Company formation

Check the availability of your chosen company name and then select the UK company type that suits your needs.

 

UK Company Formations

Welcome to the Vistra UK Formations Portal

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Whether you are an existing business looking to incorporate or a professional adviser acting on behalf of your client, we're here to help ensure that your company formation is right the first time. Most businesses will opt for a private limited company, which can have one or multiple share classes. But if this type of company doesn't work for you, there are other options. A company limited by guarantee a limited liability partnershipprofessional practice company, or plc might be a better fit for your business. Or perhaps you're looking to set up a property management or community interest company.

Don't see a package that suits you? Call our expert UK company formations team on 0117 918 1391 to discuss custom-tailored company formations.

 

To choose from our range of company types and packages select from the table below.

 

 

Private Limited Company

The most popular choice for businesses, a private company limited by shares provides its owners with limited liability.  Our electronic formations service means it's easy and straightforward to set up.

Standard
£130.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £780.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistra articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now
Multiple Share Class Companies
 
We can help you set up a company with more than one share class that will give you a more complex share structure that offers variation in rights and other privileges.

Standard
£355.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £1005.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistra articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now
Property Management Company
 
Used to manage all or part of a site or building on behalf of its owners, a property management company is a popular choice for residential flats but can also be used for commercial or industrial premises.

Standard
£275.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £925.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order by shares Order by shares
  Order by guarantee Order by guarantee
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistras' articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order by shares Order by shares
  Order by guarantee Order by guarantee
Guarantee Companies (Non-charitable)
 
This is the ideal choice for not-for-profit organisations, like community projects or sports clubs, that need a corporate structure in order to protect their members from personal liability.  Note that these companies are not suitable for registered charities.

Standard
£325.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £975.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistra articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now
Limited Liability Partnerships
 
A limited liability partnership is the perfect choice is you're looking for the protection of limited liability combined with the flexibility of operating as a partnership.

LLP - Standard
£195.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a LLP, confident that you will need no additional support.

LLP Administration Service
from £845.00 + vat*

All of the LLP's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will provide an  
administration service.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles or draft member's agreement (for a UK LLP)

6 bound copies of Vistra articles of association together with model articles

LLP Company register Retained by Vistra
Form LL AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Administration service and registered office in Bristol, London or Edinburgh  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now

Offshore companies

If you are looking to set up a company outside the UK, we can help you incorporate in a range of jurisdictions.

BVI
company
£POA 

Incorporation of BVI Companies
 

Enquiry

Jersey
company
£POA 

Incorporation of Jersey Companies
 

Enquiry

Cyprus
company
£POA 

Incorporation of Cyprus Companies
 

Enquiry

Seychelles
company
£POA

Incorporation of Seychelles Companies

Enquiry

Hong Kong
company
£POA 

Incorporation of Hong Kong Companies

Enquiry

General appellation of typical private investment vehicle 

British Virgin Island Business Company (BVIBC)

Zero tax rated

Private Company

International Business Company (IBC)

Private Company

Governing corporate legislation 

British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act, 2004

Companies Jersey Law 1991 (as amended)

Companies Law, Cap 113

International Business Companies Act 1994

Companies Ordinance (Ord. No. 28 of 2012)

Time-scale for incorporation

2 – 3 days

Fast track 24 hours, otherwise 3-4 working days.

10 days

24 hours

7 - 10 working days

Availability of ready-made companies – subject to due diligence

Minimum and maximum number of shareholders 

Minimum one. No maximum

Minimum one for a private company and two for a Plc.

Minimum one. Maximum 50.

Minimum one. No maximum.

Minimum one. Maximum 50.

Statutory minimum paid-up capital requirements

None

None

Euros 1

None

None

Standard authorised capital

50,000 shares

£10,000

Euros 10,000

US$100,000 (licence fee is US$100 irrespective of authorised share capital)

HK$10,000

Residency requirement on shareholders or shareholders' meetings 

None

None

None

None

None

Information published relating to shares and shareholders

Share register at the registered office address; available for inspection by members. Not publicly available

Registered shareholders published

Registered shareholders published

None

Registered shareholders published.

Minimum and maximum number of directors

Minimum one, no maximum

Minimum one, no maximum

Minimum one

Minimum one, no maximum

Minimum one, no maximum

Are corporate directors permitted?

Yes

Yes. The company must be licensed and regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission

Yes

Yes

Must have st least 1 individual director, corporate directors are permitted to act alongside the individual unless it is publically listed or limited by guarantee

Information published relating to directors 

Directors register at the registered office address. Not available to the public

None

Directors' details published.

None

Directors' details published.

Nationality and residency requirements of directors 

None

None

None

None

None

Must accounts be filed publicly?

No

No

Yes

No

No

Must accounts be audited, and if so by whom?

No

No

Yes, by Cyprus-Registered auditors

No

Yes, Auditors must be qualified under the Professional Accountant

Must the company have a registered presence in the territory of incorporation?  Yes, Registered office and agent Yes, Registered Office Yes, Registered Office. Yes, Registered Office and Registered Agent Yes, Registered Office.
Information published relating to shares and shareholders

No

Not mandatory

Company seal

Required

Optional

Required

Optional

Required

  More info More info More info More info More info
Right to Manage Company 
 
If you are a tenant in England or Wales, a Right to Manage company could give you and your fellow tenants the right to take over from your landlord the management of the building you share.

Standard
£300.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £950.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistras' articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees apply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now

Professional practice companies - from £POA + vat

Professional practices across many sectors are increasingly recognising the benefits of operating as a limited company.

Contact us for more information

 

Community Interest Company - from 495.00 + vat

The CIC model is designed to provide an effective legal form for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good. Their aim is to provide benefit to the community or to trade with a "social purpose," rather than to make a profit.

Contact us for more information

 

Unlimited Company - from 495.00 + vat

Whilst it must be a mobile company, an unlimited liability company may or may not have a share capital. There is no limit to the liability of members in the event of the company being wound up. Otherwise, members are liable only for whatever sums remain unpaid on their shares.
If this is the right structure for you, we can help you with the registration of an unlimited company.

Contact us for more information

Public Limited Companies
 
A Public Limited company (plc) is a limited liability company whose shares may be freely sold and traded to the public and whose shares may be listed on a stock exchange.

Standard
£395.00 + vat

Perfect if you just need a company, confident that you will need no additional support.

Company Secretarial Service
from £1045.00 + vat*

All of the company's statutory compliance is met, and Vistra will act as your company secretary.

  Order now Order now
  More info More info

Registry fees

Electronic certificate of incorporation

Printed certificate of incorporation

Electronic Vistra articles of association with model articles

6 bound copies of Vistra articles of association together with model articles

Company register Retained by company secretary
Form AA01 to change the company's accounting reference date  Additional fees apply
Electronic first board minutes, completed company registers and share certificates  Additional fees apply
Registered Domain name of your choice Additional fees apply Additional fees apply
Business email and website hosting Additional fees apply Additional fees appply

Maintenance of company registers

 
Preparation and filing of Confirmation statement  
Accounts reminders and approval  
Use of our registered office address in Bristol or Edinburgh. We can provide a prestigious London address for a small premium.  
Appointment of our Company Secretary  
Free online access to your company records  
Copy of company incorporation documents from Companies House
*Annual fees apply Order now Order now