Foreign Company / Branch Office Setup in India
India is one of the fastest-growing markets for international businesses. Setting up a Foreign Company, Branch Office, Liaison Office, or Project Office allows global enterprises to establish a legal presence, engage with Indian clients, and comply with all regulatory frameworks under the Companies Act and RBI guidelines.
Why Foreign Company or Branch Office Registration Matters
Setting up a Branch or Foreign Company in India gives global businesses the advantage of operating in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies — with strong legal backing, transparent compliance, and the freedom to conduct business seamlessly. This structure allows you to explore new markets, establish credibility, and manage operations in full alignment with RBI and MCA guidelines.
Strategic Market Entry
India offers direct access to over 1.4 billion potential consumers, creating immense opportunities in sectors like manufacturing, IT, services, retail, and infrastructure. Establishing a branch or liaison office ensures your global brand can operate locally while maintaining international identity and reputation.
Full Legal Recognition
Operate with full legal status under RBI and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) approvals. You receive an official Corporate Identity Number (CIN), registered address, and tax registration — establishing immediate trust with clients, vendors, and government bodies.
Revenue & Repatriation Freedom
Branch and Project Offices can earn revenue, manage local expenses, and repatriate profits back to the parent company under FEMA and RBI guidelines. This ensures financial flexibility, transparency, and compliance with all cross-border remittance regulations.
Ease of Collaboration & Business Operations
Foreign entities can hire local staff, sign client contracts, bid for tenders, and form partnerships with Indian or multinational companies. This structure supports full operational capability while keeping ownership with the parent company.
Tax & Compliance Benefits
Enjoy the benefits of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) between India and your home country — ensuring you don’t pay tax twice on the same income. Proper structuring also enables lawful deductions and transparent reporting.
Regulatory Transparency & Governance
All operations are monitored by RBI and MCA, ensuring clear compliance and governance. This transparency boosts investor confidence and aligns your operations with India’s international trade laws and accounting standards.
Access to Local Banking & Financing
Your registered office can open Indian bank accounts, handle invoices, manage payroll, and process transactions locally — ensuring smooth operations for both B2B and B2C engagements.
Brand Credibility & Government Compliance
Having a registered Indian presence enhances brand image and legitimacy, allowing participation in public tenders, joint ventures, and long-term contracts with full legal support.
Simplified Exit & Conversion Options
Foreign entities can later convert or close their Indian branch/liaison/project office with clear exit rules defined under FEMA and Companies Act, ensuring smooth restructuring if required.
Start Your Global Business the Right Way
Setting up your Foreign or Branch Office in India requires coordination with multiple departments — MCA, RBI, ROC, and Authorized Dealer Banks. Our team simplifies this multi-agency process, ensuring your company is compliant, well-structured, and ready for business within weeks.
Our Role in the Process
We provide complete end-to-end support for setting up your foreign company or branch office in India — from entity selection and RBI approval to compliance, taxation, and operational setup. Our team ensures your business enters the Indian market smoothly, fully compliant with FEMA and MCA regulations, and ready to start operations without delays.
Entity Selection & Regulatory Approval
We assess your business objectives and guide you in choosing the right structure — Liaison, Branch, Project Office, or Subsidiary — while securing RBI and MCA approvals.
Documentation, Licensing & Setup
We handle end-to-end documentation, including parent company authentication, notarization, address registration, PAN/TAN, and local compliance filing.
Post-Setup Compliance & Operations Support
Our experts assist with FEMA compliance, banking setup, periodic filings, and audit preparation ensuring your Indian operations remain fully compliant efficient.
FAQs
A Branch Office can conduct commercial activities and earn revenue in India,
a Liaison Office can only act as a communication or representation channel (no income-generating activities),
and a Project Office is established for executing a specific project in India.
All foreign company setups require approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
The type of approval depends on your business activities and sector regulations.
Yes, A Branch Office or Project Office can generate revenue from Indian operations and repatriate profits abroad after paying applicable taxes as per FEMA and RBI guidelines.
There is no fixed minimum capital requirement for a Branch, Liaison, or Project Office. However, the parent company must demonstrate a profitable track record (usually 3–5 years) and sufficient financial resources to support Indian operations.
Typically 4–6 weeks, depending on the completeness of documentation, RBI approval timelines, and sector-specific conditions.