A Branch Office in India acts as an extension of a foreign parent company, enabling the business to establish a physical presence and conduct commercial activities in the Indian market. Unlike a subsidiary, a branch office is not a separate legal entity—it operates under the name and authority of the parent company.
This model is ideal for foreign companies seeking to:
Represent their global brand in India
Explore and expand into the Indian market
Provide technical or consultancy services
Promote export/import operations
Conduct research or liaison activities
At Shiromani Associates, we ensure a smooth, compliant, and timely process for establishing a foreign branch office under Indian regulations.
The first step involves obtaining prior approval from the RBI under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.
Applications are made via an Authorized Dealer (bank) using the Form FNC (Application for Establishing Branch/Liaison/Project Office in India).
Once RBI approval is received, the foreign company must register the branch office with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) by filing Form FC-1 within 30 days of RBI approval.
The branch office must obtain:
PAN (Permanent Account Number)
TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number)
GST Registration (if applicable, based on business activities)
Additional state or local registrations may be required depending on the nature and location of the business.
To initiate the setup, the following documents are required:
Certificate of Incorporation / Registration of the parent company
Memorandum and Articles of Association (translated to English, if originally in another language)
Power of Attorney authorizing a resident Indian representative
Latest Audited Financial Statements and Annual Report of the parent company
Banker’s Certificate confirming the financial credibility of the parent company
Passport-size Photograph of the authorized Indian representative
PAN Card of the Parent Company
Note: All foreign documents must be notarized and apostilled (or consularized, if applicable) as per Indian legal requirements.
As experienced Chartered Accountants and business advisors, Shiromani Associates offers:
Expert Consultation on FEMA, RBI, and Companies Act compliance
End-to-End Assistance from RBI approval to local registrations
Coordination with Authorized Dealers (AD Banks) for FNC applications
Timely documentation, filing, and liaison with government bodies
Ongoing advisory for taxation, accounting, and regulatory compliance