Can a foreigner start a company in India?

Foreign nationals can participate in an Indian company subject to applicable company law, sectoral rules, investment routes and documentation requirements.

Can a foreign company establish a wholly owned subsidiary?

Yes, in the large majority of sectors. Where 100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route for your business activity, you can incorporate a Wholly Owned Subsidiary — an Indian private limited company (minimum two shareholders) in which your foreign parent holds the entire shareholding, directly or through group entities. It's treated as a domestic Indian company for tax and FEMA purposes despite being fully foreign-owned, which means it can access India's concessional 22% or 15% corporate tax rates — a meaningful advantage over a Branch Office, which is taxed at 35%. A smaller set of sectors either cap foreign ownership below 100% or require government approval, which is one of the first things we check for any prospective client.

Do I need an Indian resident director for my subsidiary?

Yes. Under Section 149(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, every Indian company — including a wholly owned subsidiary with 100% foreign shareholding — must have at least one director who has stayed in India for a total of 182 days or more during the financial year. It's a cumulative count, not a single continuous stay, but if your board is entirely foreign directors who only visit occasionally, this requirement is easy to miss and carries real penalties for non-compliance. Most foreign-owned companies satisfy it by appointing a professional resident/nominee director alongside their own board.

What documents are required to register a company?

Requirements vary by structure, but for foreign directors and shareholders commonly include a passport, proof of address, a signed consent to act as director, and a board resolution authorising the Indian investment. Documents executed outside India typically need to be notarised and apostilled, and constitutional documents plus proof of a registered office are required for the Indian entity itself.

What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and Director Identification Number (DIN)?

A DSC is required to digitally sign incorporation filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and a DIN is a unique identifier every director of an Indian company must hold. Both are obtained as part of the incorporation process, including for foreign directors.

Can an NRI register a company in India?

Yes. NRIs can register and hold shares in an Indian company, subject to the same company law, FEMA and sectoral investment rules that apply to other participants, alongside any NRI-specific reporting requirements.

How long does incorporation take?

With your documentation in order — director and shareholder KYC, name approval, and any documents apostilled in your home country — a Wholly Owned Subsidiary can typically be incorporated within 2 to 3 weeks. The Digital Signature Certificate, Director Identification Number, name reservation and the SPICe+ incorporation filing (which bundles PAN, TAN and other registrations into one form) all move through a largely digitised Ministry of Corporate Affairs process. In practice, the most common cause of delay isn't government processing — it's documents held up in notarisation or apostille back home, so we usually start that process in parallel with everything else.

How much does it cost to register a company in India?

Cost depends on the structure you choose, professional and government fees, and the scope of ongoing support you need. We provide a clear estimate once we understand your specific plans.

What is the difference between a subsidiary and a Branch Office?

A subsidiary is a separate Indian company. A branch office is an extension of the foreign company and operates within permitted activities.

What's the difference between a Liaison Office, Branch Office and Project Office?

A Liaison Office can only act as a communication channel for the parent company and cannot generate income in India — all costs are met through inward remittances. A Branch Office can carry out most of the parent company’s business activities and generate local revenue, but generally cannot manufacture directly. A Project Office is set up to execute a specific contract awarded to the foreign company by an Indian entity, with activities tied to that project. All three require approval from an RBI-authorised bank.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Branch Office or Liaison Office in India?

Both require prior approval from an RBI-authorised bank, and both are judged on the parent company's track record. A Branch Office needs a profit-making record for the 5 financial years immediately before applying, plus a net worth of at least US$100,000. A Liaison Office has a lower bar — a 3-year profit-making record and a net worth of at least US$50,000 — but in exchange it can only act as a communication channel; it cannot sign contracts, invoice customers or earn any income in India. A Liaison Office's registration is also time-limited (3 years, renewable, or 2 years for NBFCs and construction/development entities), while a Branch Office has no fixed tenure. A Wholly Owned Subsidiary has no home-country track record requirement at all, which is one reason many first-time investors prefer it over a Branch Office.

What FEMA or RBI reporting is required after receiving foreign investment?

Indian companies receiving foreign investment must report it to the RBI through the FIRMS portal — specifically, Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotting shares to a foreign investor. Every company that has received FDI (or made an overseas investment) also has to file an annual FLA (Foreign Liabilities and Assets) return by 15 July each year, regardless of whether there was any fresh investment or transaction during the year. Shares issued to a non-resident investor also need to be priced in line with RBI's valuation methodology, typically via a SEBI-registered merchant banker or Chartered Accountant. Ongoing requirements depend on your specific investment structure and any later transactions.

Does my Indian company need GST registration?

Most companies supplying goods or services in India need GST registration, generally once turnover crosses the applicable threshold, or immediately for certain categories of supply. We assess this as part of your incorporation and compliance planning.

What is GST and what rate will apply to my business in India?

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is India's unified indirect tax on the supply of goods and services. Since the GST 2.0 reform took effect on 22 September 2025, the structure has run on three main slabs instead of four: 0% on essentials like fresh food staples and healthcare, 5% on commonly used goods and services, and 18% as the standard rate covering most consumer durables and services — a separate 40% slab applies only to luxury and "sin" goods like high-end vehicles and tobacco. Which slab applies depends on how your specific goods or services are classified.

What are PAN and TAN, and why does my India entity need them?

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is the tax identification your Indian company needs for banking, tax filings and most financial transactions. TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) is required if your company deducts or collects tax at source, such as on salaries or vendor payments. Both are obtained as part of incorporation.

What's the difference between the FDI automatic route and the government route?

Most sectors in India allow up to 100% foreign investment under the automatic route, which needs no prior government approval — you invest and report it to the RBI afterwards. A smaller set of sensitive or strategic sectors require the government approval route instead, filed through the National Single Window System. Which route applies depends on your specific sector and the extent of foreign ownership.

Is there a minimum capital requirement to register a company in India?

No. India removed the minimum paid-up capital requirement for private limited companies in 2015, so there's no minimum amount you need to invest to incorporate. A minimum authorised share capital is still declared in the incorporation documents, but this is a formality rather than funds you need to hold upfront.

What corporate tax rate will my India business pay?

It depends on the structure. A Wholly Owned Subsidiary is taxed as a domestic Indian company — 30% by default, or 22% under the concessional Section 115BAA regime (effective ~25.17% after surcharge and cess, with no exemptions or deductions available), or as low as 15% under Section 115BAB (effective ~17.16%) for new manufacturing companies incorporated after 1 October 2019. A Branch Office, by contrast, is taxed as a foreign company at 35% (reduced from 40% from FY 2024–25 onward) since it isn’t a separate Indian legal entity. An LLP pays a flat 30%, with no access to either concessional regime. This tax gap is one of the clearest financial reasons most long-term investors choose a subsidiary over a branch.

Does India offer incentives for setting up manufacturing?

Yes, a substantial package. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme pays eligible manufacturers a direct cash incentive of 4%–18% on incremental sales across 14 priority sectors — electronics, pharmaceuticals, auto components, textiles, solar PV, batteries and more — with a combined outlay of roughly ₹1.97 lakh crore (~US$23 billion). Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing have their own dedicated schemes, including fiscal support of up to 50% of project cost for fabs and assembly/testing facilities under the Semicon India Programme. New manufacturing companies also qualify for the 15% concessional tax rate under Section 115BAB, and units in one of India’s 276 operational Special Economic Zones get duty-free imports and zero-rated GST on inputs. Eligibility and rates vary significantly by sector, so we typically run a dedicated incentive-mapping exercise as part of structuring any manufacturing entry.

Can profits be repatriated from India to a foreign parent company?

Yes. Dividends are freely repatriable once the applicable withholding tax is deducted, and the rate can often be reduced under India's tax treaties. Repatriating dividends doesn't need prior RBI approval, but does require standard documentation, including a Chartered Accountant's certificate.

Does India have tax treaties that reduce withholding tax on repatriated profits?

Yes. India has Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with more than 90 countries, one of the more extensive treaty networks among major economies. A DTAA typically reduces the withholding tax rate on dividends (often to 5%–15%, depending on the treaty and shareholding threshold), interest (typically 10%–15%) and royalties, compared to India's domestic rates. To claim treaty benefits you generally need a Tax Residency Certificate from your home tax authority, a Form 10F self-declaration, and an Indian PAN. Because the treaty position varies by jurisdiction — and can be affected by anti-abuse rules like the Principal Purpose Test — the choice of holding company jurisdiction is worth reviewing before you incorporate, not after.

Do foreign directors need a visa to visit or work in India?

It depends on the role. Directors in an operational or remunerated position generally need an Employment Visa, while non-executive or advisory directors may only need a Business Visa. Anyone staying in India beyond the permitted period must also register with the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).

Can AU Corporate provide support after incorporation?

Yes. The same team can support accounting, tax, payroll, FEMA, compliance and practical business operations after setup.

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Incorporation guide

How to Register a Company in India: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Every new company in India is now incorporated through a single route — SPICe+ on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs' V3 portal. For a foreign investor, the process is straightforward once you know the sequence. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, for a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

Before you start: confirm your structure and route

Most foreign investors incorporate a Wholly Owned Subsidiary rather than a Branch, Liaison or Project Office, since it is a separate Indian company that is taxed domestically and gives full operational control. Before filing anything, confirm the sectoral FDI position for your specific business activity — whether it falls under the automatic route (no prior approval, the default for most sectors) or requires government approval first — since this determines both your timeline and your documentation.

Step 1: Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)

Every proposed director and subscriber needs a Digital Signature Certificate to sign the incorporation filings electronically. For foreign directors, this typically means completing identity verification remotely with a licensed certifying authority — it is usually the first document in the pipeline because nothing else can be digitally filed without it.

Step 2: Name reservation — SPICe+ Part A

SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) is filed in two parts. Part A reserves your company name, checked against Ministry of Corporate Affairs naming guidelines for availability and compliance. With no objections raised, name approval typically takes 1 to 3 working days.

Step 3: Prepare and apostille director and shareholder documents

In parallel with name reservation, the required documents for foreign directors and shareholders — identification, proof of address, board resolutions, powers of attorney — need to be notarised and apostilled in your home country if it is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (most are; embassy legalisation applies only for non-member countries). This step, done through your own country's authorities, is usually the single biggest source of delay, since it depends on a process outside India entirely. Starting it as early as possible, in parallel with the MCA filings, is the most reliable way to keep the overall timeline short.

Step 4: Incorporation filing — SPICe+ Part B

Part B is the substantive incorporation filing: the Memorandum and Articles of Association, director and subscriber details, and registered office proof, submitted along with linked forms — AGILE-PRO-S and INC-9 — that bundle in applications for PAN, TAN, GST registration, EPFO and ESIC in the same filing. The form must be digitally certified by a practising Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost Accountant or Advocate, who verifies the documents and contents before it is submitted. With documents in order, Part B typically takes 3 to 7 working days to process.

Step 5: Certificate of Incorporation

Once the Registrar of Companies is satisfied, your Certificate of Incorporation is issued — most companies receive it within 7 to 10 working days of filing Part B, when documentation is complete and correct. PAN and TAN are issued alongside it, since they are bundled into the same SPICe+ filing.

Step 6: Bank account and receiving foreign investment

With the Certificate of Incorporation, PAN and registered office in place, you can open a corporate bank account and bring in your foreign investment. Shares issued to a non-resident investor need to be priced in line with RBI's prescribed valuation methodology, typically via a SEBI-registered merchant banker or Chartered Accountant.

Step 7: FEMA reporting — do not miss this deadline

Once shares are allotted to the foreign investor, Form FC-GPR must be filed with the RBI through the FIRMS portal within 30 days. This is one of the most commonly missed post-incorporation steps, since it falls after the excitement of incorporation itself — but it is a hard regulatory deadline, not a formality.

How long does the whole process actually take?

Adding it up: name reservation (1–3 working days) plus incorporation filing (3–7 working days) gives a Certificate of Incorporation within roughly 7 to 10 working days of a clean SPICe+ Part B filing. In practice, most foreign-promoted companies complete the full process — including apostille and document preparation before filing even begins — within 2 to 3 weeks, since apostille turnaround in your home country is usually what determines the real-world timeline, not MCA processing itself.

Common mistakes that add weeks to the timeline

Starting apostille too late. Since this step runs through your home country's authorities, not India's, it cannot be expedited from the Indian side once it is underway — start it the moment you have decided to incorporate, not after your name is approved.

Naming conflicts. A proposed name too similar to an existing company, trademark, or one that requires additional government approval (certain words are restricted) sends Part A back for revision. Checking availability properly before filing avoids this.

Missing the resident director requirement. Every Indian company needs at least one director resident in India for 182 days or more in the financial year, under Section 149(3) of the Companies Act — easy to overlook if your entire board is based overseas. See our complete guide to the resident director requirement for how foreign companies typically satisfy it.