Buying US Shares from the UK

Have you ever thought about owning shares of those mighty US corporate giants, such as Microsoft, Cisco, or Apple and benefit from their global success? (well, provided that you get them at a good price..). If you are British and live in the UK, it is actually quite easy to do.

Simply call your stock broker and ask to activate your dealing account for US trading. You will be asked to fill in an Individual Investor declaration form which takes about 10 minutes (asking questions such as status of employment, do you trade professionally or for a company...etc.). The form is renewed annually to keep the record up-to-date. 

And.. that is it really, you are ready to go.

Bear in mind that there are also currency exchange and tax considerations to think about. As a foreign person, your stock broker can also provide you with a Form W-8BEN, to reduce the amount of withholding tax that you are required to pay if you receive any dividends.

Here are more advices from the Telegraph.

Happy investing!