British small ships registry is available only to residents of the UK. A corporation may not register on British Small Ships.

To be eligible to register on Part III, applications need to be made either by a British Citizen, Non-UK citizens exercising their EU right of freedom of movement or worker’s right for establishment; British Dependent Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens; People who are British subjects under the British Nationality Act 1981; People who are British Nationals (overseas) under Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986; Commonwealth citizens not falling within this paragraph.

For the purpose or registering a small ship it means an owner lives in the UK for periods which add up to 185 days or more in a 12 month period. If you are a resident in the UK for tax purposes, you will generally be regarded as a resident.

An alternative is British Ships (Part I).

Members (Citizens) of the Commonwealth who may register on British Small Ships IF they reside in the UK for 185 days or more in a 12 month period.