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Branch Office of a Foreign Company in India

Reviewed by CA and CS Team, Patron Accounting LLP ICAI & ICSI Registered| 15+ Years Experience| Last Updated: Verify Credentials →

Structure: branch office of the foreign parent; RBI-approved under FEMA.

Fees: branch office setup starting from INR 89,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges).

Eligibility: 5-year profit track record and net worth of USD 100,000 or more.

Timeline: typically 6 to 10 weeks including RBI approval and FC-1 filing.

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Foreign Branch Office in India: Overview

📌 TL;DR - Branch Office Setup Services at a Glance

A branch office lets a foreign company run permitted activities in India under its own name with RBI approval. The application is made in Form FNC through an AD Category-I bank, which obtains a UIN, and the branch is then registered with the ROC in Form FC-1. A branch cannot manufacture directly. Patron Accounting does it all from INR 89,999.

Parameter	Detail
Structure	Branch office of the foreign parent (not a separate company)
Governing Law	FEMA (Establishment in India of a Branch or Office) Regulations, 2016
Approval	RBI via AD Category-I bank; Form FNC; UIN allotted
ROC Filing	Form FC-1 within 30 days of RBI approval
Eligibility	5-year profit track record; net worth USD 100,000+
Cost	Branch office setup from INR 89,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges)
Timeline	About 6 to 10 weeks

A branch office is best where a foreign company wants a direct India presence for trading, services or research without incorporating a separate company. Government fees and approval timelines vary by applicant profile and sector and are billed at actuals; RBI's 2025 draft reforms are noted as proposed, not in force.

Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.

What Is a Branch Office?

A branch office is an extension of a foreign company that is permitted by the RBI to carry on specified activities in India under the parent's name, rather than as a separate Indian company. It is governed by FEMA and registered with the Registrar of Companies as a foreign company's place of business.

A branch can earn income from its permitted activities, but it can only carry out activities similar to those of the parent and within the RBI-approved list. It cannot undertake manufacturing or processing in India directly, and it cannot do retail trading.

Key Terms for Branch Office Setup:

Form FNC: the application to the AD bank and RBI to set up a branch or liaison office.
AD Category-I bank: the authorised bank that channels the application to RBI.
UIN: the Unique Identification Number the RBI allots to each branch office.
Form FC-1: the ROC registration for a foreign company's place of business.

FEMA Office Form FNC | UIN

Who Should Open a Branch Office?

A branch office suits an established foreign company that wants a direct, income-earning India presence for export and import, professional or consultancy services, research, or representing the parent, without setting up a separate Indian company. It needs a 5-year profit track record and net worth of at least USD 100,000.

If you intend to manufacture, do retail trading, or want full operational flexibility, a wholly-owned subsidiary is usually the better route, since a branch cannot manufacture directly. We help you choose between a branch and a subsidiary before you apply.

Our Branch Office Services

Service	What We Do
Eligibility and route check	Track record, net worth and whether RBI or AD-bank approval applies.
Form FNC application	Preparation and filing through an AD Category-I bank.
RBI UIN	Coordination with the AD bank and RBI for the Unique Identification Number.
FC-1 ROC registration	Filing Form FC-1 with the MCA within 30 days of approval.
Registrations	PAN, TAN, GST and IEC where the branch's activities require them.
Ongoing compliance	FC-3, FC-4 and the Annual Activity Certificate.

Our Process

Branch Office Setup Process: 6 Steps

From the eligibility and activity check to PAN, GST and the Annual Activity Certificate, here is how Patron Accounting establishes a foreign company's branch office in India end to end.

Step 1

Check eligibility and activity

Confirm the 5-year profit track record, USD 100,000 net worth, and that the proposed activity is permitted.

Track record checked Activity permitted

Eligibility Confirmed 01

Step 2

Designate an AD bank

Choose an AD Category-I bank in India to channel the application and manage FEMA compliance.

AD bank chosen FEMA channel set

AD Bank Designated 02

Step 3

File Form FNC

Submit the Form FNC application with the parent's charter, audited accounts and KYC to the AD bank.

Form FNC filed KYC submitted

Application Filed 03

Step 4

Obtain RBI approval and UIN

The AD bank does due diligence and obtains a Unique Identification Number from the RBI CO Cell.

Due diligence done UIN allotted

UIN Obtained 04

Step 5

Register with the ROC

File Form FC-1 with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of RBI approval.

FC-1 filed ROC registered

Registered 05

Step 6

Complete registrations

Obtain PAN, TAN, GST and IEC as needed, and set up the AAC and annual filings.

Registrations done Compliance set

Operational 06

Documents Required for a Branch Office

Certificate of incorporation and charter: of the foreign parent, apostilled or notarised.
Audited financial statements: of the parent for the last 5 years.
Net worth certificate: from the parent's auditor (USD 100,000 or more).
Board resolution: authorising the branch office and the authorised signatory.
KYC and address proof: of the parent and the proposed India office.

Common Challenges and How We Solve Them

Challenge	Impact	How Patron Accounting Solves It
Activity not on the permitted list	A branch can only do RBI-permitted activities	We assess branch vs subsidiary before applying
Net worth or track record shortfall	The 2016 thresholds may not be met	We review eligibility and alternative routes
Land-border country prior approval	Certain countries need government clearance	We manage the government approval route
Missing FC-1 or AAC deadlines	Lapses create FEMA and ROC exposure	We file FC-1 in 30 days and manage the AAC

Branch Office Setup Fees

Fee Component	Amount
Patron Accounting Professional Fees	Starting from INR 89,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges)
Government fees	Billed at actuals; vary by applicant profile and sector
Apostille / notarisation and bank charges	At actuals, depending on the parent's jurisdiction
Ongoing compliance	Scoped separately (FC-3, FC-4, AAC, PAN/TAN/GST/IEC)

All fees and charges listed are indicative only and do not constitute a binding offer. Final amounts may vary depending on the volume of work and the complexity involved.

Professional service charges for drafting, filing, and representation are separate from the statutory fees. The exact fee depends on the complexity of the case, disputed amount, and number of hearings required. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Get a free Branch Office Setup consultation - Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us. No-obligation assessment.

How Long Does Setup Take?

Stage	Estimated Timeline
Branch office (overall)	About 6 to 10 weeks
AD bank due diligence and RBI review	The main driver of the timeline
Land-border countries / sensitive sectors	Take longer; FC-1 within 30 days of approval

The RBI review is more involved than a standard company incorporation. Land-border country applications and sensitive sectors take longer because of the government approval route. The FC-1 filing follows within 30 days of approval.

Key Benefits

Why Set Up a Branch with a Professional

Direct India presence

Operate under the parent's own name and brand, not a separate company.

Income-earning operations

Earn from RBI-permitted activities such as trading, services and research.

Clean FEMA compliance

Timely FC-1, FC-3, FC-4 and the Annual Activity Certificate protect your status.

Trusted by Foreign Companies Entering India

10,000+ Businesses | 4.9 Google Rating | 50,000+ Documents Handled | 15+ Years Experience

Trusted by clients including Hyundai, Asian Paints and Bridgestone. With offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi and Gurugram, Patron Accounting serves foreign companies entering India both in-person and remotely.

Branch Office vs Subsidiary vs Liaison Office

Factor	Branch Office	Wholly-Owned Subsidiary	Liaison Office
Legal status	Extension of parent	Separate Indian company	Representative only
Income in India	Yes, permitted activities	Yes, full	No
Manufacturing	Not directly	Allowed	No
Approval	RBI via AD bank	Automatic route (most sectors)	RBI via AD bank
Best for	Trading, services, research	Full India operations	Market presence only

Related Services

Comparing entry routes? Many foreign parents weigh a branch against a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is a separate Indian company that allows manufacturing and full activity; we advise on both before you apply. Pair either with our FDI compliance service, or a private limited company registration. Expanding the other way? See our company registration in USA service, and we also advise on company registration in Singapore.

Legal and Compliance Framework

FEMA (Establishment in India of a Branch or Office) Regulations, 2016: a branch office is set up with RBI permission through an AD Category-I bank via Form FNC, with a UIN allotted; the branch may carry on only the activities permitted by the RBI (overseen by the RBI).

Eligibility: the parent must have a profit-making track record in the preceding 5 financial years and net worth of at least USD 100,000, and applicants from land-border countries need prior government approval.

Companies Act, 2013 - Form FC-1: a foreign company establishing a place of business in India must register with the Registrar of Companies by filing Form FC-1 within 30 days of RBI approval, and file FC-3 financial statements and FC-4 annual return each year (via the MCA); an Import Export Code may be obtained from the DGFT where the branch trades goods.

Annual Activity Certificate and 2025 draft: the branch must file an Annual Activity Certificate certified by a Chartered Accountant. RBI's Draft Establishment Regulations, 2025 propose removing the net worth and profit criteria and a negative-list model, but are not yet in force.

How does a foreign company open a branch office in India?

A foreign company opens a branch office by applying to the RBI through a designated AD Category-I bank in Form FNC, with its charter, five years of audited accounts and a net worth certificate. The AD bank does KYC and forwards the application to the RBI CO Cell, which allots a Unique Identification Number. Within 30 days of approval, the company registers the branch with the Registrar of Companies by filing Form FC-1.

What is Form FNC and how is it different from FC-1?

Form FNC is the application made to the AD Category-I bank and RBI to obtain permission to set up a branch or liaison office in India. Form FC-1 is a separate filing with the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act, 2013 to register the foreign company's place of business, made within 30 days of RBI approval. In short, FNC obtains the RBI approval and FC-1 completes the ROC registration.

What activities can a branch office do in India?

A branch office can carry out activities permitted by the RBI that are similar to those of the parent, including export and import of goods, professional or consultancy services, research, promoting technical or financial collaborations, representing the parent as a buying or selling agent, and IT and software services. It must operate within this permitted list and cannot take on activities the parent does not undertake.

Can a branch office manufacture in India?

No. A branch office cannot carry out manufacturing or processing activities directly in India. If a foreign company wants to manufacture in India, it must do so through a separate entity such as a wholly-owned subsidiary, or in a special economic zone subject to specific conditions. A branch office is also not permitted to engage in retail trading. This is a key reason many manufacturers choose a subsidiary instead.

What is the eligibility to open a branch office in India?

Under the current 2016 framework, the foreign parent must have a profit-making track record in the immediately preceding five financial years in its home country and a net worth of at least USD 100,000 or its equivalent, certified by its auditor. Applicants from countries sharing a land border with India need prior government approval. RBI's 2025 draft proposes removing these financial criteria, but it is not yet in force.

How long does branch office approval take?

Setting up a branch office typically takes about six to ten weeks. The timeline is driven mainly by the AD bank's due diligence and the RBI's review, which is more involved than a standard company incorporation. Applications from land-border countries or in sensitive sectors take longer because they require the government approval route. The Form FC-1 registration with the ROC follows within 30 days of RBI approval.

What is the difference between a branch office and a subsidiary?

A branch office is an extension of the foreign parent that can carry on only RBI-permitted activities and cannot manufacture directly, and it is set up with RBI approval. A wholly-owned subsidiary is a separate Indian company that can carry on full commercial activity, including manufacturing, with 100% FDI under the automatic route in most sectors. The subsidiary offers more flexibility, while a branch keeps operations under the parent's name.

India me foreign company ka branch office kaise khole?

AD bank ke through Form FNC se RBI approval lo, UIN milta hai, phir 30 din me ROC ke paas FC-1 file karo. Patron Accounting eligibility se compliance tak sab sambhal leta hai.

Quick Answers

Approval by? RBI via an AD Category-I bank (Form FNC).
ROC filing? Form FC-1 within 30 days of RBI approval.
Can it manufacture? No; only permitted activities, no manufacturing.
Eligibility? 5-year profit record and USD 100,000 net worth.

Planning a Direct India Presence? Set Up Your Branch Office

A branch office is approval-led and FEMA-heavy: the permitted-activity list, the Form FNC application and the recurring AAC are where foreign parents get stuck. Professional handling keeps the RBI approval and annual compliance on track.

Call +91 945 945 6700 or message us on WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation quote on your branch office setup.

Start Your Branch Office Today

A branch office lets an established foreign company run permitted, income-earning operations in India under its own name, without incorporating a separate company. It is an RBI-approval-driven, FEMA-heavy route: the Form FNC application through an AD bank, the UIN, the FC-1 ROC registration, and the recurring Annual Activity Certificate all need careful handling, and the branch cannot manufacture directly.

RBI's 2025 draft reforms may ease entry in future but are not yet in force. Patron Accounting, with 15+ years of experience and a CA and CS team, manages the approval, registration and ongoing FEMA compliance end to end.

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Foreign Company Setup and FEMA Compliance Across India

We set up branch offices and handle FEMA compliance nationwide - in-person in these cities and remotely everywhere else.

FDI Compliance by City

FEMA support for foreign entities, handled locally

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Content Created: 3 June 2026 | Last Updated: | Next Review: 3 December 2026 | Reviewed By: CA & CS Team, Patron Accounting LLP

This page is reviewed every 6 months or whenever the RBI branch and office regulations, the FEMA establishment rules, or the Companies Act foreign-company provisions change, including the RBI 2025 draft once notified, so the branch office guidance stays current.