Branch Office in India
Foreign companies can establish Branch Offices in India to extend operations and access the Indian market without full capital infusion.
About Branch Office
Foreign companies engaged abroad can set up a Branch Office in India as per RBI Master Directives.
Benefits of Forming Branch Office
- Extension of foreign setup in India; access Indian market without large capital.
- Represents and maintains parent company's brand value.
- Covered under double taxation treaty; no separate tax returns required.
- Can perform revenue-generating activities subject to RBI restrictions.
Basic Requirements
- Managed by authorized representative in India.
- Applicant must be foreign-incorporated corporate body.
- Parent company must have profitable track record for last 5 years.
- Net Worth of parent company ≥ USD 100,000 or equivalent.
Drawbacks of Operating Branch Office
Understand potential challenges before setup.
Higher Tax Rate
Compared to Indian subsidiaries, tax rate is higher.
RBI Approval Time
Mandatory prior approval from RBI; process may take 45-60 days.
Limited Expansion
Cannot undertake new activities beyond RBI-approved scope.
What You Get from Register Your Startup
End-to-end support for your Branch Office setup in India.
Certificates & Registrations
Incorporation Certificate, RBI Approval, PAN & TAN, GST Registration, ESI & EPF letters.
Digital Signatures
One digital signature for the authorized representative.
Additional Support
Bank account setup, tax handbook, and compliance guidance.
Step-by-Step Process for Establishing a Branch Office
Step I: Information for Indian Nominee Director & Authorized Representative
- For Indian Directors with DIN: PAN, Aadhaar, email, phone, photograph.
- For Indian Directors without DIN: Identity & address proof, duration at address, educational qualification, occupation details, email, phone, photograph.
Step II: Documents for Foreign Individual Representatives
- Proof of Identity & Residential Address (apostilled & notarized), email, phone, photograph.
- Non-English documents must have certified translations.
Step III: Registered Office Documents
- Proof of address, lease/rent deed, NOC from owner, PAN of property owner.
Step IV: Documents from Parent (Foreign) Company
- Board resolution, authorized representative ID, MOA & AOA, audited financial statements, KYC from bank.
Step V: Submission of Form FNC to RBI
- Submit Form FNC through AD Bank with supporting documents for RBI approval.
Step VI: ROC Registration after RBI Approval
- Submit ROC documents including RBI approval letter, DSC, INC-9, DIR-2, translations if required.
Step VII: Post-Incorporation Registration
- PAN & TAN registration, bank account opening, GST registration, IEC for imports/exports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common queries about Branch Office registration in India.
Start Your Branch Office Today
From RBI approval to ROC registration, we guide you every step of the way.