{"id":1001,"date":"2021-12-29T03:02:43","date_gmt":"2021-12-29T03:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=1001"},"modified":"2025-07-02T00:42:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T23:42:30","slug":"opening-foreign-branch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/opening-foreign-branch\/","title":{"rendered":"Opening a Foreign Branch of Your Business in England or Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

The prospect of opening a foreign branch of your business in England or Wales is an exciting one but does not come without legal hurdles. Although there are some formalities and paperwork you will need to complete, the process is relatively straightforward. This article will first explain the difference between registering an overseas company and incorporating a company in England and Wales. It will then explain when you must register as an overseas company and why you might want to. It will finally walk you through the process of registering your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This article only applies to incorporated businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jurisdictions in England and Wales and the UK<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are three separate legal jurisdictions in the UK: England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Therefore, this article only applies to foreign businesses operating in England and Wales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening a Foreign Branch vs Incorporating in England and Wales\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you already have an incorporated company registered in another country outside of the United Kingdom (including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland), you have two main options:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. incorporate a new company in England and Wales as a subsidiary of your existing company; or<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. register your existing company as a foreign branch of your business in England and Wales.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In general, if you incorporate a new company as a \u201csubsidiary\u201d, it will be wholly owned by its \u201cparent company\u201d (i.e. your current company) and will have a separate legal existence. This means the parent company will not be liable for its debts, but the parent company is subject to the laws of England and Wales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    On the other hand, if you register your existing company as a foreign branch of your business, the process is quicker. Likewise, you will have more flexibility to make decisions because you will not be subject to UK company law. However, you will not have the benefit of limited liability for your operations in England and Wales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    This article sets out the process of registering your company as an overseas company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

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