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Own 100% of a UK limited company from anywhere in the US — no UK visit, no local sponsor, no UK-resident director required. This is UK company formation non resident Americans actually use to sell on Amazon UK, invoice EU clients in GBP, and open UK-facing accounts that a domestic LLC alone can't get you.
Activate Global delivers UK company formation with a UK bank account for non residents — passport and address-based KYC, Companies House filing, and an optional nominee director service, handled entirely remotely from the US. Certificate of Incorporation in 24–48 hours. UK bank account in as little as 3 business days. Guaranteed, or your money back.
Our US specialist calls you within 2 hours.
One partner for company formation, banking, and compliance — so American founders aren't stitching together three different providers for one working UK setup.
Your UK limited company, filed and confirmed at Companies House in 24–48 hours from anywhere in the US. Full 100% ownership as director and shareholder — no UK residency, ever.
Full service details →A real UK sort code and account number, opened directly with UK banks and fintechs — not a referral link. Guaranteed, including for Americans previously turned down elsewhere.
Bank account service →The complete formation package — Companies House filing, digital documents, and a registered UK office address — for US founders who already have banking sorted and just need the entity.
Formation only →Keep your name off the public Companies House register while retaining full legal control through a signed agreement — popular with US clients who value privacy on a public filing system.
Nominee director service →A prestigious London address — Tower Bridge Business Centre, E1W 1AW — included as standard, satisfying Companies House from day one. Mail forwarded straight to you.
Address service →Need an established UK incorporation date today — for a contract, a marketplace requirement, or a bank that wants history? Ownership transfers in as little as 3 hours.
View shelf companies →The exact entity structure Amazon UK and Amazon EU require for seller registration — VAT registration and an EORI number included, built for US sellers expanding beyond Amazon.com.
Marketplace formation →Add an EU entity alongside your UK company and sell into both markets from the US without European travel — common for US exporters targeting the whole continent.
EU formation →Structure, compliance, and banking coordinated end-to-end for US businesses stepping into UK and European markets for the first time.
Expansion support →The US and UK traded $373.8 billion in goods and services in 2025 — the US is the UK's single largest trading partner. Here's exactly what's pulling US-based founders toward UK company formation right now.
US–UK trade hit $373.8 billion in 2025, with the US exporting $206.1 billion to the UK alone. A UK company puts American founders directly inside that flow, trading as a recognised local entity instead of an outsider shipping across the Atlantic.
$373.8bn US–UK trade, 2025US-based Amazon sellers with a proven US listing frequently skip Amazon UK and Amazon EU entirely — not because the demand isn't there, but because activating those storefronts requires a genuine UK entity and UK bank account, which a US LLC alone doesn't provide.
UK + EU storefronts need a UK entityA UK bank account for non residents means invoicing UK and European clients directly in GBP, settling into a real UK sort code, and avoiding the multi-currency conversion fees that eat into margin every time USD crosses the Atlantic and back.
Direct GBP settlement, no round-trip conversionThe US–UK Double Taxation Convention was signed 24 July 2001 and has been in force since 31 March 2003. Two decades of established treaty relief mean fewer surprises structuring UK company profits alongside US tax obligations.
DTA in force since 31 March 2003Companies House is a single, unified national registry — file once and you're recognised across all of the UK. Compare that to the US, where operating outside your formation state often means registering as a "foreign entity" and paying a second registered agent all over again.
One filing, nationwide recognitionA "Ltd" suffix carries specific weight with UK, EU, and Commonwealth clients, banks, and marketplaces the way "LLC" or "Inc" does domestically. For American founders selling internationally, that's not a nice-to-have — it's frequently the difference in winning the contract.
Ltd status recognised in 190+ countriesMost Americans already know how cheap a Delaware or Wyoming LLC is to set up. That's exactly why this comparison has to be honest about where a US entity wins — and precise about the one real cost of the UK option that most formation agents don't mention.
| What You Get | 🇬🇧 UK Limited Company (Activate Global) | 🇺🇸 US LLC (Delaware / Wyoming) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | From £249 (~$315) | ✓ Lower upfront — Delaware Certificate of Formation from $110 |
| Annual maintenance cost | ✓ Often lower — confirmation statement (£34) plus basic accounts | ~ $400–800/yr — Delaware's $300 mandatory franchise tax plus $100–300 registered agent fee, regardless of income |
| Operating outside your formation state | ✓ Not applicable — one national registry covers the whole UK | ✗ Extra cost — often requires "foreign qualification" and a second registered agent in your home state |
| UK & EU marketplace eligibility (Amazon UK/EU) | ✓ Fully eligible — the entity type Amazon UK requires for seller registration | ✗ Not eligible — a US LLC alone doesn't unlock Amazon UK or EU seller accounts |
| Direct GBP business banking | ✓ Included — real UK sort code, account number, multi-currency balances | Available via US banks, but settling UK/EU clients still routes through currency conversion |
| Credibility with UK & EU clients specifically | ✓ Strong — "Ltd" is the locally recognised standard for UK and EU buyers | ~ Neutral to unfamiliar — "LLC" is well understood domestically, less so as a UK/EU counterparty |
| Extra US tax reporting for US owners | ✗ Yes — this is real. As a foreign corporation, a UK Ltd owned 10%+ by a US person typically requires Form 5471 with your US return, and may trigger GILTI/NCTI tax exposure | ✓ None — a domestic LLC has no foreign-corporation reporting requirement |
| Best suited for | Selling into the UK/EU, Amazon UK/EU, international clients, UK-facing credibility | US-domestic trading, US clients, simplest possible US tax filing |
The honest verdict: if every client, marketplace, and dollar you touch is domestic, a Delaware or Wyoming LLC is simpler and there's no reason to add a UK company. But a UK Ltd genuinely does a job a US LLC structurally cannot — UK/EU marketplace access, GBP banking, and UK-side credibility — and it comes with one real cost most guides skip: as a US person, owning 10%+ of a foreign corporation typically means filing Form 5471 alongside your US return, so this needs a US-side accountant who handles foreign reporting, not just a UK one. Our accounting team can point you to specialists who do exactly that.
Talk Through Your Structure →Fully remote, start to finish. No flights, no in-person meetings, no notarisation required for standard formation.
Complete the form above or WhatsApp us directly. Our US specialist responds within 2 hours to scope your UK company and banking needs.
We collect your documents digitally — US passport or state-issued ID, and proof of US address. A W-8BEN form certifies your foreign status for UK withholding purposes where relevant.
Confirm your package — including a nominee director if you want one — and we file directly with Companies House. Confirmation within 24–48 hours.
Your digital company pack arrives first. Your UK bank account follows within 3 business days, wherever in the US you're based.
All documents submitted digitally — no notarisation, no apostille, no physical delivery required for standard formation or your UK bank account application.
Clear scan or photo of the photo page. Must be current and valid.
Front and back scan, as supporting identity verification alongside your passport.
Dated within the last 3 months. A utility bill, a US bank or credit card statement, or a signed lease all work.
We run a free Companies House availability check before filing — include 1–2 backup names in case your first choice is taken.
A short description of what your company does — trading, consulting, e-commerce, SaaS. We assign the correct SIC codes for you.
Full legal name, date of birth, nationality, and address for every director and shareholder — all can be US-based.
From Amazon sellers scaling internationally to SaaS founders billing European clients — these are the US industries where a UK company earns its cost fastest.
US Amazon sellers with proven US listings use a UK company to activate Amazon UK and Amazon EU storefronts, unlocking new revenue without rebuilding a catalog from scratch.
E-commerce formation →US SaaS founders billing UK and European customers use a UK entity for GBP-denominated invoicing and to reduce friction with EU procurement teams who prefer a local-feeling counterparty.
Formation for SaaS founders →US consultants and agencies bidding on UK and EU contracts use a UK company to present as a locally recognised entity rather than an overseas vendor.
Formation for consultants →US fintech founders use UK company formation to access FCA-adjacent credibility and onboard UK payment processors that expect a UK or EU entity.
Fintech formation →US logistics and trading companies register a UK entity for VAT registration and an EORI number, easing customs clearance on UK and EU trade lanes.
Logistics company formation →US investors buying UK property use a UK company wrapper for inheritance planning and to keep those assets cleanly separated from their US estate.
Investment company formation →This is the section most formation agents gloss over. Here's the straight version, including the one IRS form that actually matters.
19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% above £250,000 — a company-level tax that applies regardless of where the director lives, before anything reaches you personally.
If you're a US citizen, Green Card holder, or resident who owns 10% or more of a UK company, the IRS generally requires Form 5471 attached to your US tax return, and the company may be treated as a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) subject to GILTI (renamed Net CFC Tested Income, or NCTI, from 2026) on certain earnings. This is a real, ongoing compliance obligation — not optional paperwork.
Signed 24 July 2001, in force since 31 March 2003, the treaty provides relief mechanisms so the same income generally isn't taxed twice — but it doesn't remove the Form 5471 filing obligation itself, which is an information return, not a tax.
US owners can extract profits from their UK company as salary (subject to UK PAYE) or dividends. Both need to be reported correctly on your US return alongside Form 5471 — this is exactly the kind of cross-border filing a generalist US CPA may not handle regularly.
Our accounting team handles UK corporation tax returns (CT600), year-end accounts, and VAT registration — and can connect you with US CPAs experienced in Form 5471 and CFC reporting.
View Accounting ServicesReal clients, verified by country and business type. We're actively gathering more US-specific reviews as our American client base grows.
"Best service provider for anyone looking to start a UK business remotely from anywhere. No hidden charges, clear process, and fast execution. You can simply trust them and contact them for any services they offer."
"Professional, honest, and efficient. They delivered exactly what they promised — a clean UK company with full ownership transfer in just 3 hours after payment. Pricing is very affordable compared to others."
[Reserved for a genuine United States client testimonial — not published until a verified quote is collected.]
The specific questions US-based entrepreneurs ask about UK company formation, UK bank accounts for non residents, and our nominee director service.
Yes. You get 100% shareholding and sole directorship — no UK-based partner or sponsor required by law. Our nominee director service is entirely optional, there for privacy or a banking benefit, never a legal requirement.
Because they solve different problems. A Delaware or Wyoming LLC is excellent for US-domestic business. A UK company is what actually gets you Amazon UK/EU seller eligibility, GBP business banking, and credibility with UK and EU clients — none of which a US LLC alone provides. See the full comparison above, including the one real cost (Form 5471 reporting) most guides don't mention.
Both, bundled together if you want it that way. We open accounts directly with UK banks and fintechs ourselves — not a referral link — including for Americans previously rejected elsewhere. If we can't open your account, you get a full refund.
Very likely, yes. US persons who own 10% or more of a foreign corporation typically need to file Form 5471 with their US tax return, and the company may be subject to GILTI (called Net CFC Tested Income, or NCTI, from 2026) on certain income. This is real and the penalties for missing it are significant — work with a US CPA experienced in foreign-corporation reporting from day one, not after the fact.
A UK-resident director's name on the public Companies House record instead of yours, while a signed agreement keeps full legal control with you. Popular with US clients who want privacy on a publicly searchable UK register, or who find a UK-resident name strengthens their UK bank account application.
Your US passport, a state-issued ID or driver's license, and proof of US address dated within 3 months — a utility bill, bank statement, or signed lease all work. Add your proposed company name, a short business description, and details for any other directors or shareholders. No SSN or ITIN required for the UK-side paperwork.
Yes — signed 24 July 2001, in force since 31 March 2003. It provides relief so the same income generally isn't taxed twice across both countries, though it doesn't remove your Form 5471 filing obligation, which is a separate informational requirement. Speak to a tax adviser in both jurisdictions about how it applies to your specific structure.
Yes — that's one of the most common reasons US sellers form one. A UK limited company is the entity type Amazon UK requires for seller registration and gives you access to Amazon EU marketplaces too, with GBP settlement through your UK bank account instead of routing everything through USD conversion.
Not on setup cost — Delaware's $110 filing fee undercuts the UK's £249. But look at annual cost: Delaware's mandatory $300 franchise tax plus a $100–300 registered agent fee often runs $400–800 a year, while UK annual compliance (confirmation statement plus basic accounts) is frequently lower. Either way, cost isn't really the deciding factor — market access and banking are.
Your UK company itself pays UK corporation tax — 19% up to £50,000 profit, 25% above £250,000. Separately, as the US owner, you report the company's existence and certain income via Form 5471, and profits distributed to you are taxed under US rules alongside treaty relief. Get advice from a CPA who specifically handles CFC and foreign-corporation reporting.
No. Formation, banking, and ongoing compliance are all designed to run without a UK visit. We hold the registered office address, handle Companies House and HMRC filings, and manage your bank account application — entirely from documents you send us digitally from anywhere in the US.
UK company formation, guaranteed UK banking, and a nominee director if you want one — one process, one partner, zero flights. Join the American entrepreneurs already building internationally with Activate Global.