Everything we get asked most often about UK company formation, business banking, merchant processing, and staying compliant.
Anyone aged 16 or over, from anywhere in the world. There is no UK residency requirement for directors or shareholders. You do need at least one director, one shareholder (who can be the same person), and a UK registered office address.
Most formations complete within a few hours during Companies House working hours. Complex structures or filings that need extra ID checks can take up to 24 hours. Ready made companies are available immediately.
There is no minimum. A UK LTD can be formed with a single £1 share. Most single director companies are formed with 1 to 100 ordinary shares at £1 each.
Yes, the company itself needs a UK registered office address. If you do not have one, we provide our central London address as part of our Privacy, Compliance, and All Inclusive packages.
Yes. A special resolution and Companies House filing are needed. We handle the paperwork for £29 plus the Companies House fee.
A Standard Industrial Classification code describes what your company does. Every UK company needs one when it registers. We help you pick the right code based on your actual business activity.
A PSC is anyone who owns more than 25% of the shares, controls more than 25% of the voting rights, or otherwise has significant influence over the company. Their details go on the public register.
Digital is for founders who just need the essentials. Privacy is our most popular pick because it includes a London registered office so your home address stays private. Compliance and All Inclusive add ongoing annual filings.
Yes. You can upgrade at any time by paying the difference between your current package and the new one.
Yes. Every package price shown includes the Companies House filing fee. There are no hidden extras.
All major cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and bank transfer for larger orders.
Legally no, a UK company can operate from any business bank account. Practically, a UK account or a multi currency provider like Wise makes GBP payments simpler. We introduce you to the best option for your situation.
Yes. Wise, Revolut, and Cashplus regularly accept non resident directors with proper ID verification. We arrange the introduction as part of your formation.
Digital first providers like Wise, Revolut, and Starling: a few working days. High street banks like Barclays: one to three weeks. Non resident applications can take a little longer.
Yes. Many businesses hold a primary UK account plus a Wise or Revolut account for multi currency operations.
Stripe or PayPal for most online stores. Square for physical shops. Adyen or WorldPay for high volume enterprise. GoCardless for subscriptions where direct debit works better than card.
Stripe and PayPal can be live within a day of your company being registered. Enterprise providers take longer because they involve more underwriting.
Standard UK card fees start around 1.4% plus 20p per transaction on Stripe. International cards cost more. High volume businesses can negotiate. We tell you exactly what to expect before you sign up.
We help you respond to the provider, submit the requested documents, and get the account reactivated. Existing HopeTex clients get priority support for this.
An annual filing that confirms your company's details are still correct. Every UK limited company has to file one, even dormant ones. It is included in our Compliance and All Inclusive packages.
First accounts are due 21 months after incorporation. After that, they are due nine months after the end of each accounting reference period. We track these dates for you.
If your VAT taxable turnover is over £90,000 in any 12 month period you must register. You can also register voluntarily below that threshold if it benefits your business (for example if most of your customers are VAT registered themselves).
PAYE is the system for paying salaries through your company. You need to register as soon as you employ someone (including yourself as a director drawing a salary above the threshold).
Yes. We take on existing UK companies for registered office, address services, and ongoing compliance. Just get in touch with your existing company number.
We partner with qualified UK accountants for bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, and year end accounts. Ask us for a recommendation based on your business.
We handle voluntary strike off for £99 plus the Companies House fee. The company must be dormant, have no debts, and not have traded in the last three months.
Phone +44 (0) 7916 630 777, email Support@hopetex.co.uk, or message us on WhatsApp. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm UK time.
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