Originally published in August 2023 / Updated in May 2025
Visa Type: Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)
I’m currently living in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), also known as the working holiday visa. This visa allows me to work, study, or start a business for up to two years.
My Business Background
In Japan, I run a small company called A-Digital Works, where I work as an IT consultant.
To handle UK-based revenue, I’ve established a new legal entity here:
👉 A-Digital Works Ltd (UK site)
What I Do
- IT Consulting (specializing in helping Japanese companies expand in Europe)
- Food & Beverage Business Consulting in the UK (supporting restaurant launches) 👉 Read more about F&B support in the UK
- Running a small Japanese language school: 👉 Nihon GO! London
All of these are now managed under the umbrella of A-Digital Works Ltd.
How I Registered a UK Company
I first referred to this article for guidance:
👉 Starting a Business in the UK – rivckmgw.com
I initially used a premium third-party agency, but honestly, I regretted it.
I strongly recommend registering directly via the UK government site instead.
Three days after applying, I received my incorporation letter from Companies House.
Yes—your personal info will be public 😅
What You Need to Register a Company
- Company address (can be your home)
- Company name
- Director (just one person is fine)
- Share capital (from £1)
That’s it!
Address
I used my home address, so no additional rent costs. Depending on your contract, some costs may be deductible as business expenses.
Bank Account
I already had a Monzo personal account and upgraded to Monzo Business.
Opening the account was easy, and the card arrived within 3 days.
Incorporation
- The actual registration process took just 1 minute.
- I received my Articles of Association via email.
Compared to the process in Japan—where you have to visit the Legal Affairs Bureau and pay hefty fees—the UK process is faster and cheaper.
Also, thanks to the digital nature of receipts and statements, managing company spending is more efficient.
Benefits of a UK Company
Here are the two biggest advantages I see:
1. Lower Corporate Tax
- UK: 19%
- Japan: approx. 23.2% (depending on structure)
Income tax in the UK starts at 20%, so leaving some profit in the company (instead of paying it out as salary) could be more tax-efficient.
2. Visa Opportunities
If you own a UK company, you may become eligible to sponsor your own visa—though it’s not easy.
The process requires:
- Applying for a COS license (Certificate of Sponsorship)
- Sponsoring yourself as a Skilled Worker
- Costs can exceed £10,000, and support from a UK resident is usually needed
Final Thoughts
So yes—you can become a CEO in the UK even on a working holiday visa.
It’s surprisingly simple.
However, running a business successfully is the real challenge.
Building and maintaining revenue is where the hard work begins.
I’ll continue doing my best to support clients in the UK and contribute to the local economy.
Contact
For collaborations, consulting, or business inquiries, feel free to reach out:
📧 info@a-digitalworks.com
Written by Ayaka Uchida
CEO, A-Digital Works Ltd
