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Planning to set up a company in India from the UK? The first real question is rarely cost — it is “what documents do we actually need?” And the honest answer is: it depends on the structure you choose. A wholly owned subsidiary, a limited liability partnership and a liaison office each sit under different rules, which means each comes with its own paperwork. Get that distinction right at the start and registration tends to run smoothly; get it wrong, and you can lose weeks re-doing forms and attestations.
That is exactly what this guide clears up. We first set out the core documents every UK business needs whatever route it takes, then work through the six structures a UK company can use to enter India — subsidiary, joint venture, LLP, liaison office, branch office and project office — explaining precisely what is required for each. Along the way we flag the step that trips up most British founders: getting UK documents notarised and apostilled correctly the first time. Whether you are testing the market or committing to a full operation, you will finish knowing exactly what to prepare.
Table of Contents
List of Common Documents Your Uk Business Needs in India
This is one of the most searched and frequently asked questions among British business owners planning to set up a company in India. The required documents may vary depending on the company structure, but here is a list of the documents generally required:
Passport of each director and individual shareholder — compulsory ID for foreign nationals.
- Address proof under two months old — bank statement, utility bill or council tax bill.
- Passport-size photo, email, and mobile number for MCA portal verification.
- Class 3 digital signature certificate for each signatory, issued in India.
- Indian registered address — lease agreement, recent utility bill and owner’s no-objection certificate.
Important Note: Every document signed or issued in the UK must be notarised, then apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Both countries are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, 1961, so no Indian High Commission attestation is needed. Allow one to three weeks — it is the biggest cause of delay.
Types of Companies UK Businesses Can Set Up in India and the Documents Required
When a UK company plans to enter the Indian market, choosing the right business structure is a key first step. India offers several options—from a wholly-owned subsidiary to liaison, branch, and project offices—each with different levels of control, compliance, and tax implications. Here’s a quick look at the main types and the documents needed to set each one up.
1. Wholly Owned Subsidiary (Private Limited Company)
The usual choice. Your UK company holds 100% of an Indian private limited company — a separate legal entity that can trade, hire staff and invoice Indian customers. Most sectors allow this under the automatic foreign direct investment (FDI) route, with no prior approval. Documents required:
- Certificate of Incorporation from Companies House — apostilled.
- Memorandum and Articles of the UK company — apostilled. These show who owns the parent.
- Board resolution approving the investment and naming the signatory — apostilled.
- Power of attorney for that signatory, if they will sign in India.
- Proof of the UK registered office — a recent bank statement or utility bill.
- Form DIR-2 (consent to act as director) and Form INC-9 (declaration) from each person.
- PAN and ID of one India-resident director — 182 days in India under section 149(3). The 120-day figure applies to LLPs, not companies.
All of this is filed through the SPICe+ form on the MCA V3 portal, along with e-MoA (INC-33), e-AoA (INC-34) and AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35), which also gives you PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO and ESIC registration.
2. Joint Venture Company
Used where the sector does not allow 100% FDI. You need everything listed for a subsidiary, plus:
- Joint venture or shareholders’ agreement — shareholding, board seats, reserved matters and exit rights.
- Identity and address documents of your Indian partner.
- Confirmation of the sectoral FDI cap before you draft anything.
3. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Suits consultancy and service businesses with no plans to raise equity. Simpler to run, but it cannot easily issue shares later. Documents required:
- Passport and address proof of each designated partner — apostilled.
- UK company’s incorporation and charter documents, if it is a partner — apostilled.
- Board resolution nominating who acts fo r the UK partner.
- Form 9 consent and Designated Partner Identification Numbers.
- Registered office proof and no-objection certificate.
- LLP agreement — filed in Form 3 within 30 days.
4. Liaison Office
A representative presence only. It can market, network and gather information, but cannot earn income in India and must be funded by remittances from the UK. Documents required:
- UK Certificate of Incorporation and charter documents — apostilled.
- Three years of audited UK accounts, showing profits and net worth.
- Board resolution approving the India office.
- A banker’s report from your UK bank.
- Form FNC to the RBI through your bank, then Form FC-1 with the Registrar within 30 days.
- Power of attorney for your representative in India.
5. Branch Office
A branch can trade — exports, imports, research, professional services — but stays legally part of the UK company. Profits can be sent back to the UK after tax. Documents required:
- UK Certificate of Incorporation and charter documents — apostilled.
- Five years of audited UK accounts, not three as for a liaison office.
- Board resolution, plus a note of the permitted activities you plan to carry out.
- Form FNC to the RBI through your bank, then Form FC-1 with the Registrar.
- Power of attorney for your representative in India.
6. Project Office
Temporary, and set up to deliver one contract in India — usually construction or infrastructure. Documents required:
- Signed contract with the Indian client.
- Proof the project is funded by inward remittance or a bilateral or multilateral agency.
- UK company’s incorporation documents — apostilled.
- Form FC-1 with the Registrar of Companies.
- Separate books of account. The office closes when the project ends.
What UK Companies Must File After Registration in India
For a subsidiary, joint venture or LLP, the foreign investment must be reported to the Reserve Bank of India on the FIRMS portal in Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotting shares. Keep the Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, the bank’s KYC report on the UK investor and a valuation certificate ready. Form PAS-3 goes to the MCA within 30 days, or 15 for a private placement, and an annual Foreign Liabilities and Assets return follows.
Conclusion
In our experience, the UK businesses that register quickly in India are the ones that prepare in the right order. Choose your structure first, as that decides every document you will need. Get your UK paperwork notarised and apostilled correctly the first time, arrange your Indian address early, and settle your resident director before filing.
The delays we see most often — late apostilles, badly worded board resolutions, a resident director chosen at the last minute — are all avoidable. Get the groundwork right, and registration itself is quick. If you would like us to take care of it, we are here to help.
How can Mercurius help UK businesses setting up in India?
At Mercurius, we help UK businesses set up and run their companies in India. We confirm which structure fits your plans, tell your notary the exact wording to use, prepare the board resolution and power of attorney in the format Indian authorities expect, and file the incorporation forms under professional certification.
After incorporation, we handle FC-GPR and PAS-3 filings, accounting, audit, taxation and payroll, so you can focus on the business.
For more information, contact our professionals at https://masllp.com/contact-us/ or book a free consultation with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Type of Company Should a UK Business Set Up in India?
A wholly owned subsidiary suits most UK businesses that want to trade, hire and invoice in India. Choose an LLP for a small services practice, a joint venture where 100% FDI is not allowed, and a liaison, branch or project office if you only need a presence, not a separate company.
2. Do UK Documents Need to Be Apostilled for India?
Yes. Documents are notarised in the UK, then apostilled by the FCDO. Because both countries signed the Hague Apostille Convention, 1961, no Indian High Commission attestation is needed.
3. What Documents Do You Need After the Company Is Registered?
Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotting shares, with the Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, the bank’s KYC report and a valuation certificate. Form PAS-3 follows, and the FLA return is filed annually.
