 10 working days.
Do all UK companies have to be registered?
Limited companies and LLPs must register with Companies House. Sole traders only need to register with HMRC directly.
Is it worth being a Ltd company in the UK?
Limited liability, easier credibility with clients, and potential tax efficiency make it attractive, but it comes with more filing obligations than operating as a sole trader.
