united-kingdom
Can someone be a director and shareholder of a company in UK without having rights to work in UK
<p>Can someone be a director and shareholder of a company in UK without having rights to work in UK ?</p>

<p>Scenario:</p>

<p>2 Directors, one is British, second one is not british and there right to work is expired, even though they applied for ILR, it will take couple of months to come back. So they are allowed to live in UK under 3C but no rights to work.</p>

<p>Can a non british person be part of shares as share holder and director with another british partner in UK ?</p>

<p><strong><em>Edit</em></strong></p>

<p>To help others who want to know answer in future...</p>

<p>I was able to open the limited company but now it seems impossible to open a business bank account as they are asking for residence card which is expired.</p>

<p>A person can be a shareholder or director of a UK company without being in the UK.  Being a shareholder or director of a UK company does not give a person a right to be in the UK.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/77/section/3C" rel="noreferrer">3C</a> leave extension is unrelated to this.  A person with 3C leave may remain in the UK on that basis regardless of whether the person is a shareholder or director of a company.</p>

<p>Attending "board-level meetings" is an activity that is allowed under the visitor rules, even if the director is paid (see <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules" rel="noreferrer">V4.7</a>), so one may conclude that doing so does not constitute "work."  It should therefore be permitted for someone under 3C leave even if the person is not authorized to work.</p>

<p>Doing work for the company other than attending meetings would not be permitted until the person gains authorization to work.</p>
