Starting your own business

[PnOedOff]

My husband has a registered business in his home country already, he is considering registering it in the UK also even though he won't be doing any trading here. It mentioned that setting up your own business could affect your immigration status. He is here on a settlement visa at present, valid for 2 years, will this cause any problems, or is it not worth doing this at all? And just leave it as registered over seas? thanks

[John]

He is here on a 27-month spouse visa? You are British, or otherwise settled in the UK?

[PnOedOff]

I am british yes and he came in september, visa will expire in 2012.

[John]

Thank you for confirming that. As the holder of a spouse visa he is entitled to be employed, or self-employed, or indeed both of those.

What is your husband actually thinking of doing. Registering a Limited Company here in the UK? Initially at least keeping that company dormant? And then possibly activating it later?

[PnOedOff]

He wants to register a limited company but he will be trading but not in the UK. Its primarily just to establish that he has a legally registered business as some wholesalers he deals with require proof he has a business set up in the UK.

[John]

There is nothing to prevent him starting a limited company, or for that company to be trading overseas.