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Company Registration in India from the UAE

Planning company registration in India from the UAE? This guide covers the state of the UAE–India trade relationship, how document attestation works for Indian filings, the entry structures available to you, and the practical steps involved in incorporation.

Why now is a good time for company registration in India from the UAE

The UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has now driven bilateral trade past USD 100 billion for a second consecutive year (FY2025–26), with both governments targeting USD 200 billion by 2032. Recent cooperation extends well beyond goods trade — into strategic petroleum reserves, LPG supply, defence and maritime infrastructure, with roughly USD 5 billion in UAE investment flowing into Indian infrastructure and financial institutions, and the MAITRI virtual trade corridor now operational to cut shipping times and logistics costs between the two countries. For a UAE-based business, this is a genuinely deepening relationship, not just a headline trade number.

Documents for company registration in India from the UAE: attestation, not apostille

Unlike the US, UK, Australia or Canada, the UAE is not currently a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. That means identity documents, board resolutions and powers of attorney executed in the UAE for Indian company registration typically need to be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then legalised by the Indian Embassy or Consulate — a longer process than a single apostille stamp. Attestation requirements are reviewed periodically, so we confirm the exact current steps before you execute any documents, rather than assuming last year's process still applies.

Entry structures for company registration in India from the UAE

Most UAE-based investors — including UAE free zone entities and mainland companies — set up a wholly owned subsidiary in India, which allows full operational control and 100% UAE shareholding under the automatic route in most sectors. A Branch Office suits a UAE company that wants to extend permitted activities like consultancy, trading or IT services into India without a new legal entity. A Liaison Office fits UAE businesses that only need an India-based representative presence for coordination or market research.

As with any foreign-owned Indian company, Section 149(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 requires at least one director resident in India for 182 days or more in the financial year — a requirement UAE boards often satisfy with a professional resident director rather than relocating an existing director. See our complete guide to the resident director requirement for the details.

Company registration process in India from the UAE, step by step

Incorporating a subsidiary typically follows this sequence:

  1. Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and Director Identification Number (DIN) for your directors.
  2. Reserve your company name with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
  3. Prepare and attest the required UAE director and shareholder documents.
  4. File the SPICe+ incorporation form and supporting documents.
  5. Complete post-incorporation steps — PAN, TAN, a bank account and GST registration where applicable.

See our step-by-step incorporation guide for the full walkthrough.

FAQs: company registration in India from the UAE

Are UAE documents apostilled for use in India? Not currently. Company registration in India from the UAE uses an attestation route, not apostille: the UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents executed in the UAE for Indian company registration generally need attestation through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian Embassy/Consulate rather than a single apostille. Requirements are periodically updated, so we confirm the current process before you sign anything.

Can a UAE free zone company set up a subsidiary in India? Yes. For company registration in India from the UAE, a UAE free zone or mainland entity can hold shares in an Indian private limited company, generally under the automatic FDI route for most sectors, subject to standard sectoral conditions.

Is there a tax treaty between India and the UAE? Yes, which benefits company registration in India from the UAE directly: the India–UAE double taxation avoidance agreement has been in force since 1993, and provides for reduced withholding tax rates on dividends, interest and royalties between the two countries.

Is there a minimum capital requirement? No. India abolished the minimum paid-up capital requirement for private limited companies years ago, so company registration in India from the UAE can start with any authorised capital amount your business plan calls for.

How long does company registration in India from the UAE take? Typically around 10–15 working days once your UAE director and shareholder documents are attested and ready, covering DSC and DIN issuance, name approval and SPICe+ processing — though attestation and name-approval steps can extend this compared with apostille-route countries.

Explore other markets

AU Corporate publishes dedicated guides for businesses entering India from other markets, and a full introduction to our team on the About AU Corporate page.

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