Your India entry, end to end
Foreign Company Incorporation in India
Entering India is a major strategic decision — and the structure you choose determines your tax exposure, repatriation flexibility, and compliance burden for years. We help foreign companies set up in India end to end: choosing between a wholly owned subsidiary, branch office, liaison office, or project office, completing incorporation and FDI reporting, and managing every post-setup registration so you are operational from day one.
What We Cover
- India entry structure advisory (WOS vs BO vs LO)
- Wholly owned subsidiary incorporation
- Branch / Liaison / Project office RBI approval
- FDI compliance — FC-GPR, sectoral caps, pricing
- PAN, TAN, GST, and bank account setup
- Resident director and registered office solutions
- Transfer pricing and PE risk planning
- Ongoing accounting, payroll, and compliance
Our Foreign Company Setup Services Include
India Entry Structuring
Evaluation of wholly owned subsidiary vs branch office vs liaison office vs LLP on tax rates, permanent establishment exposure, repatriation, and investor requirements — with a clear recommendation.
Subsidiary Incorporation
Name reservation, DSC and DIN for foreign directors, notarisation and apostille guidance for foreign documents, SPICe+ filing, and MOA/AOA drafting aligned with the parent company structure.
Platform Expertise: MCA SPICe+ | FDI Automatic Route | Apostilled Documents
Branch / Liaison / Project Office
Form FNC application through the AD bank, RBI approval, registration with ROC and police authorities, and annual activity certificate compliance.
FDI & FEMA Compliance
Verification of sectoral caps and entry route, reporting of inward remittance, FC-GPR filing within 30 days of allotment, and valuation certification for share pricing.
Tax Registrations & Bank Account
PAN, TAN, GST registration, Import Export Code, Professional Tax, Shops & Establishment registration, and assistance opening the Indian current account.
Ongoing Compliance Retainer
Accounting, payroll, TDS, GST returns, transfer pricing documentation, statutory audit, ROC annual filings, and FLA return — a single team managing your entire India compliance.
Key Service Features
Entry Structure Advisory
Comparing subsidiary, branch, liaison, and project office on tax, liability, repatriation, and compliance — before you commit.
Subsidiary Incorporation
Complete SPICe+ incorporation of a wholly owned Indian subsidiary with apostilled foreign documents.
RBI Approvals for BO/LO/PO
Application through AD bank for branch, liaison, and project office establishment under FEMA.
One-Stop Post-Setup Compliance
FDI reporting, tax registrations, accounting, payroll, and annual filings under one roof.
Who We Serve
Our Clients
- US, UK, and European companies entering India
- Singapore, UAE, and Asia-Pacific headquartered groups
- Foreign startups setting up GCC/captive centres
- Overseas manufacturers establishing Indian operations
- Foreign e-commerce and SaaS companies
- NRI and OCI entrepreneurs investing from abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best structure for a foreign company entering India?
For most foreign companies a wholly owned subsidiary (private limited company) is the best structure — it permits full commercial operations, limits liability, allows profit repatriation as dividends, and is eligible for 100% FDI under the automatic route in most sectors. A branch office suits specific permitted activities, while a liaison office is restricted to representation and market research with no commercial activity. We evaluate your business model before recommending a structure.
How long does it take for a foreign company to incorporate a subsidiary in India?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks once documents are ready. The main timeline driver is notarisation and apostille of the parent company documents and the foreign directors’ KYC in the home country. Incorporation itself through SPICe+ takes about 7 to 10 working days, after which the bank account, capital remittance, and FDI reporting follow.
Does a foreign company need an Indian resident director?
Yes. Every Indian company must have at least one director who has stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous calendar year. The foreign parent can appoint its own personnel for the remaining board seats. We assist clients in meeting the resident director requirement through professional director arrangements with appropriate safeguards.
What documents does the foreign parent company need to provide?
Key documents include the parent company’s certificate of incorporation and charter documents, a board resolution authorising the Indian investment, passport and address proof of foreign directors and authorised signatories, and proof of registered office in India. All foreign documents must be notarised and apostilled (or consularised where the Hague Convention does not apply).
What is the minimum investment required to set up a subsidiary in India?
There is no statutory minimum capital. Most foreign subsidiaries start with capital matched to initial operating needs — commonly Rs.1 lakh to Rs.10 lakh or more. The capital must be remitted through banking channels, shares allotted within 60 days at a price supported by a valuation certificate, and FC-GPR filed with the RBI within 30 days of allotment.
What is the difference between a branch office and a liaison office?
A branch office can carry on commercial activity — export/import, consultancy, professional services — and is taxed in India on its profits at the rate applicable to foreign companies. A liaison office cannot earn income in India; it only represents the parent, promotes collaborations, and gathers market intelligence, funded entirely by inward remittances. Both require RBI approval through an AD bank and annual activity certificates.
How are profits repatriated from an Indian subsidiary to the foreign parent?
Profits are repatriated primarily as dividends, which are freely remittable after payment of Indian corporate tax, with withholding tax on the dividend at 20% or the lower DTAA rate. Other routes include royalties, technical service fees, and intercompany service charges — all subject to transfer pricing at arm’s length and withholding compliance with Form 15CA/15CB.
What are the annual compliance requirements for a foreign-owned Indian company?
Annual obligations include statutory audit, income tax return, transfer pricing documentation and Form 3CEB for related-party transactions, ROC filings (AOC-4, MGT-7), FLA return to RBI by 15 July, GST returns, and TDS compliance. Branch and liaison offices additionally file an Annual Activity Certificate. Our retainer covers the complete calendar so nothing is missed.