Foreign Branch Setup Services in India
Establish a Branch Office in India for Your Foreign Company — RBI Approval, ROC Registration, and Compliance
A foreign company can establish a Branch Office in India to carry out specified activities as an extension of the parent — including export/import of goods, professional/consulting services, research, promoting technical and financial collaborations, and acting as a buying/selling agent. A branch office is not a separate legal entity; it is part of the foreign parent and taxed as a foreign company in India.
Establishing a Branch Office requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under FEMA and subsequent registration with the ROC as a foreign company under Section 380 of the Companies Act. Unlike a subsidiary, a branch office cannot undertake retail trading, manufacturing, or processing activities in India.
Our Foreign Branch Setup Services
RBI Approval Application
Preparing and submitting the Branch Office application to the RBI through the designated AD Bank — including the parent company's financials, board resolution, and proposed activities in India.
ROC Registration (FC-1)
Registering the Branch Office with the ROC as a foreign company in Form FC-1 within 30 days of establishing the place of business in India after RBI approval.
PAN & TAN for Branch
Obtaining PAN and TAN for the Branch Office as a separate tax entity — required for income tax filing and TDS compliance on Indian operations.
Bank Account Opening
Assisting with opening an Indian bank account for the Branch Office with an AD (Authorised Dealer) bank — required for receiving remittances from the parent and Indian business operations.
Annual ROC Compliance
Managing the Branch Office's annual ROC compliance — filing FC-3 (financial statements) within 6 months and FC-4 (annual return) within 60 days of the financial year end.
Winding Up & Closure
Advising on the process for closing the Branch Office — including RBI closure application, final income tax return, and ROC deregistration procedures.
Key Facts About Branch Offices in India
- Requires prior RBI approval — application through the AD Bank using Form FNC
- Permitted activities are restricted — cannot manufacture, retail trade, or carry on agriculture
- Branch Office is taxed as a foreign company at 40% on Indian-sourced income
- Must register with the ROC in Form FC-1 within 30 days of establishing a place of business
- Must file FC-3 and FC-4 annually with the ROC
- Profits can be freely repatriated to the parent after tax — no dividend distribution tax
- RBI approval is typically valid for 3 years and must be renewed
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can a Branch Office carry out in India?
How long does it take to get RBI approval for a Branch Office?
What is the tax treatment of a Branch Office in India?
What is the difference between a Branch Office and a Liaison Office?
Can a Branch Office be converted to an Indian subsidiary?
Establish Your Branch Office in India — Fully Compliant
RBI application, ROC registration, PAN/TAN, bank account, and ongoing annual compliance for foreign branch offices.
Get StartedF.A.Q.
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The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and other regulatory frameworks govern anti-bribery compliance.
Unethical payments, vendor kickbacks, fraud, and lack of internal controls.
By implementing strong policies, conducting due diligence, and monitoring transactions.
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