What is foreign company registration in India?

Foreign company registration in India generally means setting up a legally recognised India presence for an overseas company through an Indian subsidiary, branch office, liaison office, project office or other permitted route.

Is a foreign company registration the same as incorporating an Indian company?

Not always. A foreign company can incorporate an Indian subsidiary, or it can establish a branch, liaison or project office depending on the activity and approval route.

Which is the most common route for foreign companies entering India?

For long-term business, contracts, revenue operations and hiring, an Indian private limited subsidiary is often the most practical route. Branch, liaison and project offices are more activity-specific.

Can a foreign company do business in India without registration?

Commercial activity in India should not be started casually without the right structure, tax registration and regulatory review. Wrong entry planning can create tax, FEMA and compliance exposure.

Does CompanyJi help choose the correct India entry route?

Yes. CompanyJi helps compare subsidiary, branch office, liaison office, project office and other routes based on activity, ownership, tax, banking, staffing and compliance needs.

What is an Indian subsidiary of a foreign company?

An Indian subsidiary is an Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act, where the foreign parent holds shares directly or through a group structure.

What is a branch office in India?

A branch office is an extension of the foreign company in India. It can undertake only permitted activities and normally needs the appropriate FEMA/RBI/AD bank route.

What is a liaison office in India?

A liaison office, also called a representative office, is used for representation, coordination and market study. It cannot undertake commercial revenue activity in India.

What is a project office in India?

A project office is generally used by a foreign company to execute a specific project in India, usually linked to a contract awarded by an Indian party.

Which route is best for sales and invoicing in India?

For regular sales, invoicing, employees, local contracts and scalable business, an Indian subsidiary is usually cleaner than a liaison office. A branch may be possible only for permitted activities.

Can any foreign company register in India?

Eligibility depends on the proposed route, sector, FDI policy, parent financials, country of incorporation, beneficial ownership and planned activities in India.

Can foreign shareholders own 100% of an Indian subsidiary?

Many sectors permit 100% foreign ownership under the automatic route, but sector-specific FDI caps, approvals and conditions must be reviewed before incorporation.

Is an Indian resident director required for subsidiary registration?

Yes. An Indian company must have at least one director who is resident in India as per Companies Act requirements.

Can a foreign individual become director in an Indian company?

Yes, a foreign national can become a director subject to DIN/DSC, identity proof, address proof and apostille/notarisation requirements where applicable.

Are parent-company financials checked for branch or liaison office?

Yes. For BO/LO/PO routes, the parent company’s financial track record, net worth, banker report and documents are typically reviewed by the AD bank/regulatory route.

What documents are required for foreign subsidiary registration?

Common documents include parent incorporation certificate, charter documents, board resolution, authorised representative documents, shareholder details, director KYC, registered office proof and apostilled/notarised documents where required.

What documents are required for branch office or liaison office?

Documents usually include parent incorporation documents, audited financials, banker report, board resolution, activity note, authorised representative details and proposed India office information.

Are foreign documents required to be apostilled?

Foreign documents often need notarisation, apostille or consularisation depending on the country of execution and MCA/RBI/AD bank requirements.

Is DSC required for foreign company setup?

Yes. Digital Signature Certificate is required for MCA filings by authorised signatories or directors.

Is PAN required for the Indian entity or office?

Yes. PAN is generally required for the Indian subsidiary or approved place of business. TAN, GST and other registrations may also be needed depending on operations.

How does CompanyJi start a foreign company registration assignment?

We begin with an India-entry route review: activity, ownership, sector, funding flow, local contracts, employee plan, tax exposure and target timeline.

What is the process for incorporating a foreign-owned Indian subsidiary?

The process generally includes structure review, name application, DSC/DIN support, drafting MOA/AOA, SPICe+ filing, incorporation certificate, PAN/TAN and post-incorporation setup.

What is the process for branch or liaison office setup?

The process generally includes eligibility review, document preparation, AD bank/RBI route support, approval follow-up, ROC filing, PAN, bank account and compliance setup.

How long does foreign company registration take in India?

Timeline depends on route, document readiness, apostille/notarisation, sector approvals, AD bank due diligence and MCA processing. A subsidiary is often faster than approval-led office routes.

Can the entire process be handled online?

Most drafting, filing and coordination can be handled online. Physical or notarised/apostilled documents may still be required depending on the country and route.

Can a foreign company open a bank account in India?

A bank account can be opened after the correct Indian entity or approved office is set up and KYC documents are accepted by the bank.

What is FEMA compliance in foreign company registration?

FEMA compliance covers foreign investment, capital remittance, share allotment reporting, branch/liaison/project office approvals, repatriation and permitted activities.

Is RBI approval always required?

No. Many foreign-owned subsidiaries are incorporated under automatic-route FDI. Branch, liaison and project office routes may involve AD bank/RBI framework depending on facts.

What is FDI reporting after subsidiary incorporation?

When foreign capital is received and shares are allotted, the Indian company must complete applicable RBI/FIRMS reporting within prescribed timelines.

Can profits be repatriated from India?

Profit repatriation depends on the structure, tax payment, documentation, sector rules and FEMA compliance. Dividends, service fees, royalties and branch profits have different treatment.

Does a foreign-owned Indian company need GST?

GST is needed if taxable supplies cross the threshold or if GST registration is otherwise mandatory or commercially required for the business model.

Does a foreign company need transfer pricing compliance in India?

If there are transactions between the Indian entity and foreign associated enterprises, transfer pricing documentation and reporting may apply.

Is tax planning required before India entry?

Yes. Tax planning should be reviewed before choosing the route because subsidiary, branch office and service arrangements can create different tax outcomes.

Does an Indian subsidiary need statutory audit?

Yes. An Indian company generally needs statutory audit and annual ROC filings, even if it is foreign-owned.

Can CompanyJi help with post-registration compliance?

Yes. CompanyJi can assist with accounting, GST, TDS, payroll, ROC filings, FEMA reporting, transfer pricing coordination and tax returns.

What compliance applies after foreign subsidiary registration?

Compliance generally includes accounting, statutory audit, income-tax return, ROC annual filings, board/shareholder records, FEMA reporting, GST/TDS/payroll where applicable.

What compliance applies to branch or liaison office?

Branch or liaison offices generally need annual activity certificates, tax filings, ROC filings, bank reporting and activity restrictions based on approval conditions.

Does a foreign company need an Indian authorised representative?

Yes. For many filings and branch/office registrations, an authorised representative in India is required.

What happens if the wrong entry route is chosen?

The company may face banking issues, tax exposure, FEMA concerns, inability to invoice, compliance delays or restructuring costs later.

Can CompanyJi manage annual compliance after setup?

Yes. CompanyJi can support ongoing compliance through accounting, tax, ROC, FEMA, GST, payroll and advisory coordination.

Subsidiary or branch office — which is better?

A subsidiary is usually better for long-term scalable business, contracts and local operations. A branch office may be suitable for limited permitted activities of the foreign parent.

Subsidiary or liaison office — which is better?

Choose a subsidiary for revenue operations. Choose a liaison office only for representation, communication and market study without commercial activity.

Project office or subsidiary — which is better?

A project office fits a specific Indian project contract. A subsidiary is better when the foreign company wants continuing India operations beyond one project.

Can a liaison office later become a subsidiary?

There is no simple automatic conversion. Usually a new Indian subsidiary is incorporated and the liaison office is continued or closed based on strategy.

Is India entry only a legal registration task?

No. It should combine legal structure, tax planning, FEMA, banking, contracts, HR, accounting and compliance from the beginning.

foreign-company-registration-india - Smart Business Solutions

Everything You Need to Know

Your Complete Guide to Foreign Company Registration in India

A foreign company should not choose an India structure only by cost. The right route depends on activity, tax exposure, local hiring, contracting, repatriation and compliance.

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Start with route selection, not form filing

Subsidiary, Branch Office, Liaison Office and Project Office have different permissions. We map your India plan before preparing paperwork.

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Indian Subsidiary

Best for revenue operations, local contracts, employees, GST invoicing and long-term India business.

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Branch / Liaison / Project Office

Useful for limited activities, representation or project execution, subject to FEMA/RBI/AD bank route checks.

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Document Legalisation

Foreign documents may require board resolutions, notarisation, apostille or consularisation before filing.

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Post-Setup Calendar

We plan accounting, audit, tax, GST, FEMA reporting, payroll and annual filings from the beginning.

CompanyJi Advisory

Choose the India route that matches your business model.

Wrong route selection can block invoicing, banking, hiring or repatriation later. Our CA-led review connects legal registration with tax and compliance reality.

✓ Revenue vs non-revenue activity check

✓ FDI sector and ownership review

✓ Parent document checklist

✓ Banking, PAN, GST and FEMA roadmap

Request India Entry Review

India Entry Consultation

Register your foreign company in India with the correct route.

Share your parent company profile, planned India activity and target setup timeline. We will help you identify whether subsidiary, branch office, liaison office or project office is practical.

What we check before filing

Foreign company registration is not just a name approval exercise. The entry route must support contracts, banking, tax and compliance.

✓Whether you need an Indian subsidiary, branch office, liaison office or project office.

✓FDI sector conditions, foreign ownership, resident director and authorised representative needs.

✓Parent documents, board resolutions, notarisation, apostille and Indian office proof.

✓PAN, TAN, GST, bank account, FEMA reporting, payroll and annual compliance calendar.

Start your company today

⬇ Get your free process & quotation

Fill this form — our expert calls back within 15 minutes with the full process document and transparent quotation

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🔒 Confidential✓ No hidden fees✓ No obligation

Why Plan Correctly

India entry decisions affect tax, banking and growth.

The cheapest setup can become expensive if it cannot invoice, hire, receive funds or repatriate profits correctly.

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Clear Entry Route

Know when to use subsidiary, branch, liaison or project office.

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Banking Ready

Prepare KYC, parent documents and remittance flow before bank account setup.

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Tax-Aware Setup

Plan GST, withholding, transfer pricing and permanent establishment risk early.

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Compliance Calendar

Stay ready for ROC, FEMA, audit, tax and annual reporting from day one.

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Foreign Document Support

Get practical guidance on apostille, notarisation and board authorisations.

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Local Execution

Coordinate registrations, Indian address proof, PAN, bank account and filings.

Documents Required

Documents usually needed for foreign company registration.

The final list depends on your route and country, but these are common starting documents.

Foreign Parent

Certificate of incorporation
Charter documents / constitution
Board resolution
Audited financial statements
Banker report where applicable
Group structure and beneficial ownership details

Directors / Representatives

Passport and address proof
Photographs and email/mobile
DSC and DIN support where needed
Indian authorised representative details
Consent and declarations
Apostille/notarisation where required

India Setup

Registered office or place of business proof
NOC from owner
Business activity note
FDI/FEMA route review
PAN/TAN/GST details
Bank account KYC package

5-Step Process

How CompanyJi handles foreign company registration.

We connect structure selection, paperwork, filings and post-registration setup in one workflow.

Route Review

We compare subsidiary, BO, LO and PO based on activity and compliance risk.

Document Checklist

We prepare parent, director, representative and India office document lists.

Drafting & Filing

We assist with MCA incorporation or RBI/AD bank/ROC route support as applicable.

PAN, Bank & Tax

We support PAN, TAN, GST review, bank KYC and remittance planning.

Compliance Setup

We create the audit, ROC, FEMA, tax, GST and payroll compliance roadmap.

Compare Routes

Subsidiary vs Branch Office vs Liaison Office vs Project Office.

The right route depends on whether you want revenue operations, representation or project-specific execution.

Parameter

Subsidiary

Branch Office

Liaison / Project Office

Best for

Long-term India business

Limited permitted activities

Representation or specific project

Revenue operations

Yes, subject to law

Restricted / permitted activities

LO no revenue; PO project-specific

Ownership

Foreign shareholding possible

Extension of foreign company

Extension / approved office

Compliance

ROC, tax, FEMA, GST

FEMA, tax, ROC, AAC

Approval conditions and filings

Everything you need to know

Foreign Company Registration FAQs

Route-wise answers for foreign companies planning subsidiary, branch office, liaison office or project office setup in India.

Entering India? Get the structure right first.

CompanyJi helps foreign promoters plan and execute India entry with legal, tax, FEMA, banking and compliance clarity.

Start India Entry Review →

FY 2026-27 Compliance Calendar

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Foreign Company Registration in India