Yes. You do not need to live in the UK, or hold UK citizenship, to set up a UK private limited company. An overseas parent company can also own it outright, which is how most international groups set up a UK subsidiary.
You do need a UK registered office address, at least one director and one shareholder, and identity checks for the people who run and control the company. Registering the company gives no one the right to live or work in the UK, so if you plan to send staff over, the visa question needs its own plan.
Go deeperHow we set up UK subsidiaries for overseas parent companies.
Set up a UK subsidiary →What do you need to register a UK company?
A company name that is not already taken, at least one director who is an individual aged 16 or over, at least one shareholder, a UK registered office address and a registered email address. You also describe what the company does using a standard activity code, and give details of anyone with significant control. The Companies House fee is £100 online.
Can an overseas company own a UK company outright?
Yes. The overseas parent can hold every share, making the UK company a wholly owned subsidiary. The parent is then listed on the public register as the company with significant control. This is the most common structure for overseas groups, because it keeps UK liabilities inside a separate UK company.
How do identity checks work for overseas directors?
Since November 2025, every director and person with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House, and a company cannot be registered until its first directors have done so. Directors with a biometric passport can usually verify online through GOV.UK One Login. Others verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, a firm registered with Companies House to carry out the checks.
Do you need a UK address or a UK bank account?
You need a UK registered office address, where official post can be delivered and handled. A PO box is not allowed, so overseas companies normally use a provider. A UK bank account is not a legal requirement, but customers, suppliers and payroll make one essential in practice, and opening one is often the slowest step for overseas owners.
Does registering a company let you live or work in the UK?
No. Owning or registering a UK company gives no right to live or work here. If you plan to send staff to the UK, the company will usually need a sponsor licence first. See whether buying or setting up a business gets you a visa.
Sources: Companies House fees, GOV.UK · UK Expansion Worker visa, GOV.UK
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