Bank account for foreign owned UK LTD, possible?

[Houdini]

Where would it be possible for a foreign owned company in the UK to open a corporate bank account? I'm not talking about EMI's ?

With all the research I have done, testing and trying I say it is impossible!

 

[Wellington]

Why on earth would you open a company in the UK if foreigner owned ?‌ I’m guessing it has no presence in the UK?

- UK has massive scam issue‍ where companies registered for legitimacy used for fraudulent investing platforms (MLM/Ponzi)

- banking even for⁠ commercial companies operating in the UK is so difficult most result in EMIs

- UK⁤ taxes

- UK regulations

- Chaos with a open communist running the treasury - literally⁣ put a portrait up of the founding partner of the British communist party

 

[daniels27]

If I look at Companies House, the UK is full of UK Limiteds owned by‌ foreigners of all sorts: Germans, Spaniards, Jamaicans and even rich dudes from more exotic places.‍

Are we talking about Limited owned by non -residents?

Afaik the banks don't care much⁠ as long as the owner can produce a UK address proof.

 

[brianK]

I have as well not been able to open any bank account yet.

 

[SCHLOSSFINANZ]

ZERO chances.

 

[avalanche]

Simple answer: access to Stripe and much lower bureaucratic burden compared to many countries and cheaper‍ than any other jurisdiction for small business.

Talking from my personal experience where local company⁠ needs to file plenty of paperwork just to pay vendors. While UK company can just⁤ receive PDF invoices of arbitrary format, send money and all good.

 

[Marios]

Try banks in Gibraltar

 

[redeye]

Do they open accounts for non‌ resident companies in the UK ????

 

[SCHLOSSFINANZ]

no.

 

[ironwood]

It will depend on the number of directors and shareholders and their passport. Your best‌ chance will be with someone with an EU passport who is sole Shareholder and Director,‍ then you have a shot with HSBC, Barclays and Natwest. There are plenty of good⁠ EMIs, ANNA, Tide, Zempler have all worked fine for me. PM me if you would⁤ like me to arrange an intro with some UK banks and EMIs

 

[redeye]

As with many other things, it's really difficult to open a bank account for a‌ company if you don't live in the same country unless the company has a genuine‍ function and isn't just a shell company. I would recommend going to the UK and⁠ speaking with someone directly, such as @James Turner Turner or similar consultants. They will likely⁤ be able to help you set up something that suits your needs.

 

[CALAY]

Actually, it depends on how you look at it. As @wellington pointed out, opening a⁤ corporate account with a UK high street bank is close to impossible these days unless⁣ the company has what banks consider a “fixed establishment” in the UK. This generally means⁢ a resident director, a proper commercial lease, and an operational presence , essentially, substance that︀ demonstrates the business is genuinely based in the UK.

Without these elements, national UK banks︁ simply won’t proceed with onboarding in 99% of the cases (6digits+ under management certainly opens︂ many closed doors). That said, some companies look beyond the UK and consider banking options︃ within the EU, particularly with prime banks that may accept UK entities under specific conditions.︄

Of course, much depends on the nature of the business, as well as the residency︅ of the UBO and directors. These factors are increasingly scrutinized across jurisdictions. Would you be︆ keen to consider banking the UK entity abroad?

 

[densofnope]

I've also have a company in the UK as a non-resident. Would you advise to‌ open a bank in another country? Please let me know. Thank you. @CALAY Turner

 

[CALAY]

Sure! Feel free to PM with your contact details and more‍ info about you case. We'll contact you tomorrow to set up a meeting.
Otherwise you⁠ can book a slot directly on our CALENDAR.

 

[Frankie]

EFG Private bank in UK, and HSCB UK are opening accounts but you will need‌ an introducer and show some really big deposit, or some huge business potential.

 

[SCHLOSSFINANZ]

or Bank Frick UK Branch
https://www.bankfrick.li/en/contact

 

[alley]

They require large investment‌ to consider you as a customer.

 

[Specialist2025]

In terms of regulation, there are banks that allow such set ups depending on the‌ director and shareholders' passports and where they live

 

[SCHLOSSFINANZ]

Yes, if no EMI then large deposit > 100k GBP...

 

[CALAY]

Banking setups‍ really depend on your specific case. It’s not one-size-fits-all anymore, especially with UK entities.

If you want proper advice, it helps to know a few things first:

• What industry you're⁠ in
  
• Rough expected turnover
  
• Where the directors/shareholders are from (citizenship + residency)
  
• countries you trade⁤ with
  

The UK’s pretty easy for company formation, but that’s exactly why banking has gotten⁣ stricter. Compliance is tight now to avoid fraud, so even if the company setup takes⁢ a day, getting a bank account can take much longer or even never being open.︀

That’s also why a lot of banks only deal through introducers,basically trusted middlemen who︁ do some of the screening and can push your file up the queue.

Happy to︂ help if you drop a few more details. Just DM or reply here.