Business in India
Setting up and running a business in India
Two audiences, one corridor. Indian founders formalising or restructuring a venture at home, and foreign businesses from Europe, the UK, the Gulf, the US and Asia entering the Indian market. Australia is handled separately on our Australia corridor page, where the India ↔ Australia route is covered end to end.
Who this is for
Two audiences, one corridor
For Indian founders
Getting the structure, registrations and books right at the start, so funding, exports or a foreign parent later do not force a costly restructure.
- Entity choice: private limited, LLP, OPC or partnership, decided on funding plans and liability
- Incorporation through SPICe+ with DIN, DSC, MOA and AOA
- PAN, TAN, GST registration and professional tax where applicable
- Startup India recognition, MSME/Udyam registration and applicable incentives
- Import-Export Code and export documentation for outbound trade
- Accounting, payroll and statutory compliance calendar from month one
For foreign founders (Europe, UK, Gulf, US, Asia)
Entering India as a wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, LLP, branch or liaison office — each with different FDI, tax and governance consequences. Australian groups: see the Australia corridor page.
- Automatic versus government approval route under the FDI policy for your sector
- Wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, LLP, branch, project or liaison office compared
- At least one resident director and Director Identification Numbers for all directors
- FEMA reporting: FC-GPR on share allotment and annual FLA return
- Transfer pricing documentation for all related-party transactions
- Permanent establishment and place-of-effective-management risk reviewed before launch
Entity choice
Choose the vehicle before the paperwork
The wrong structure is expensive to unwind once shares are issued and capital has landed.
Private limited company
Best for Funding, scale and foreign parents
Most credible structure for investors and for FDI; higher compliance load.
LLP
Best for Professional services and closely held ventures
Lighter compliance, but FDI is permitted only in sectors with 100% automatic route.
Wholly owned subsidiary
Best for Foreign groups committing to India
Full control, full local compliance, transfer pricing applies from day one.
Branch office
Best for Established foreign companies with defined activity
RBI/AD bank approval; profits taxed at higher non-resident rates.
Liaison office
Best for Market study before committing
Representation only — no commercial income permitted.
Joint venture
Best for Local distribution or licensing dependence
Shareholders' agreement and exit terms matter more than the incorporation itself.
Our process
How we help, step by step
Every engagement runs the same way, so you always know what happens next and what it costs.
Market and route assessment
Sector FDI position, entry vehicle options and the realistic cost of each, set out before anything is filed.
Structure and agreements
Shareholding, capital, board composition, shareholders' or JV agreement and intra-group arrangements.
Incorporation
Name reservation, DSC and DIN, SPICe+ filing, MOA/AOA and certificate of incorporation.
Registrations
PAN, TAN, GST, professional tax, EPF/ESI, IEC and any sector licences.
Banking and capital inflow
Account opening, inward remittance documentation and FC-GPR filing within the statutory window.
Run and comply
Bookkeeping, GST and TDS returns, payroll, ROC filings, audit, FLA return and transfer pricing documentation.
Year one
The compliance calendar you inherit
Every Indian entity carries this load from incorporation. We run it for you or alongside your team.
- Monthly and quarterly GST returns and TDS payments
- Annual ROC filings: AOC-4 financial statements and MGT-7 annual return
- Statutory audit and income tax return with tax audit where applicable
- Annual FLA return where there is foreign shareholding
- Transfer pricing study and Form 3CEB for related-party transactions
- Board and general meeting calendar with minutes maintained properly
Photos & video
Client work in India
Add office, signing and site-visit photos, plus any walkthrough video.
A walk through the practice
Drop in a YouTube/Vimeo link or your own MP4 and this player picks it up.
Footage coming soon
Enquiry
Tell us about the business
Sector, ownership and rough timeline are enough to come back with a route and a cost.
FAQs
India entry questions
Let's map your pathway — and the money behind it
A first consultation covers eligibility, realistic timelines, total cost and the tax consequences of the move. You leave with a written plan, not a brochure.