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45+ COUNTRIES SERVED — FULLY REMOTE PROCESS

UK Shelf Companies For Non-UK Residents & Foreign Nationals

Royale Corporate specialises in UK shelf company transfers for international buyers. No UK residency required. No UK visit necessary. We serve clients in the UAE, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, USA, and 40+ more countries. Transfer completed in 3–5 days.

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Can a non-UK resident buy a UK company?

Yes. UK law does not require company directors or shareholders to live in the UK. Royale Corporate handles the purchase remotely: buyers provide a passport and a recent proof of address for identity (AML) checks, pay the invoice, and are appointed director at Companies House within 3–5 business days.

Royale Corporate packages and starting prices
Package What's included From
Dormant shelf company Clean UK Ltd, never traded, Certificate of Non-Trading £1,199
Aged shelf company (1–5+ years) Older incorporation date for banks, Stripe, PayPal, suppliers £1,499
Company with VAT number Active HMRC VAT registration included £1,599
Company with bank account Wise, Zempler or Mettle business account £1,799
VAT + EORI package VAT plus EORI number for UK imports and exports £1,899
Full package (VAT + EORI + bank) Everything needed to trade from day one £2,499

Royale Advisory Ltd · 22 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH · 020 4569 2028 · info@royalecorporate.co.uk · Last updated

Helpful guides

Can a non-UK resident own a UK company? Rules and practicalities Yes, non-UK residents can own and run a UK limited company. What the law requires (director, registered office,… Companies House identity verification: what directors must do Directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. Who it applies to, how… UK business bank accounts for non-resident directors How non-UK resident directors can get a business account for a UK limited company: high-street banks vs e-money…
45+ Countries Served
Fully Remote Process
AML Compliant
4.9★ Rated (1,247 Reviews)
Global Service

Countries We Regularly Serve

International Corporate Advisory Available: For international businesses seeking a UK company structure — not just a purchase — Royale Corporate offers bespoke advisory services. Explore UK Company Advisory →
Verified Client Reviews

International Client Reviews

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Excellent — 4.9/5
Based on 1247 verified client reviews
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"Royale Corporate transferred the company within 4 days. The VAT number was verified and active immediately. I was trading on Amazon FBA within the week. This service is genuinely exceptional and I would recommend it to anyone needing a UK company quickly."

James Whitfield
United Kingdom • • Amazon FBA
Verified Client

"As an Indian national looking to establish a UK business, I was initially concerned about the complexity. Royale Corporate made the entire process straightforward and professional. My shelf company documents arrived within 3 business days."

Priya Sharma
India • • E-Commerce
Verified Client

"Purchased a VAT-registered UK shelf company from Dubai for our import/export operations. The EORI number was active and customs clearance was smooth from day one. Royale Corporate's team were highly professional throughout."

Mohammed Al-Rashid
UAE / Dubai • • Import/Export
Verified Client

Showing 3 of 1247 verified reviews. See all reviews →

FAQs

Foreign National Buyer FAQs

No. UK company law imposes no residency requirement on directors. You can be a director of a UK Limited company from anywhere in the world. Royale Corporate has transferred shelf companies to directors in 45+ countries including UAE, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, USA, China, and all EU countries.
Non-UK residents are required to provide: a valid passport or national identity card, and a proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months (bank statement, utility bill, or government document in their home country). For business purchases, company registration documents may also be required.
You do not need to visit the UK. The entire Royale Corporate process is remote — document submission, payment, and company transfer are all handled electronically. You receive your company documents digitally and can access your bank account remotely.
Yes. Wise Business accounts are available to directors of UK companies regardless of their nationality or country of residence. This makes Wise ideal for international directors of UK shelf companies who need multi-currency banking.
Royale Corporate serves clients in 45+ countries including UAE, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, China, USA, Canada, all EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and many more. Contact us if you do not see your country listed.
Yes. Corporate bodies, including foreign companies, can be appointed as directors of UK Limited companies. A UAE LLC, for example, can be the director of a UK shelf company. Additional documentation about the foreign entity is required for AML compliance.
All company documents are provided digitally via secure email or document portal — a PDF pack including Certificate of Incorporation, M&A, Share Certificate, Certificate of Non-Trading, VAT certificate (if applicable), and EORI confirmation (if applicable). Physical originals can be couriered internationally on request.
Yes. Royale Corporate includes 12 months of UK registered office address (in London) with every shelf company transfer. This satisfies the Companies House requirement for a UK registered office, even for international directors who have no UK presence.
Tax obligations depend on your specific circumstances, residency, and whether your UK company conducts UK-based activity. Royale Corporate strongly recommends consulting a UK-qualified accountant or tax adviser regarding your specific tax position. We can introduce you to our trusted UK accountant network.
Royale Corporate's most common international clients are from UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Turkey, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, China, Egypt, USA, Germany, France, Poland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh. Our team has experience with AML documentation requirements for each of these jurisdictions.
Yes. A single non-UK resident director can own and operate a UK shelf company. There is no minimum UK director requirement. Royale Corporate transfers companies to sole international directors regularly. The registered office address we provide handles all UK official correspondence on your behalf.