Register a UK Company
in India — 100% Online, Expert-Led.
A fully compliant Indian Private Limited, WOS, or LLP — registered remotely in 12–15 working days. No India travel. Filing and support included. Zero RBI rejections.
Register a UK company in India
UK founders and companies can register a fully compliant Indian Private Limited, Wholly Owned Subsidiary, or LLP entirely remotely in 12 to 15 working days, with no India travel required, filing and support included, and zero RBI rejections across 40 plus UK companies registered.
Why UK Companies Register
a Business in India
A UK company can register a business in India with 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, under the automatic FDI route — no government approval needed. Here’s what makes India a strategic choice for UK founders.
- Can a UK company access 1.4B consumers? Yes. India’s growing middle class speaks English and is already spending at scale, giving a UK company a familiar, English-speaking commercial environment from day one.
- How much can a UK company save on hiring in India? Up to 60% lower cost than equivalent UK salaries for engineers, accountants, designers, and operations staff, without compromise on quality.
- Can a UK company own 100% of an Indian subsidiary? Yes. Under India’s automatic FDI route, a UK company can hold 100% ownership of its Indian subsidiary in most sectors, with no prior government approval required.
- Will a UK company be taxed twice on Indian income? No. The India-UK Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement ensures income is never taxed twice.
- What corporate tax rate applies to a UK company in India? As low as 15% for new manufacturing companies, well below UK rates.
- Does India support foreign-backed startups? Yes. India is the world’s 3rd largest startup ecosystem, with Startup India and Make in India offering tax holidays and fast-track licensing for foreign-backed ventures.
Which Entity Should a UK
Company Register in India?
Most UK clients pick one of three structures. Select below — we explain exactly what it means for UK-incorporated businesses entering India.
| Factor | Private Limited | Wholly Owned Subsidiary | LLP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 12–15 working days | 12–15 working days | 12–15 working days |
| Foreign Ownership | Up to 100% | 100% by UK parent | Up to 100% |
| Minimum Capital | No minimum | No minimum | No minimum |
| Can Raise Funding / Equity | Yes | Yes, from UK parent | No |
| Annual Audit | Mandatory | Mandatory | Only above ₹40L turnover |
| RBI / FEMA Filing | Standard FDI reporting | FC-GPR within 30 days | Standard FDI reporting |
| Best For | UK SaaS, tech, startups | UK Ltd, PLC, parent-owned entities | UK consulting, agencies, services |
| India Visit Required | No | No | No |
Private Limited Company
The number one choice for UK founders, SaaS companies, and SMEs registering a company in India. Fully foreign-owned, fundable, and straightforward to operate. Features 100% foreign ownership under the automatic FDI route with no government approval needed in most sectors, limited liability protecting UK assets, ability to raise funding or issue ESOPs later, and a minimum of 2 directors with at least 1 India-resident director, which can be provided as a nominee if needed. Setup time is 12 to 15 working days, no minimum capital, mandatory annual audit, and no UK visit to India required.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary
A Private Limited Company where the UK company holds 100% of the shares, ideal for UK Ltd, PLC, and LLP structures. Profits are repatriated as dividends under the India-UK DTAA with no double taxation. Requires FC-GPR filing with the RBI within 30 days. Setup time is 12 to 15 working days, fully remote with no UK visit to India required.
Limited Liability Partnership in India
A lower-compliance structure for UK consulting firms, IT services, and agencies. No mandatory audit below 40 lakh rupees turnover, only 2 ROC filings per year, but cannot raise equity or issue ESOPs. Setup time is 12 to 15 working days, fully remote.
How to Register a UK
Company in India
8 steps. 12–15 working days. No India visit. Swipe through the full process — we handle every step, including FCDO apostille guidance.
- Step 1, Day 1: Pick your structure. We review your goals, sector and FDI eligibility, then recommend Private Limited, Wholly Owned Subsidiary, or LLP for your UK entity.
- Step 2, Day 2 to 3: Reserve your company name. We file Part A of SPICe+ on the MCA portal with two name options, approval in 1 to 2 working days.
- Step 3, Week 1 to 3: Apostille your UK documents via the FCDO Legalisation Office in London or by post. This starts on Day 1 and typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- Step 4, Week 1: Get Digital Signature Certificates and Director Identification Numbers for directors via email and video KYC. No India visit needed.
- Step 5, Week 2: Draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the legal charter of your Indian company, drafted by our company secretary team.
- Step 6, Week 2 to 3: File SPICe+ and get your certificate, covering incorporation, PAN, TAN, and GST, with the certificate issued in 5 to 10 working days.
- Step 7, Week 3: Open your Indian bank account 100% remotely. Internet banking credentials are sent to your UK email, and you transfer share capital from your UK bank.
- Step 8, within 30 days: File FC-GPR with the RBI. This mandatory FEMA filing within 30 days of capital receipt is never missed.
- Result, Day 12 to 15: Your Indian company is live, with certificate, PAN, TAN, GST, and bank account ready, so you can invoice, hire, and operate from the UK.
Documents to Register a UK
Company in India
We send a personalised checklist after the first call. All UK documents must be apostilled via the FCDO Legalisation Office — the UK is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy attestation is needed.
Documents required to register a UK company in India
For the UK company: a Certificate of Incorporation apostilled via the FCDO Legalisation Office; a Board Resolution authorising the Indian subsidiary, apostilled; and Company Address Proof such as a utility bill or bank statement, apostilled.
For each UK director or shareholder: a notarised and apostilled passport copy; Address Proof such as a UK driving licence or bank statement, apostilled; and a passport photo plus email and phone for standard KYC, which does not need notarisation.
Apostille tip: start the FCDO apostille process on day 1, since it typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Submit in person at the FCDO in London or by post. The UK is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy attestation is needed, only an apostille.
Register a UK Company
in India: FAQs
The most common questions we get from UK companies before registering in India — answered plainly.
📅 Ask Us Anything →Why 40+ UK Companies
Choose Us
We're not a filing portal. We're a firm that's helped 200+ companies enter India — including 40+ from the UK — with zero RBI rejections, zero missed FEMA filings, and a single point of contact from start to finish.
40 plus UK companies choose Mercurius to register their company in India, with 200 plus companies helped overall, zero RBI rejections, zero missed FEMA filings, UK time-zone support, fixed transparent pricing, 100% remote process with no India visit required, one point of contact start to finish, and end-to-end service covering incorporation, banking, FEMA, tax, audit, and compliance under one roof.
Expanding into India?
Let's talk.
Tell us what you need. Our Chartered Accountant will get back within 24 hours with answers, eligibility, and a fixed quote — no obligation, no pressure.
Accountant
Fill in the details — we'll reply within 24 hours with next steps.