Non-resident directors
Yes. There is no restriction on foreign ownership of a UK company. What that means for PSC registration, identity verification and dividends.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityYes. A non-resident individual or an overseas company can own 100% of a UK limited company. There is no foreign ownership restriction. You will appear on the public register as a person with significant control and must verify your identity.
PSC and transparency obligations
Getting profit out
Yes. A non-resident individual or an overseas company can own 100% of a UK limited company. There is no foreign ownership restriction. You will appear on the public register as a person with significant control and must verify your identity.
Anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises significant influence, is a person with significant control and is recorded publicly, including name, month and year of birth, nationality and country of residence.
Where an overseas company is the shareholder, the register records the registrable relevant legal entity, and the ownership chain above it may need to be disclosed depending on structure. Nominee arrangements designed to hide ownership are the target of the ECCTA reforms, not a workaround for them.
Dividends from a UK company to a non-resident shareholder carry no UK withholding tax. UK tax on those dividends is generally limited to the tax treated as deducted under the disregarded income rules, so many non-resident shareholders pay no further UK tax on them.
Your country of residence will usually tax the dividend, with credit for any UK tax under a double tax treaty. Plan the home country position before setting the extraction policy.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Yes. PSC details are on the public register, with residential addresses protected.
Yes, and the UK company records it as a relevant legal entity.
No. A UK incorporated company is UK tax resident regardless of who owns it.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
