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Register as an overseas company
Overseas companies must register with Companies House if they set up a place of business in the UK.
Who must register
You must register if you set up a place of business in the UK or if you usually carry out business from somewhere in the UK.
Some types of company can’t register as an overseas company in the UK, including partnerships and unincorporated bodies - contact UK Trade & Investment if you need advice.
How to register
Within 1 month of opening for business, you must fill in form OS IN01 and send it to Companies House. The address is on the form along with what documents you need to send.
Changes to company details
You must tell Companies House within 21 days if your company details change. This includes:
- name
- address
- what the business does
- details of directors, secretaries or people authorised to represent the company
- company information, eg accounting requirements or the powers of directors or secretaries
- company constitution (one of the documents made when you form the company)
For help, contact Companies House.
Companies House contact centre
Telephone: 0303 1234 500
Find out about call charges
Filing accounts
You may need to file your company accounts and tax return with Companies House and HMRC. You only need to do this if you’re required to file accounts in your home country. You’ll usually need to do this within 3 months of the deadline for filing your accounts in your home country.
If you don’t file accounts on time, you could be prosecuted.
When you file your accounts with Companies House, you should also include a statement saying:
- what local law your accounts have been prepared and (if applicable) audited under
- if the accounts have been prepared under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- if the accounts have been audited and if they were audited under Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
- if the accounts haven’t been audited, whether the company is required to have its accounts audited
Help from UK Trade & Investment
Overseas companies looking to set up business in the UK can get help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). They can provide information about how business works in the UK and analysis of market opportunities, as well as access to business and academic networks.
UK Trade & Investment enquiry line
Telephone: 020 7215 5000
Find out about call charges
Setting up in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
If you’re looking to set up business in Scotland, you can get help from Scottish Development International (SDI).
Scottish Development International enquiry line
Telephone: 0800 917 9534
Find out about call charges
You can also get help with setting up in:
- Wales from Business Wales
- Northern Ireland from Invest Northern Ireland