Short answer: yes. You can register a UK company from Pakistan and own and run it without ever living in the UK. You need a UK registered office address, an identity check with Companies House, and the £100 government fee. Companies House usually approves a new company within 24–48 hours.
Who can register a UK company?
UK law does not require directors or shareholders to live in the UK or hold a UK visa. A company needs at least one director who is a real person aged 16 or over, at least one shareholder, and a UK registered office address.
You can be the only director and the only shareholder.
What changed in 2025–2026
- Identity verification is mandatory. Since 18 November 2025, every new director and person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity before the company is registered. You can do it free through GOV.UK One Login, or through an authorised agent. You get a personal code, and that code goes on the application.
- Fees went up on 1 February 2026. Registering a company online now costs £100, and the yearly confirmation statement costs £50.
What you need
- A passport for the identity check
- A residential address (kept private) and a service address (public)
- A company name, ending in “Limited” or “Ltd”
- A UK registered office address — this must be a real UK address where official mail can be received, not a PO box. Our packages include one for the first year.
- The business activity, so we can choose the right SIC code
Step by step: registering a UK company from Pakistan
- Check the company name against the Companies House register.
- Verify your identity with Companies House and keep your personal code.
- Choose the share structure — for most single founders, 1 to 100 ordinary shares of £1.
- File the incorporation online with Companies House.
- Receive the Certificate of Incorporation — usually within 24–48 hours.
- Get your UTR. HMRC posts your company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference to the registered office, usually within a few weeks. We forward it to you.
- Register for Corporation Tax once the company starts trading.
- Apply for banking and payments — read the banking section below first.
Tip: the identity check is a new step, so leave time for it. Do it first, before anything else, and make sure the name on your One Login matches your passport exactly.
Want us to set this up for you?
USA LLC from $140 or UK Ltd from £150, plus government fees. Pay 50% now, 50% when your documents arrive.
How much it costs
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Companies House registration (online) | £100 | Once |
| GlobalFormations service fee | From £150 (Basic) | Once |
| Registered office address | Included for year 1 | Every year |
| Confirmation statement | £50 | Every year |
| Annual accounts + Corporation Tax return | Accountant’s fee, varies | Every year |
See all packages on the UK company formation page.
Yearly filings
- Confirmation statement — once a year, confirming the company’s details (£50).
- Annual accounts — filed with Companies House.
- Company Tax Return (CT600) — filed with HMRC. UK Corporation Tax is 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief in between.
- VAT — only once turnover passes the registration threshold, or if you choose to register.
UK accounts are public, and directors’ names are public. If privacy matters a lot to you, compare with a US LLC in USA LLC vs UK Ltd.
Banking and payments from Pakistan: the honest picture
- PayPal does not allow accounts for people living in Pakistan, and Stripe does not support Pakistan-registered businesses.
- A UK company lets you apply to providers that support UK businesses. They still review the owner — your identity, where you live, your website and business model. Approval is never guaranteed.
- UK high-street banks usually expect UK residence or an in-person visit.
- Fintech business accounts review non-resident directors case by case. Some Pakistani founders are approved, others are not.
We tell you before you pay which options suit your situation. More in PayPal or Stripe blocked?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the UK?
No. The identity check, filing and documents are all done online.
Can I use my home address in Pakistan as the registered office?
No. The registered office must be in the UK. Your Pakistan address can be your private residential address.
How long does registration take?
Usually 24–48 hours after filing, once your identity check is done.
Will my name be public?
Yes — directors’ names and service addresses appear on the public register. Your residential address and full date of birth are kept private.
What if my registration fails?
We refund our service fee. The Companies House fee is non-refundable.
