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How to start business in the UK as a foreigner in 2023? Quick & Easy Guide

UK Investor, Innovator, Business visas | 8 min Read

How to start business in the UK as a

foreigner in 2023? Quick & Easy Guide
– UK Business Visa Consultant in India – Mumbai, Delhi &
Bangalore

Don’t have time to read? You can listen to our article!

Start a business in the UK as a foreigner

The SmartMove2UK • By The SmartMove2UK • Feb 16, 2023

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Table of Content

1. Introduction: Starting Business in the UK As a Foreigner

2. What are the different types of businesses in the UK?

2.1. Sole Proprietor

2.2. Partnership Firm

2.3. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

2.4. Private Limited Firm

3. What are the steps you must follow to start business in the UK as a foreigner?

3.1. Determine your legal standing

3.2. Fill out a visa application

3.3. Create a business plan

3.4. Determine your business structure

3.5. Choose a company name and address

3.6. Become a member of HM Revenue and Customs – also known as HMRC

3.7. Check any additional rules that apply to your industry

4. How can you establish a foreign company branch in the UK?

5. What are the different types of UK Business Visas?

5.1. UK Expansion Worker Visa

5.2. UK Innovator Visa

5.3. UK Start-up Visa

5.4. UK Skilled Worker Visa

6. What is the UK Taxation for businesses?

7. You can also watch our video on: Can Foreign Nationals Start a Business in the UK!

8. Do you need help in starting a business in the UK?

Introduction: Starting Business in the UK As a Foreigner

Entrepreneurship is encouraged and promoted in the United Kingdom. Though the legal
framework to start a UK business as a foreigner is pretty much streamlined, you can still
face challenges if you fail to understand what is required of you.
In this blog, we will go over everything you need to know about starting business in UK
as foreigner, including the various types of company structures, taxation, administration,
and the various visas you can apply for.

What are the different types of businesses in the UK?

There are several business types in the UK, and you must choose the one that best fits
your company’s structure. You can choose from the following:

Being a sole proprietor

Having a Partnership firm
Having a Limited Liability Partnership firm – which is also known as LLP
Having a Private Limited firm

The legal business structure you select will affect many aspects of your company,
including taxation, personal liability, and the amount of administrative work you must
perform.

Sole Proprietor

profits after you’ve paid your taxes. You are personally liable for any losses your
company suffers. When it comes to running and naming your company, you must adhere
to certain rules. As a sole proprietor, you have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Keep track of your income and expenses

2. Every year, file a self-assessment tax return
3. Pay your income tax
4. Pay for national insurance classes 2 and 4

– Value Added Tax (VAT)

You must register for VAT if your business meets the threshold.

– Choosing a Company Name

You can either trade under your own name or use a different name for your business. If
you want to prevent others from trading under your company name, you must register it
as a trademark

Our MOST TRENDING Blog: How the UK Expansion Worker visa will help
businesses to set up a branch in the UK!

Partnership Firm

A partnership firm is the most straightforward way to set up a company in the UK as a

foreigner, for two or more people who would like to run a business together. The duties
of a partnership business structure are similar to those of a sole proprietor, with the
exception that you have one or more business partners. When you form a partnership
firm, you must have a formal agreement outlining the agreed-upon split of earnings,
losses, liabilities, and ownership.
When forming a business partnership, you must:

1. Select a name
2. Select a nominated partner – the ‘nominated partner’ is responsible for the
partnership’s tax returns and financial management
3. Become a member of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A Limited Liability Partnership can be formed to conduct business with two or more
members (LLP). A member can be an individual or a company (referred to as a
“corporate member”.

As in a regular business partnership, each member pays tax on their share of the profits,
but is not personally liable for any obligations that the business is unable to pay. The
following are the first steps in forming an LLP:

1. Choosing a Business Name

2. Possessing a registered address
3. Having at least two members
4. Having a written agreement outlining how the LLP will be run
5. Members’ Duties and Responsibilities After Registering the LLP with Companies
House
6. You must always have at least two “designated members” who have more
responsibilities than other members

In some cases, your company may be registered as one of the structures listed above
but operate in a different sub-category, such as:

1. A franchise – is a company that already exists and has a good reputation. If you
own a franchise, you own the rights to use the established company’s business
plan and operate under their brand
2. A freelancer – is someone who uses their skills and experience to provide a service
(such as writing or photography). This type of self-employment works by acquiring
clients for whom you will perform services
3. A social enterprise – is a business that works to help society or the environment in
some way. To ensure that they continue to work towards societal or environmental
goals, these businesses must be open about the profits they reinvest
4. A charity firm – is a charity’s goal, like that of a social enterprise, is to serve the
greater good of society. It is, however, unique in that all of its profits come from
donations.

Each company has its own set of rules and criteria. You may want to seek a
professional’s legal advice before proceeding.

Private Limited Firm

A Private Limited business must be administered by an appointed Director in addition to

any shareholders. The finances of a limited company are separate from your personal
finances as the founder. If you are the company’s sole employee, you can still register as
a limited company by naming yourself as the Director.
The following are some of the Director’s responsibilities:

1. Follow the guidelines outlined in the company’s articles of incorporation

2. Maintain a record of the company’s activities and report any changes
3. Accounts and corporate tax returns must be filed
4. Corporation Tax must be paid

Although employees can be hired, a Director is still legally responsible for the
company’s records, accounts, and performance.

Because it is a separate legal entity, the company has its own bank account and is
subject to corporate tax. Corporation tax can be registered at the same time as your
business is registered with Companies House, but unlike income tax, all profits made by
a business are taxed, so there is no tax-free exemption. In contrast, the government
allows for expenses and deductions that may reduce the amount of corporate tax owed.
 Our MOST POPULAR Blog: How The SmartMove2UK is helping the business to
set up their business branch in the UK?

What are the steps you must follow to start business in the
UK as a foreigner?

Determine your legal standing

This means, any EU citizens who lived in the UK before January 1st, 2021, may be
eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, but most of the applicants will need to apply for
a UK business visa before starting business in the UK as a foreigner.

Fill out a visa application

If you need a visa, you should apply for one ahead of time. The UK offers various visas
that cater to different businesses. You must only apply for the visa that aptly suits your
business type and purpose.

Create a business plan

Entrepreneurs must have a business plan before starting business in the UK as a
foreigner. This also includes basic market research that will help you determine whether
your business concepts are likely to thrive and be long-term viable in the UK.

Determine your business structure

Before starting business in the UK as a foreigner, you must decide the best-suitable
business structure for your company.

Choose a company name and address

If you are a sole proprietor, you may use your own name. You will need an address
when registering your UK business for tax purposes and entering the company register.

Only a few businesses are required to register their names; however, you may do so as
a trademark to prevent others from trading under the same name as your business.

If you are forming a Private Limited Company, you must appoint Directors and a
Company Secretary, calculate your shares and shareholders, write your memorandum
and articles of organization, open a separate bank account, and register for corporation
tax.

Become a member of HM Revenue and Customs – also known as

HMRC
You must register your UK business with HMRC for tax purposes. Private Limited
companies must also register with Companies House.

Check any additional rules that apply to your industry

Depending on the nature of your UK business, additional requirements such as permits
or licences may apply.

How can you establish a foreign company branch in the UK?

 Companies House requires foreign companies that are eager to do business or
establish a branch in the UK to register as an overseas company.
If you own a company in another country and want to open a branch in the UK, you
must complete and submit form OS IN01 to Companies House. The registration fee
is £20.

 Important Note:
Except for sole traders and partnership firms, many businesses in the UK require a
separate UK business bank account. However, it’s a good idea to open a separate
bank account to keep accounting operations simple.

Different Business visa UK from India and its types explained by our business
consultant in India.

What are the different types of UK Business Visas?

Below-mentioned are the various categories of UK Business Visas for starting a
business in the UK as a non-resident. However, you must consult a UK Business Visa
Solicitor or Lawyer to understand which category suits you the best!

UK Expansion Worker Visa

A UK Expansion Worker Visa allows you to enter the UK and open a branch or
subsidiary firm of your existing overseas business
This is the most popular business visa category, as it requires ZERO Investment
and is a self-sponsored route
This visa was launched just last year, in April 2022, as a replacement for the UK
Sole Representative Visa
You are also permitted to bring your partner and children (under the age of 18
years) to the UK with this visa

Know Everything About UK Expansion Worker Visa

UK Innovator Visa

The UK Innovator Visa is suitable for those entrepreneurs who have an Innovative,
Viable, and Scalable business plan
Along with this, you are required to have experience in doing business in that
industry
In order to apply for a UK Innovator Visa – you must first get an endorsement from
a UK-government authorised endorsing body
It is also mandatory for you to have £50,000 as investment funds
You are permitted to bring your partner and children (under the age of 18 years) to
the UK with this visa

Know Everything About UK Innovator Visa

UK Start-up Visa

To qualify for a UK Start-up Visa – you DO NOT require any investment funds or
any prior business experience
 However, you must have a business plan that is Innovative, Viable, and Scalable
And, you must also get an endorsement from a UK government authorised
endorsing body
You are permitted to bring your partner and children (under the age of 18 years) to
the UK with this visa

Know Everything About UK Start-up Visa

UK Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker Visa holder must always be employed by a UK Sponsor Licence

holder in order to keep their status
However, a Skilled Worker also includes CEO, Managing Director, Director, and
other owner manager roles
You are permitted to bring your partner and children (under the age of 18 years) to
the UK with this visa

Know Everything About UK Skilled Worker Visa

What is the UK Taxation for businesses?

For tax purposes, all UK businesses and entrepreneurs must register with HMRC
and file their tax returns
Profits earned by self-employed sole proprietors and partnerships are subject to
taxation
Private Limited companies and foreign corporations with UK branches must register
for Corporation Tax
Corporation Tax is levied at 25% of company profits

You must also register for VAT if your business is eligible for it.

 Please Note:
You still must apply for a UK Business Visa for starting a business in the UK as a
EU citizen. There are also multiple investment opportunities in the UK for
foreigners in various industries and sectors.

You can also watch our video on: Can Foreign Nationals Start a Business in the UK!

Do you need help in starting a business in the UK?

There are ample business opportunities in the UK for foreigners, make sure you follow our quick and comprehensive guide to
starting business in the UK as a foreigner in 2023
 Our UK-qualified solicitors and lawyers will ensure a successful UK business registration for foreign nationals and also UK
business visas for foreign nationals
Our UK Visa Expert is based in India – Mumbai | Delhi | Bengaluru and offers legal advice on all matters concerning setting up a
business in the UK as a foreigner
If you want further assistance to start a business in the UK as a foreign national; We Are Just A Call Away!

+91 9819127002 +91 9819127002

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April 16th, 2023 | Categories: UK Investor, Innovator, Business visas | Tags: Business in the UK, Starting Business in the UK

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