Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people in Pakistan ask us most about setting up and running a UK company — formation, accounts, VAT, banking, tax and working with Kingswood. Can't find what you need? Just get in touch.
Getting Started
Yes. There is no requirement to be a UK resident or citizen to own or be a director of a UK limited company. We register your UK company from Pakistan, fully online.
Yes. The entire process is done online from Pakistan — you never need to travel to the UK to form or run your company.
No. A UK company can be 100% owned and run by non-residents, including people living in Pakistan.
Yes, it is completely legal. UK company law allows foreign nationals and non-residents to be directors and shareholders.
No. You do not need a visa or any immigration status to own or run a UK limited company from Pakistan.
Your name, a valid photo ID (passport or CNIC), an email address, a company name, and a UK registered office address — which we provide.
Most UK companies are registered within 24 hours, often the same day, once we have your details and ID.
Most clients set up a private company limited by shares (Ltd) — the simplest, most flexible structure for trading and international business.
Yes. Thousands of UK companies are run entirely from overseas. We handle the UK filing and compliance for you.
A UK limited company is a separate legal entity registered at Companies House, owned by shareholders and run by directors, with limited liability for its owners.
Yes. A UK company can have multiple directors and shareholders, and we structure the shares to match each partner’s stake.
You need a UK registered office address, which we provide. A UK phone number is optional but can add credibility.
No — a UK company needs a UK registered office. We provide a compliant UK/London address so your home address stays private.
A director’s name and a correspondence address appear on the public register; using our service address keeps your home address private.
Costs & Timescales
Fees depend on the package and add-ons such as registered office, VAT and accounts. We offer fixed, transparent pricing — contact us for a quote.
No. We quote fixed fees upfront for formation and ongoing compliance, so you always know exactly what you will pay.
Typical ongoing costs are the confirmation statement, annual accounts, corporation tax filing, and any registered office or VAT services you use.
Yes. Talk to us about payment options — we make it easy for clients in Pakistan to pay for company formation and ongoing services.
You can usually start trading as soon as your company is registered, often within 24 hours. A bank account and VAT may take a little longer.
Yes — from formation only to a fully managed package including registered office, accounts, VAT and confirmation statements. We recommend the right one for you.
Cheap formation agents just file the paperwork. We combine UK Chartered Certified Accountants with local Pakistani support and fixed fees, so you get proper advice, not just a company.
Companies House charges a small registration fee, which is included in our formation quote alongside our service fee — with no surprises.
Registered Office
It is the official UK address of your company, held on the public register, where Companies House and HMRC send statutory mail.
Yes. We provide a UK/London registered office and forward your official mail to you in Pakistan.
It is the official correspondence address for a director. Using ours keeps your home address off the public register.
Yes. We scan and forward statutory mail from Companies House and HMRC so you never miss an important letter.
Yes. A registered office can be changed at any time by filing with Companies House, and we handle it for you.
A UK/London address gives your company a credible UK presence, which reassures clients, suppliers and marketplaces.
No. The registered office is your official statutory address; you can trade from anywhere. We can also provide a UK business address.
Company Accounts
Every UK company must file annual accounts with Companies House and a corporation tax return (CT600) with HMRC each year.
First accounts are usually due 21 months after incorporation; after that, 9 months after your financial year ends. We track your dates for you.
Companies House charges automatic late-filing penalties that grow over time, and persistent failure can lead to strike-off. We make sure you never miss a deadline.
If your company has not traded, it files simplified “dormant” accounts. We prepare and file these for you at a lower cost.
Yes. Even loss-making or dormant companies must file accounts and a confirmation statement every year.
The CT600 is the company tax return filed with HMRC, reporting your company’s profits and the corporation tax due.
Corporation tax is 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief in between. Try our calculators for an estimate.
Corporation tax is normally payable 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends, and the CT600 return is due 12 months after.
Yes. As UK Chartered Certified Accountants, we prepare and file your UK accounts and tax returns entirely on your behalf.
It is the date your company’s financial year ends, set by Companies House. Your accounts are made up to this date each year.
Yes. We keep your books on Xero or QuickBooks so your accounts and VAT are always ready and accurate.
Keep all invoices, receipts, bank statements and expense records. HMRC generally requires records to be kept for at least six years.
Confirmation Statement
It is an annual filing (form CS01) that confirms your company’s details — directors, shareholders, address and SIC codes — are up to date at Companies House.
At least once every 12 months. We prepare and file yours on time each year so your company stays compliant.
Your company can be struck off the register and directors can face penalties. We make sure it is filed on schedule.
No. Accounts report your finances; the confirmation statement confirms your company’s registered information. Both are required annually.
Standard Industrial Classification codes describe your company’s business activities on the public register. We select the right ones for you.
VAT & Tax
VAT registration is required once your UK taxable turnover exceeds £90,000, and can be done voluntarily below that — useful for imports and reclaiming VAT.
Yes. Non-resident businesses can register for UK VAT. We handle the application and your quarterly returns.
MTD is HMRC’s requirement to keep digital VAT records and file returns using compatible software. We keep you fully MTD-compliant.
VAT returns are normally filed quarterly under Making Tax Digital. We prepare and submit them for you.
An EORI number is required to import or export goods to and from the UK. We register your company for one.
Your UK company pays UK corporation tax on its profits. Your personal tax position depends on your residency — we will advise on your situation.
The UK and Pakistan have a double taxation agreement to prevent the same income being taxed twice. We can explain how it applies to you.
A Unique Taxpayer Reference is issued by HMRC to identify your company (and you personally) for tax. We help you obtain it.
Directors who take dividends or other UK income may need to file a Self Assessment tax return. We prepare and file it for you.
Usually through a mix of a small salary and dividends. We advise on the most tax-efficient way to take money out of your company.
Banking & Payments
Yes, though it can be difficult with high-street banks. We guide you to UK banks and fintechs such as Wise that accept non-resident directors.
Fintechs such as Wise, Revolut Business and similar providers are usually the most accessible for non-resident directors. We advise on the best fit.
Not strictly, but a UK or multi-currency business account makes receiving payments and paying suppliers far easier.
Yes. With a UK business or multi-currency account, your company can invoice and receive payments internationally in GBP and other currencies.
Yes. A UK company can open Stripe, PayPal and other payment gateways to take card and online payments from customers.
It varies — fintech accounts can take a few days, high-street banks longer. We help prepare your documents to speed things up.
Typically your company details, proof of ID and address, and information about your business. We help you get these right.
Directors & Shares
A director runs the company; a shareholder owns it. One person can be both, which is common for small companies.
Yes. A private limited company can have a single director who is also the sole shareholder.
Yes. Directors and shareholders can be appointed or removed at any time by filing with Companies House. We handle the paperwork.
A PSC is anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of the company. Their details are recorded at Companies House.
Shares are issued in proportion to each owner’s stake. We structure the shareholding to match your agreement.
Yes. Companies can have different share classes for dividends or voting. We advise on the right structure for your business.
Yes. Directors must file accounts and returns on time, keep records, and act in the company’s interest. We help you meet these duties.
Closing a Company
For a solvent company that is no longer needed, we file a voluntary strike-off (form DS01) with Companies House and handle final accounts and HMRC.
It is the process of formally removing a company from the register when it is no longer needed, so you stop filing obligations.
Settle debts, close the bank account, file final accounts and a final tax return, and deregister for VAT and PAYE. We manage the whole process.
No — an inactive company still has filing obligations, and ignoring them leads to penalties. Proper closure or dormancy is safer.
Remaining funds are distributed to shareholders, which may have tax implications. We advise on the most efficient way to extract them.
Trade & Logistics
It is the process of getting goods through UK customs, including declarations, duties and import VAT. We handle it for your shipments.
Yes. An EORI number is required to import or export goods. We register your company for one.
Yes. We connect you with UK warehousing and fulfilment for storage, pick-and-pack and delivery, including Amazon FBA preparation.
Selling on Amazon UK is far easier with a UK company, VAT registration and UK fulfilment — all of which we set up for you.
It is a document certifying where goods were produced, often needed for exports. Through London Chamber membership we can arrange these.
Membership of the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry gives your UK company credibility, trade support and export documentation. We arrange it for you.
A UK entity simplifies customs, VAT, EORI and documentation, and builds trust with international buyers and suppliers.
Yes. We arrange UK warehousing, fulfilment and returns handling so you can sell into the UK without holding stock in Pakistan.
Working with Kingswood
Kingswood are UK-headquartered Chartered Certified Accountants with an office in Lahore, helping businesses in Pakistan set up and run their UK companies.
We are UK-headquartered accountants with an office in Lahore, so you get UK expertise with local Pakistani support.
Yes. Our Lahore team supports you in both Urdu and English.
Yes. You will have a dedicated advisor who knows your business and handles everything for you.
Yes. You are welcome to visit our office at The Broadway, Paragon City, Lahore, or we can meet online.
Book a free consultation — call, WhatsApp or fill in our form — and we will explain your options and the next steps.
Both. We can form your company and then manage its accounts, tax, VAT and filings year after year.
Doing it yourself risks costly mistakes with tax, structure and compliance. As Chartered Certified Accountants we set it up correctly and keep it compliant.
For Your Business
Yes. Many Pakistani freelancers use a UK company to bill international clients professionally and get paid in GBP.
Yes. Pakistani IT and software firms often set up a UK company to win UK and EU clients. We handle formation and ongoing compliance.
We form your UK company, register it for VAT and EORI, and set up UK fulfilment so you can sell on Amazon UK.
Yes. A UK limited company signals credibility to clients, suppliers, banks and marketplaces worldwide.
Yes. A UK company lets you build a UK presence — address, domain, bank and branding. We advise on the essentials.
A UK Ltd is registered at UK Companies House under UK law, giving access to UK banking, markets and credibility that a local company cannot.
Yes. A UK company with a clean share structure is attractive to investors, and we set yours up correctly from the start.
File annual accounts, a confirmation statement and a corporation tax return on time. We manage all of this for you.
We act as your ongoing advisor — accounts, tax, VAT, payroll, filings and guidance — so your UK company stays compliant as it grows.
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