United Kingdom vs United States

United Kingdom

• Companies House processes online incorporation in 24 hours for £100, with same-day service available for £156 if submitted before 3pm.
• No UK-resident director, shareholder, or local partner required — a foreign national can own and direct a UK company with zero local participation.
• No minimum share capital for private limited companies. A single £1 ordinary share is the standard formation capital.
• The UK has over 130 double taxation agreements in force — one of the world's largest treaty networks — reducing or eliminating withholding taxes on cross-border dividends, interest, and royalties.
• Corporation Tax small profits rate is 19% for companies earning under £50,000, competitive with Ireland (12.5%), Singapore (17%), and lower than Germany (~30%) and France (25%).

United States

• The US is the world's largest economy at ~$29.7 trillion GDP (2024 nominal). You're incorporating into a market that accounts for roughly a quarter of global economic output.
• Zero minimum capital required. Every entity type — C-Corp, LLC, LLP — can be formed with $0 in paid-up capital. No federal or state minimum exists.
• ~5.64 million new business applications were filed in 2025, up from ~5.25 million in 2024. State filing portals, IRS processes, and registered agent networks all handle this volume routinely.
• Delaware offers 24-hour expedited formation. Most states process filings in 1–5 business days. You can have a legal US entity within a week without visiting the country.
• Foreign nationals face no ownership restrictions on C-Corps or LLCs. No US citizenship, residency, or visa is required to be a shareholder, member, or director.

Government fees

• Companies House Online£50
• Companies House Paper£71
• Same-day Service£78

Government fees

• Formation (Wyoming)$102
• Formation (Delaware)$90
• EIN (IRS)$0