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Foreign Subsidiary Registration in India

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

What it is: setting up a foreign company's presence in India in the right entry mode.

Fees: Foreign subsidiary registration starting from INR 49,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges).

Options: wholly-owned subsidiary, branch office, liaison office or project office.

Compliance: FDI route screening plus FEMA and FC-GPR reporting.

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Entering India: Overview

📌 TL;DR - Foreign Subsidiary Registration Services at a Glance

A foreign company can enter India as a wholly-owned subsidiary or joint venture (an Indian company) for full operations, or as a branch, liaison or project office (a foreign company's office) for limited or specific activities. A wholly-owned subsidiary with 100% FDI under the automatic route is the most common route. FEMA reporting applies. Patron Accounting handles it from INR 49,999.

Entry mode	Best for	Approval
Wholly-owned subsidiary	Full operations and control	SPICe+, 100% FDI automatic in most sectors
Joint venture	Restricted sectors or a local partner	FDI route, per sector
Branch office	Limited commercial activity	RBI via AD bank
Liaison office	Non-revenue, market presence	RBI via AD bank
Project office	A specific project or contract	RBI general permission on conditions

The wholly-owned subsidiary is by far the most common route for foreign companies wanting full operations in India. The best entry mode and FDI route depend on the sector, activity and objectives, which we confirm case by case.

Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.

What Is a Foreign Subsidiary in India?

A foreign subsidiary is an Indian company in which a foreign company or person holds the shares - when that holding is 100%, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary. It is the most common way for a foreign business to operate fully in India.

Foreign companies can also choose not to incorporate a separate Indian company and instead set up a branch, liaison or project office - these are offices of the foreign company itself, with limited or specific permitted activities, and need RBI approval. The right choice depends on whether you want full operations, limited activity, or just a presence.

Key Terms for Foreign Subsidiary Registration:

Wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS): an Indian company 100% owned by the foreign parent.
FDI route: automatic (no prior approval, most sectors) or government (prior approval).
FC-GPR: the FEMA filing reporting the issue of shares to the foreign investor.
Form FNC: the RBI application, via an AD bank, to set up a branch, liaison or project office.

Entry Modes WOS | Branch | Liaison | Project

Which Entry Mode Is Right for You?

It depends on what you want to do in India. For full commercial operations and control, a wholly-owned subsidiary - an Indian private limited company 100% owned by the foreign parent - is the usual choice, with 100% FDI permitted under the automatic route in most sectors. For a restricted sector or a local partner, a joint venture fits.

If you only need limited or specific activity, a branch office allows limited commercial work under RBI supervision, a liaison office allows a non-revenue market presence, and a project office executes a specific contract. These offices are of the foreign company itself and need RBI approval. We assess your sector, activities and goals to recommend the right mode and route.

Our Foreign Entry Services

Service	What We Do
Entry-mode advice	Choosing between a subsidiary, JV, branch, liaison or project office.
FDI route screening	Confirming the automatic or government route and any sectoral cap.
Subsidiary incorporation	Incorporating the wholly-owned subsidiary via SPICe+.
RBI office approvals	Form FNC and RBI approval for branch, liaison and project offices.
FEMA reporting	FC-GPR and other FEMA filings on the investment.
Post-setup compliance	PAN, TAN, GST and ongoing FEMA and ROC compliance.

Our Process

Foreign Entry Process: 6 Steps

From choosing the right entry mode to FEMA reporting, here is how Patron Accounting takes a foreign company from market-entry decision to a compliant, operating India entity.

Step 1

Choose the entry mode

Decide between a subsidiary, JV, branch, liaison or project office based on your goals.

Mode matched Goals reviewed

Mode Chosen 01

Step 2

Screen the FDI route

Confirm the automatic or government route and any sectoral cap for your sector.

Route confirmed Caps checked

FDI Screened 02

Step 3

Prepare and attest documents

Collect and apostille or notarise the parent and director documents.

Apostille done KYC ready

Documents Attested 03

Step 4

Register the entity

Incorporate the subsidiary via SPICe+, or file Form FNC with the RBI for an office.

SPICe+ or FNC filed Entity registered

Entity Registered 04

Step 5

Complete FEMA reporting

File FC-GPR on the share issue and meet the other FEMA requirements.

FC-GPR filed FEMA compliant

FEMA Reported 05

Step 6

Set up operations

Obtain PAN, TAN, GST and a bank account and start operating compliantly.

PAN, TAN, GST done Bank account open

Operations Live 06

Documents Required

Parent company documents: the incorporation documents and board resolution, apostilled.
Director and shareholder KYC: passport and address proof, apostilled or notarised.
Registered office proof: in India for the entity.
Sector and activity details: to screen the FDI route and approvals.
For offices: the parent's financials and track record for the RBI application.

Common Challenges and How We Solve Them

Challenge	Impact	How Patron Accounting Solves It
Choosing the right entry mode	Wrong mode limits activity or adds cost	We match the mode to your activities and sector
FDI route and sectoral caps	Missing an approval stalls the entry	We screen the route and any approval needed
Document attestation from abroad	Apostille and notarisation are technical	We guide apostille and notarisation
FEMA reporting (FC-GPR)	Late or wrong filing attracts penalties	We complete the filings correctly and on time

Foreign Subsidiary Registration Fees

Fee Component	Amount
Patron Accounting Professional Fees	Starting from INR 49,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges)
MCA / SPICe+ incorporation government fees	As per MCA schedule, based on authorised capital and state
Branch / liaison / project office (RBI route)	Scoped and quoted separately based on entry mode and sector
Government-route FDI sectors	Scoped separately where prior approval is required

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 Foreign Subsidiary Registration consultation - Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us. No-obligation assessment.

How Long Does It Take?

Stage	Estimated Timeline
Wholly-owned subsidiary (automatic route)	About 2 to 4 weeks once documents are ready and attested
Subsidiary needing government FDI approval	Longer, depending on the approval timeline
Branch / liaison / project office (RBI route)	Several weeks to a couple of months

The main variables are document attestation from abroad and, where applicable, the government or RBI approval timeline. We move quickly once documents and attestation are in place.

Key Benefits

Why Set Up Correctly

Right mode

Full operations, limited activity or presence, matched to your goals.

FDI-compliant

The correct route, caps and approvals confirmed before you commit.

FEMA-clean

FC-GPR and reporting done correctly to avoid penalties.

Trusted by Foreign Businesses 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 helps foreign companies enter and operate in India both in-person and remotely.

Entry Modes Compared

Mode	Entity Type	Activity
Wholly-owned subsidiary	Indian company (Pvt Ltd)	Full commercial operations
Joint venture	Indian company with a partner	Full operations, shared
Branch office	Foreign company office	Limited commercial activity
Liaison office	Foreign company office	Non-revenue, representative
Project office	Foreign company office	A specific project or contract

Related Services

This page helps you choose the right entry mode. The wholly-owned subsidiary, branch office, liaison office, project office and joint venture are each handled as dedicated engagements - speak to our team to scope the one that fits. The supporting services below are available on their own:

Private Limited Company Registration - the entity used for a wholly-owned subsidiary.
FDI Compliance - FDI route screening and FEMA reporting such as FC-GPR.
ESOP for a Foreign Parent's Indian Subsidiary - equity for your India team.
Private Limited Company Compliance - ongoing ROC and statutory compliance.
GST Registration - for the new India entity's operations.
Company Registration in USA and Company Registration in UAE - for outbound expansion.

Legal and Compliance Framework

Entity options: a foreign company can operate through an Indian company - a wholly-owned subsidiary or joint venture incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 on the MCA portal - or through a branch, liaison or project office of the foreign company, each with different permitted activities and approvals.

FDI policy and routes: foreign investment is governed by the FDI policy and FEMA, 1999, under the automatic route (no prior approval, most sectors) or the government route (prior approval for sectors such as defence, media, insurance and banking), subject to sectoral caps and, for land-border countries, prior government approval (see DPIIT).

RBI approval for offices: branch, liaison and project offices require approval from the Reserve Bank of India applied through an Authorised Dealer bank using Form FNC, with branch and liaison offices generally needing a profit and net-worth track record, followed by registration of the office with the Registrar of Companies.

FEMA reporting: a foreign-owned company must report the investment to the RBI, including filing FC-GPR on the issue of shares and FC-TRS on a transfer, and documents executed abroad must be notarised and apostilled or consularised; non-compliance attracts FEMA penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about registering a foreign company in India, entry modes, FDI and FEMA compliance.

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How does a foreign company register in India?

A foreign company enters India by choosing an entry mode and registering accordingly. The most common is a wholly-owned subsidiary, an Indian private limited company 100% owned by the foreign parent, incorporated via the SPICe+ form, with 100% FDI permitted under the automatic route in most sectors. Alternatively, the foreign company can set up a branch, liaison or project office, which are its own offices and require RBI approval through an Authorised Dealer bank. The investment is then reported to the RBI under FEMA.

What is a wholly-owned subsidiary in India?

A wholly-owned subsidiary is an Indian company in which a foreign company or person holds 100% of the shares. It is a separate Indian legal entity, usually a private limited company, that can carry on full commercial operations with complete control by the foreign parent, subject to the FDI policy. It is the most common route for foreign businesses wanting a full, long-term presence in India, and it is incorporated through SPICe+ with foreign investment reported via FC-GPR.

What is the difference between a subsidiary, branch, liaison and project office?

A subsidiary (including a wholly-owned subsidiary) is a separate Indian company that can do full business. A branch office is an office of the foreign company allowed limited commercial activities under RBI supervision. A liaison office is a non-revenue representative office for activities such as market research and liaison. A project office is a temporary office set up to execute a specific contract or project. The subsidiary suits full operations, while the offices suit limited, representative or project-specific activity and need RBI approval.

Can a foreign company own 100% of an Indian company?

Yes, in sectors where 100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route, which covers most sectors, a foreign company can own 100% of an Indian company, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary, without prior government approval. Some sectors have caps below 100% or require government approval, such as defence, media, insurance and banking, and investment from countries sharing a land border with India needs prior government approval. We screen your sector before setting up.

What approvals does a foreign company need to set up in India?

For a wholly-owned subsidiary in a sector under the automatic FDI route, no prior FDI approval is needed, only incorporation through SPICe+ and post-investment FEMA reporting via FC-GPR. In government-route sectors, prior government approval is required. Branch, liaison and project offices need RBI approval, applied through an Authorised Dealer bank using Form FNC, before they can be set up. We confirm and obtain the specific approvals your entry mode and sector require.

How long does foreign company registration take?

A wholly-owned subsidiary usually takes about two to four weeks once all documents are ready and properly attested, and longer if government FDI approval is required for the sector. Branch, liaison and project offices generally take longer because of the RBI approval process, often several weeks to a couple of months. The main variables are document attestation from abroad and, where applicable, the government or RBI approval timeline.

How are profits sent back to the foreign parent?

From a subsidiary, profits are sent to the foreign parent as dividends after paying corporate tax and applicable withholding tax. A branch office can remit its profits after paying tax. All such remittances must comply with FEMA and are made through an Authorised Dealer bank with the required documentation. We set up the structure and compliance so that profit repatriation is smooth and fully compliant with FEMA and tax rules.

Foreign company India me kaise register kare?

Sabse common route wholly-owned subsidiary hai - 100% FDI automatic route me Indian Pvt Ltd banao aur FC-GPR file karo; ya branch, liaison, project office ke liye RBI approval (Form FNC) lo. Patron Accounting sahi mode choose karke poora karta hai.

Quick Answers

Most common route? Wholly-owned subsidiary (Indian Pvt Ltd).
100% ownership? Yes, in automatic-route sectors.
Offices need? RBI approval via AD bank (Form FNC).
Reporting? FEMA - FC-GPR on share issue.

Expanding into India? Choose the Right Entry Mode

India is a large, attractive market, but the entry mode and FEMA compliance are unforgiving of mistakes. Choosing the right structure and getting the FDI route and reporting right from the start avoids penalties and gives your India business a clean foundation.

Call +91 945 945 6700 or message us on WhatsApp for a confidential assessment of the right entry mode for your business.

Set Up Your India Entity Today

India is one of the world's most attractive markets, and entering it well starts with the right entry mode. A wholly-owned subsidiary, with 100% FDI under the automatic route in most sectors, is the usual choice for full operations and control, while branch, liaison and project offices suit limited, representative or project-specific activity and need RBI approval.

Across all of them, the FDI route, sectoral caps and FEMA reporting such as FC-GPR must be handled correctly. Patron Accounting, with 15+ years of experience and a CA and CS team, guides foreign companies to the right structure and manages the registration and compliance end to end.

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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 FDI policy, the sectoral caps, or the FEMA and RBI entry-route procedures change, so the entry-mode guidance stays current.