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Company Formation Guide
UK Company Formation
Establish a UK corporation, subsidiary, or branch with Mirr Asia — formation and annual renewal, entity comparison, required documents, virtual-asset (NFT) rules, and work-visa sponsorship, with a clear cost breakdown.
Overview · 01
UK Incorporation Guide
Company formation with a full first-year management package. See the Quick Quote tab for a live cost estimate.
| Service | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Incorporation + 1-year management fee Based on 2 or fewer individual shareholders | USD 1,400 |
Expected timeline
7–10 business days after all required documents are received (expect around 2 weeks in total).
Incorporation includes:
- Company formation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Association
- Director(s) Acceptance Letter
- First Board Resolution
- Register of Members
- Register of Directors
- Share Certificate(s)
Structure · 02
Subsidiary vs. Branch Office
A foreign company can operate in the UK as a subsidiary (a local company) or a branch (an extension of the head office).
| Category | UK Branch Office | UK Subsidiary |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | An authorised entity that lets the head office conduct profit-making business in the UK. The legal entity remains the head office, and it is included as an overseas branch in the head office's financial statements. | A local corporation established by the parent company through equity investment. Its financial statements are consolidated at the parent company's settlement. |
| Formation requirements | Appoint a local resident as Branch Manager; a local business address (proxy service not allowed); a physical office must be leased and a lease agreement submitted. | A local business address (our proxy service is available). |
| Processing time | ≈ 7 business days after digital signatures or originals are submitted May change if additional documents are required | ≈ 7 business days after digital signatures or originals are submitted |
Documents · 03
Required Documents
Documents the client submits, by entity type.
UK Corporation
- Colour passport scans for shareholders/directors
- Proof of address issued within the last 3 months (English residence certificate and both sides of a driver's license)
- UK Corporation Formation Application
- UK Corporation Member Registration Application
UK Subsidiary
- English Corporate Registry / Business License (issued within 3 months)
- Parent company's English Articles of Association and other registry documents (Register of Shareholders, Directors, etc.)
- Parent company's English Board Resolution on subsidiary formation and proxy delegation
- Colour passport scans and proof of address for: parent-company executives; shareholders holding 25%+ direct/indirect shares; UK subsidiary executives
- Corporate Formation Application
- Member Registration Application (corporate/individual)
UK Branch Office
- English Corporate Registry / Business License (issued within 3 months)
- Parent company's English Articles of Association and other registry documents
- Parent company's latest audit report in English
- Colour passport scans, certified passport copies, and proof of address for: parent-company executives; shareholders holding 25%+ shares; the UK branch representative
- Branch Representative Power of Attorney (POA)
- POA with the UK representative's details, signed and sealed by the head office, then notarised
- UK office lease agreement
Procedure (subsidiary & branch)
- 1Submit required formation documents
- 2Document review and confirmation of engagement feasibility
- 3Payment of fees
- 4KYC process for members
- 5Delivery of formation documents and submission of signed scanned copies
- 6Completion of formation
Process · 04
Incorporation Procedure (Corporation)
- 1Pre-consultation on the purpose of incorporation, industry, items handled, business plan, and account opening
- 2Submit required documents (application, passport copies of shareholders/directors, proof of address, identity verification, etc.)
- 3Review KYC and due diligence to confirm the company can be established
- 4Pay the full amount after the establishment is confirmed
- 5Prepare the incorporation documents and other required legal documents
- 6Shareholders/directors sign the prepared documents
- 7Mail the signed documents
- 8Proceed with the establishment once the documents are received
- 9After the registration process, the establishment is complete
- 10If the bank-account-opening service was requested, proceed with the account opening
- 11Activate the bank account, including internet banking, once opening is complete
- 12The work is complete
Renewal · 05
Annual Renewal
| Service | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal fee Annual return USD 550 + registered address USD 600 | USD 1,150 |
Annual renewal includes:
- Annual renewal report
- Annual secretarial services
- Business address in central London
- Legal records documents kept at the business site
Notes · 06
Important Notes
- Licensed industries — such as finance, funds, and related brokerage — involve complex procedures and require sufficient prior consultation.
- Opening a local UK bank account increasingly requires operating a local business site and having resident local staff.
- If you do not operate a local site or plan to hire local staff, we recommend a virtual account (e.g. Revolut, Wise, Airwallex).
Audit exemption
A UK private limited company is exempt from an accounting audit if it meets at least two of the following:
- Annual turnover of £10.2 million or less
- Assets of £5.1 million or less
- 50 or fewer employees on average
First accounting reference date
The first accounting reference date is typically 12 months from incorporation. For example, if incorporated on 13 May 2026, the first accounting reference date is 31 May 2027, so the first accounting period runs 13 May 2026 – 31 May 2027.
Regulation · 07
Virtual Asset / NFT Regulations
How NFTs and crypto-tokens are treated under UK law.
NFTs are currently legal in the UK. However, transactions must comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (amended in 2019), and NFTs must be registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if they are classified as works of art. Under the AML Regulations, separate internal procedures and records must be kept for sales of NFTs worth more than €10,000.
In the UK, tokens are classified into three categories, each subject to the corresponding legal regulations:
Security Token
Regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001.
Reference: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/544/contents/made
Electronic Money
Regulated under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011.
Reference: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/99/contents/made
Unregulated Token
Tokens that do not fall into either of the above two categories.
Also review
- Anti-Money Laundering Regulations — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1511/contents/made
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) — https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services
- https://www.gherson.com/blog/non-fungible-token-nft-regulation-uk/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/04/uk-to-mint-its-own-nft-and-push-forward-with-crypto-regulation.html
In conclusion, although the UK legally distinguishes NFTs from other digital assets, it is necessary to comply with the AML and HMRC regulations and to separately review the accounting/tax treatment of NFT transactions. If you wish to proceed in a more secure manner, we recommend seeking local legal advice or engaging an advisor to review this area.
*The above is not legal advice and Mirr Asia accepts no liability in connection with it.
Immigration · 08
UK Work Visa & Sponsorship
The UK has reformed its immigration system for hiring workers from outside the EU. Key routes and requirements are below.
1. Sponsorship License
A sponsorship license is required to employ most workers from outside the UK.
2. Skilled Worker
- A job offer from a sponsor approved by the UK Home Office
- The required level of English proficiency (CEFR B1–B2)
- A role requiring proficiency of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A-level)
- A minimum salary of £25,600 or the 'market rate' for the job, whichever is higher
RQF levels: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels · CEFR levels: https://global-exam.com/blog/en/cefr-levels-to-ielts-in-depth-score-comparison/
3. Intra-company Transfer
Companies can apply for visas for existing employees of overseas companies who will work in the UK branch, via the Intra-Company Transfer route. Competence and salary requirements must be met.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/recruiting-people-from-outside-the-uk#intra-company-transfers
4. Eligibility Verification
You must verify that the recruit has the right to work in the UK. For more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/recruiting-people-from-outside-the-uk
UK visa sponsorship — employer
Employers in the UK need a sponsor license to hire workers from outside the UK, including citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland arriving on or after 31 December 2020. Volunteers for non-profit organizations also fall under this category.
A sponsorship license is not required for certain groups — for example, Irish citizens, settled and pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme, and those with indefinite leave to remain. Sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval.
- Check that your business meets the eligibility requirements
- Check whether the job is suitable for sponsorship
- Select the license type based on the workers you want to hire
- Assign a person responsible for managing sponsorship within the business
- Apply online and pay the fee
- UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) officers may visit to verify suitability
If approved, a license rating is assigned and a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued for suitable roles. The license is valid for 4 years and is lost if the sponsor fails to meet its responsibilities. More information: https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers
Our role — we work with experienced local UK visa consultants to support the following, across three stages:
Step 1 · Sponsorship License
- In-depth assessment of the client company so the license is obtained in a timely manner
- A permanent establishment in the UK
- Hiring at least one local person
- No criminal record
Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-documents-for-sponsor-applications-appendix-a
Step 2 · Certificate of Sponsorship
Support obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship under the Skilled Worker method, evaluating skills, market value, and contribution using objectively measurable criteria.
Step 3 · Skilled Worker Visa
Professional advice at the application stage, meeting additional requirements per the application conditions and preparing for future business.
Pricing · 09
Visa & Sponsorship Costs
Advisory fees exclude VAT. Government fees vary by organization size.
| Item | Advisory fee | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship license | £3,500 | £536 (small) £1,476 (large) |
| Sponsorship certificate | £2,000 | £199 |
| Immigration Skills Charge Per sponsored year, from April 2017 | — | £364 (small) £1,000 (large) |
| Skilled Worker Visa Dependent visa for immediate family: £500 | £1,000 | £610 If applying from outside the UK |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | — | £624 Per applicant, per year |
*A small organization must meet at least two of: annual turnover ≤ £10.2 million; total balance sheet ≤ £5.1 million; 50 or fewer employees.
Estimated total (small organization):
| Summary | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total advisory fees (excl. VAT) | £6,500 |
| Total government fees | £2,333 |
| Advisory fee discount When the full fee is paid in advance | (£1,000) |
| Total after discount Advisory £5,500 + VAT £1,100 + government £2,333 | £8,933 |
Questions · 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get started · 11
Apply for UK Incorporation
Start your application or request a free consultation.