How Long Does It Take to Form a UK Company: A Step-by-Step Process & Turn Around Time

Forming a UK company is a critical step for entrepreneurs looking to establish a presence in the United Kingdom. Whether you need a limited company (Ltd) for local operations or international business, Business Globalizer ensures a seamless and compliant formation process. Here’s a detailed process sequence and turnaround time (TAT) for setting up a UK company.

Step 1: Placing an Order for UK Company Formation

The process begins once the client selects a package, completes payment, and submits the necessary information.

Required Documents for UK Company Formation

To proceed, we require the following:

• Personal Identification Document (A clear picture of Passport, NID, or Driving License).
  
  
• Proof of Residential Address (Recent Bank Statement or Utility Bill).

Other Required Information:

• Proposed Company Name.
  
  
• Business Description.
  
  
• Email Address for Communication.
  
  
• Phone Number for Communication.
  
  
• Company Owner’s Name.
  
  
• Details of PSC (Person with Significant Control).
  
  
• Director Details.
  
  
• Shareholder Details (if applicable).
  
  
• Share Percentage Details (if applicable).

Note: To take a clear passport picture, place it on a flat white background under bright, even lighting to avoid shadows. Use a high-resolution camera, hold it steady, ensure no fingers, glare, or reflections are visible, and capture all details clearly without any shadows.

Step 2: Document & Business Name Verification

• Business Globalizer verifies all submitted documents. If any missing or incorrect documents are found, the client will be notified to provide the correct information.
  
  
• We check the availability of the proposed company name. Certain names may be restricted by the UK government, and some names could cause issues in further processing (such as business bank account applications or tax registration).

Step 3: Company Incorporation

• If everything is in order, we proceed with filing the company incorporation documents with Companies House.

Step 4: UK Registered Office Address Provision

• We provide a UK Registered Office Address, where official documents from Companies House and HMRC will be received.

Step 5: Director’s Service Address Registration

We provide a Director’s Service Address, which is a mandatory legal requirement for directors of UK companies.

Step 6: PSC (Person with Significant Control) Registration

We register the Person with Significant Control (PSC) with Companies House to ensure legal compliance.

Step 7: Web Authentication Code Provision

We provide a Web Authentication Code from Companies House, which is necessary for making changes to company details in the future.

Step 8: UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) Registration

We register the company for a UTR Number with HMRC/Companies House, ensuring compliance with upcoming tax obligations.

Step 9: UK Wise Business Account Provision

We assist in setting up a UK Wise Business Account, enabling seamless financial transactions for the company.

Additional Post-Formation Services We Provide

After the company formation is complete, Business Globalizer provides the following services:

• Soft Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation
  
  
• Basic Tax Consultation
  
  
• Annual Compliance Assistance with Companies House
  
  
• Guidance for a Business Stripe Account (Included in Standard & Premium Packages)
  
  
• Guidance for a Business PayPal Account (Included in Premium Package Only)
  
  
• 24/7 Support for Business Needs

UK Company Formation Processing Time

Standard Processing Time (With All Document Delivery)

3-5 business days from submission to completion.

Factors That May Cause Delays

Processing time may vary due to:

• Companies House Processing Delays (If they experience backlogs or slow reviews).
  
  
• UK Public Holidays.
  
  
• UK Office Closures (Government offices may close unexpectedly).
  
  
• High Volume of Applications (Peak business seasons can cause processing congestion).
  
  
• Delays from HMRC/Companies House in Issuing UTR Number
  
  
• Additional Scrutiny or Verification Requests by Companies House.
  
  
• Errors in Submitted Documents (Causing Rejections & Resubmissions)
  
  
• Additional Compliance Checks
  
  
• System Errors or Technical Issues at Companies House or HMRC

Sometimes, despite everything being correct, Companies House or HMRC just takes longer than expected to process applications—without any explanation.

Errors in Required Information or Documents That Can Delay UK Company Formation

Mistakes in a UK company formation application can cause significant delays. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

1. Unavailable or Restricted Business Name

• Mistake: Choosing a business name that is already taken or restricted by law.
  
  
• Solution: Before submitting your company name, make sure it’s unique and compliant with government and relevant authority regulations. It’s best to provide 2-3 alternative names in case your first choice is unavailable. If any restrictions arise, we’ll notify you. Need help choosing a name? Contact our support team!

2. Incomplete or Incorrect Personal Identification Documents

• Mistake: Submitting an expired passport or an unclear scan.
  
  
• Solution: Ensure that all identification documents are valid, clear, and high-resolution. If you need guidance in doing so, check our blog on it.

3. Insufficient Proof of Address

• Mistake: Providing an outdated bank statement or an unacceptable proof of address.
  
  
• Solution: Submit a recent bank statement or utility bill (issued within the last 3 months).

4. Missing or Incorrect Director & PSC Details

• Mistake: Failing to provide complete director details or PSC information.
  
  
• Solution: Ensure all director and PSC details are accurate and match your requirements.

5. Errors in Shareholder or Share Percentage Allocation

• Mistake: Providing incorrect ownership percentage details.
  
  
• Solution: Clearly define shareholder percentages before providing documents or information.

6. Delays in UTR Issuance by HMRC

• Mistake: Failing to provide the correct company details for tax registration.
  
  
• Solution: Completely depends on authority. We can reach out to them for an explanation, nothing else!

Real-World Exceptions

Fastest Case

Same-day company formation – In rare cases, we have successfully formed a UK company within 24 hours.

Delayed Case

10-15 days or more – Some formations may take longer due to Companies House or HMRC processing delays.

Refund Policy

Business Globalizer operates on a non-refundable basis once the UK company formation process has begun. Since company registrations involve Companies House filings, UTR applications, and third-party processing, costs are incurred immediately upon initiating the service.

Refunds may be considered under the following conditions:

• If the client cancels before any document submission or filing takes place, a full refund may be possible (varies case by case).
  
  
• If Business Globalizer is unable to proceed due to an internal issue, a full refund will be provided.

No refunds will be issued under these conditions:

• If the company formation has already been processed and submitted to Companies House.
  
  
• If the UTR application has been submitted to HMRC and is in progress.
  
  
• If delays occur due to Companies House processing times, HMRC hold-ups, or banking verification issues, as these are beyond our control.
  
  
• If the client provides incorrect, incomplete, or fraudulent information, leading to application rejection.

For any refund inquiries, please contact our support team to review your case or check our detailed refund policy.

Important Disclaimer: Business Globalizer’s Role in the Process

• Business Globalizer facilitates the UK company formation process by verifying documents, preparing applications, and filing them with Companies House, HMRC, and relevant third parties. However, once the application is submitted, we have no control over Companies House processing timelines, HMRC approval, or banking verification delays.

• We take a proactive approach to ensure a smooth company formation process by:
  • Verifying all required documents to prevent rejections due to errors or missing information.
    
    
  • Checking company name availability and advising on legal restrictions that could affect incorporation.
    
    
  • Providing guidance on business structures and compliance requirements to ensure a legally sound setup.
    
    
  • Facilitating UTR registration with HMRC for tax compliance.
    
    
  • Providing a UK Registered Office Address and Director’s Service Address to meet legal obligations.
    
    
  • Assisting in business bank account setup for eligible clients.
    
    
  • Registering the Person with Significant Control (PSC) and issuing the Web Authentication Code from Companies House.

• Despite our best efforts, processing times are dependent on external factors beyond our control, including:
  
  
  • Delays at Companies House (due to high application volumes, manual reviews, or internal backlogs).
    
    
  • HMRC workload and tax season backlogs (affecting UTR issuance).
    
    
  • Compliance reviews or additional scrutiny by Companies House or HMRC.
    
    
  • Third-party banking verification requirements (which vary by institution).
    
    
  • UK public holidays, federal office closures, and peak season delays (which may slow down responses).

• Unforeseen Delays & Third-Party Decisions
  • Companies House, HMRC, or banks may take longer than expected to process applications, sometimes without explanation.
    
    
  • Additional documentation or verification may be requested at the discretion of these authorities.
    
    
  • UTR applications or business bank account approvals may experience unexpected delays even when all requirements are met.
    
    
• Business Globalizer Holds No Responsibility for processing delays, additional requirements, or misplaced documents caused by:
  
  • Companies House (delays in incorporation processing).
    
    
  • HMRC (delays in UTR issuance or tax registration).
    
    
  • Business banking institutions (bank account setup delays or rejections).
    
    
  • Responsible verification agencies (which may require further compliance checks).
    
    
• Clients should be aware that the final decision, approval, and processing timeline are entirely at the discretion of these external authorities. While Business Globalizer will make every effort to facilitate a fast and smooth process, we cannot override, expedite, or influence government decisions beyond their standard processing times.

How to Contact Us?

• Existing Clients: Reach out to us directly through your dashboard for support.
  
  
• New Clients: If you’re looking to form a company, or trying to purchase any other services, contact our support team through the official channels or book a consultation for personalized guidance.

Final Thoughts

The UK company formation process requires careful documentation and precise submission. While Business Globalizer ensures a smooth and efficient process, external factors like Companies House processing times, HMRC delays, and additional compliance reviews can sometimes extend the timeline.

Need help forming a UK company? Business Globalizer is here to assist you at every step! Get started today! You can also join our Business Globalizer Forum to get insightful discussions or reach out to our support.