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Planning to Expand into India? A Branch Office could be the easiest way. If your foreign company wants to test Indian waters without jumping through too many legal hoops, setting up a branch office in India is one way to do it. It gives you physical presence, brand visibility, and local access—all without actually forming a separate Indian company. Think of it as stretching your existing business arms into India. Your team stays under one roof globally, but now you’ve got boots on the ground in a country full of opportunity.
Now, there’s a process involved—this isn’t some backdoor setup. However, once done right, it opens doors to serious growth and client trust in Indian soil.
What’s a Branch Office, Exactly?
A branch office in India is a foreign company’s local front desk—an extension of the main office that operates on Indian soil. It’s not an independent company. It doesn’t get its own identity. It just borrows your identity and runs with it, within the rules set by India’s RBI. You can’t manufacture stuff or sell retail here directly, but you can import/export, offer support services, promote your business, and take on consulting projects. It’s limited but powerful when used correctly. In short, you don’t start something new; you open a branch in India, and that’s your official entry point.
Benefits of a Branch Office in India
With this setup, you can have a presence in India while keeping your main business overseas. It’s a great option if you want more flexibility. Here’s why many global businesses prefer this instead of starting a full company:
No Company Setup Required
Expand your existing business seamlessly into India
Full Ownership
There’s no local shareholding involved; your foreign company owns it completely
Legally Earn Revenue
You can raise invoices, sign contracts, and collect payments in India for permitted activities
Build Trust Locally
Having a real presence helps when dealing with Indian customers or partners
Direct Control
There’s no dilution in decision-making or operations.
Lower Setup Complexity
Compared to forming a company, the compliance list is focused and more manageable.
Eligibility and Characteristics of a Branch Office in India
Not every foreign business can open a branch in India right away. But if you’re a genuine, profit-making company planning a proper expansion, chances are you’re eligible. There are a few basic conditions you’ll need to meet before you can even apply. The leading company should be incorporated and actively operational, and no shell setups.
- It must have a profitable track record of at least five years
- The company should show a net worth of at least USD 100,000
- It must be in an industry or activity that’s allowed under Indian laws and RBI guidelines
Also, if your company is from a country that shares a land border with India, like China, Pakistan, or Nepal, it needs prior government approval before going ahead with branch office registration in India.
Registration Process of a Branch Office in India
Let’s simplify the process. While the procedure does require some paperwork, it is manageable and straightforward when approached correctly.
- Organize Your Documents : Begin by gathering all essential company documents, such as incorporation certificates, audited financial statements, and a board resolution approving the expansion into India.
- Complete Form FNC : It’s a must for taxes and most registrations.
- Await RBI Approval : The RBI will review your application and grant approval, provided all documents are in order.
- Register for Required Licenses : Once you have RBI approval, you must register your branch office under the Companies Act.
- Get Tax Registrations : This includes getting a PAN, TAN, and, if applicable, GST registration, depending on the nature of your business activities.
- Open a Bank Account : You will need to establish a current account in an Indian bank to operate locally.
- Start Operations ! : Once these steps are completed, your operations in India can commence.
While this process involves several compliance steps, working with a branch office registration consultant can streamline much of the work and ensure a smooth setup.
Documents Required
Here’s a quick checklist for registering a branch office in India:
- Certificate of Incorporation of the foreign company
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA & AOA)
- Latest audited financial statements (usually last 5 years)
- Board Resolution authorizing the India setup
- Power of Attorney in favor of a local representative
- Director and signatory KYC documents
- Company profile and details of business activities
- Banker’s report from your home country
- Lease or ownership proof of the Indian office address
- Form FNC and declaration forms
If the documents are in a language other than English, they should be translated, notarized, and possibly apostilled to meet Indian requirements.
Compliances for a Branch Office in India
Once the branch is operational, the real challenge begins: ensuring compliance. India has a strict regulatory framework, and overlooking steps may lead to penalties or, worse, regulatory hurdles.
Here’s what ongoing compliance typically looks like for a branch office in India by a foreign company:
- Annual Income Tax Filing – Every branch office earning income in India needs to file returns and pay taxes on its income. Corporate tax rates apply.
- Statutory Audit – Your books will need to be audited annually by a Chartered Accountant in India.
- GST Filings – If registered under GST, monthly or quarterly returns need to be submitted, depending on turnover and type of supply.
- ROC Filings – Annual returns, financials, and foreign asset disclosures must be filed with the Registrar of Companies.
- FEMA Compliance – You must report foreign remittances, profits repatriated to the parent company, and other cross-border transactions.
- TDS – If you’re paying salaries, consultants, or vendors in India, you’ll need to deduct and deposit TDS.
There are also occasional declarations and notices that the RBI may require, especially if there is a change in business activity or local office address. Skipping these may feel like no big deal right now, but it could matter more than you think later on.
Our Comprehensive Services for the Branch Office
We’re not just here to help you register a branch office; we’re here to ensure you run your branch office in India confidently, legally, and smoothly. We’ve assisted several foreign companies in opening branches in India without confusion or delay.
- Pre-Assessment : We review your company profile and guide you on whether a branch office is your best entry route.
- Document Preparation & Filing : We handle everything from drafting board resolutions to helping notarize and apostillize foreign documents.
- FNC Filing & RBI Coordination : We file Form FNC through the Authorized Dealer and handle follow-ups until approval.
- ROC Registration & MCA Filings : We take care of the legal formalities under the Companies Act post-RBI clearance.
- PAN, TAN, GST, and Bank Account : We help you complete all required registrations and assist in opening your Indian bank account.
- Accounting and Bookkeeping : Complete accounting services to ensure that the financial records are up to date and accurate as required by the law.
- Audit and Assurance Services : To meet statutory audit requirements and to provide assurance services to ensure good financial reporting and compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance : Manage different registrations, returns, and certifications that are required under Indian law.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you just want to ask a few questions or you are ready to apply for Branch Office online, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step. Our goal is simple: help you go from idea to operation—quickly, legally, and confidently.
Feel free to contact us.
FAQs
Yes, but only through activities approved by the RBI, such as consulting, import/export, or providing technical support. It can’t manufacture or engage in retail trading unless specific permission is granted. Everything must fall within the scope submitted during the registration process.
On average, the process takes about 4 to 6 weeks to complete, assuming all documents are in order. RBI approval usually takes 2–3 weeks, and the rest involves ROC registration, PAN/TAN applications, and bank setup. The timeline may vary if extra clarifications are needed or if government approval is required.
Yes, 100%. The branch cannot operate without the RBI’s approval. The application goes through an Authorized Dealer bank, which forwards your Form FNC to the RBI. After reviewing your financials, purpose, and background, the RBI gives its official go-ahead for the branch office setup.
Absolutely. A branch office is allowed to hire local as well as foreign employees. However, Indian labor laws apply, so you’ll need to comply with PF, TDS, professional tax, and employee contracts. Salaries paid in India are taxable and must be reported as part of your compliance filings.
It’s taxed like a domestic business on the income it earns in India. The applicable corporate tax rate depends on the nature of services and other factors. It must also file annual returns and undergo audits. Taxes must be paid before profits can be repatriated to the parent company abroad.
Yes, once the main branch is registered, additional locations in other cities can be opened. However, these should be reported to the RBI and local ROC authorities. The activities at all locations must still fall within the original permitted business scope approved by the RBI.
There’s no official expiry date, but the approval stays valid as long as the branch remains compliant. Inactivity, non-filing of returns, or deviation from approved activities can lead to cancellation. Timely filings with the RBI and ROC keep your branch in good standing.
You’ll need prior RBI approval to change the permitted activities. Even if you’re adding a related service, it must be disclosed and approved before you proceed. Operating outside the approved scope can invite penalties or even a ban on further operations in India.
Yes, it can. After paying applicable taxes and clearing all local dues, profits can be legally remitted to the parent company abroad. Proper documentation, audited financials, and Form A2 need to be submitted through your Authorized Dealer bank to comply with FEMA guidelines..
Closing involves several steps: surrendering licenses, clearing tax dues, obtaining a tax NOC, and filing closure forms with the RBI and ROC. You’ll also need to close the bank account and repatriate any leftover funds. It’s best handled with professional help to avoid compliance gaps.
