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Choosing a legal structure when you're starting a business: the differences between being a sole trader and a limited company, including legal risk, registration and taxes.

Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa to set up a branch of an overseas business - eligibility, fees, documents, extend, switch or update, bring your partner and children.

• Overview

  A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch…

• Eligibility

  To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to: have a valid…

• How much it costs

  When you apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough…

• Documents you’ll need to apply

  When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship…

• Apply from outside the UK

  You must apply online for a UK Expansion Worker visa. Check which…

• Your partner and children

  Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as…

• Extend your visa

  You can apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa if all the following…

• Update your visa if your job changes

  You’ll need to apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa if your job…

• Switch to this visa

  You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK Expansion Worker…

Annual accounting and VAT - eligibility, thresholds, returns and payment deadlines and joining or leaving the scheme

• Overview

  Usually, VAT-registered businesses submit their VAT Returns and payments…

• Eligibility

  You can join the Annual Accounting Scheme if: you’re a VAT-registered…

• Join or leave the scheme

  How to join the Annual Accounting Scheme depends on whether you’re…

• Return and payment deadlines

  Check your VAT Return and payment deadlines in your HM Revenue and Customs…

Incorporate a private limited company - register it with Companies House and rules on directors, shares, articles of association and telling HMRC about the company

Sign in to the Rural Payments service to make a rural payments claim or update your details. Find out how to register for an account.

We are the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. DBT is a ministerial department, supported by 19 agencies and public bodies .

• Updated: 13 June 2025

Running a business from home - insurance, business rates, expenses, tax allowances

The rules for employment agencies and businesses: licences, vulnerable people, opting out, job advertisements, transfer fees, trade unions, terms and conditions and contracts, travel and accommodation for work-seekers

Complete this questionnaire and return it to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) if your self-catering property in England has met the criteria to be eligible for business rates.

BBB works with the Department for Business and Trade .

• Updated: 10 May 2023