Project Office · India Setup

Won a Contract in India?
Set Up a Project Office.

Legally operate in India for your project — without incorporating a full company.

We handle RBI approval, ROC registration, and all compliance from day one — so you can focus on delivering your project, not navigating Indian regulations.

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4–6w
Avg. Setup
2000+
Companies Served
60+
Countries Served
1
Expert, Start to Finish
Project Office India
Understanding the Structure

The Simplest Way to Operate in India

A Project Office (PO) is a temporary presence in India, approved by RBI under FEMA, to execute one specific project. No full company required. It exists only for the life of the project — and when the project ends, it closes.

What makes it different

Unlike a Branch Office or Subsidiary, a Project Office is tied to a single contract. It’s the fastest and most cost-effective legal structure for foreign companies awarded EPC, construction, engineering, IT, or infrastructure contracts by Indian entities.

You get a legal Indian presence — bank account, PAN, GST, local staff — without the complexity of full incorporation.

Project Office India
Who It’s For
→Foreign companies awarded contracts by Indian entities
→EPC, construction & engineering firms
→IT & infrastructure project contractors
→Turnkey project executors
What It Can Do
✓Execute the approved project in India
✓Hire local Indian staff
✓Open an Indian rupee bank account
✓Receive project funds from abroad
What It Cannot Do
✕Conduct business outside the project scope
✕Generate independent income
✕Act as a permanent commercial entity
✕Engage in retail trading
Duration & Flexibility
→Tied to the project timeline
→Multiple POs allowed simultaneously
→Formally closed on project completion
→Can convert to Branch Office if needed
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Not sure if a Project Office is right for you?

We’ll compare it with the Branch Office and Subsidiary — free, in 15 minutes.

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RBI Conditions

Do You Qualify?

Meet any one of these four RBI conditions — we confirm which applies on your first call, free.

01 —
Inward Remittance Funding
Project funded by remittance from your home country through normal banking channels.
02 —
Multilateral / Bilateral Financing
Funded by World Bank, ADB, IFC, or a similar international development institution.
03 —
Indian Bank Term Loan
Indian client has a term loan from a public financial institution or Indian bank for this project.
04 —
Government / Regulatory Approval
Project has all necessary clearances from the relevant Indian ministry or regulatory authority.
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Governed by FEMA
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Step-by-Step Process

How We Set It Up For You

⏱ Average 4–6 Weeks
01
Day 1 · Free
Free Eligibility Assessment
Contract reviewed, funding source confirmed, RBI route determined. No surprises later.
02
Day 2–7
Document Prep & Apostille
Full checklist prepared. Documents collected, apostilled, notarised — nothing bounced back.
03
Week 2–4
File Form FNC with AD Bank
Application submitted to AD Category-I bank. RBI follow-ups and SWIFT verification managed by us.
04
Week 4–5
ROC Registration — FC-1
Form FC-1 filed with Registrar of Companies within 30 days. Unique Identification Number obtained.
05
Week 5–6
Bank Account + PAN + TAN + GST
Indian rupee bank account opened. PAN, TAN, GST registrations completed. Fully operational.
06
Week 6+ · Ongoing
Handover & Ongoing Compliance
We stay on for the full project lifecycle — filings, audits, TDS, GST, and eventual closure.
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Next — what you need to provide

Document Required

We send you a personalised checklist after your first call. Here's what's typically required — we guide every step of the collection and legalisation process.

Certificate of Incorporation (apostilled)
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Board resolution authorising PO in India
Signed project contract with Indian client
Banker's report from home country bank
KYC of authorised representative
Proof of project funding source
Letter from Indian client confirming project
Audited financial statements (last 3 years)
Power of Attorney (if applicable)
We Handle This
Country-specific checklist sent after first call
We guide notarisation & apostille for every document
Indian Embassy attestation where required
Review before submission — nothing bounced back
Certified translation arranged for non-English docs
Note: Documents must be in English or with certified translation. Apostille required for Hague Convention countries.
Get My Document Checklist →
Ongoing Compliance

We Keep You Compliant Throughout

After setup, we manage all mandatory filings so your Project Office stays active and penalty-free for the full project lifecycle.

01
Annual Activity Certificate
Filed with AD Bank and tax authority within 6 months of financial year end — mandatory for all Project Offices.
02
Income Tax & TDS
Annual income tax returns and monthly TDS deductions filed correctly and on time — no missed deadlines.
03
GST Returns
Monthly or quarterly GST filings — GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and reconciliation handled end-to-end.
04
Statutory Audit
Annual audit of books under Indian accounting standards — mandatory for all POs. Conducted by our registered CA team.
05
Labour Compliance
PF and ESIC registration and monthly filings for all locally hired employees — fully managed from day one.
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Project Closure — We Handle the Wind-Down
Full closure management — liability settlement, tax clearances, RBI & ROC closure filings. Conversion to Branch Office or Subsidiary also possible.
Talk to Us About Closure →
Already have a Project Office in India?

We take over your compliance from where you are — no disruption to operations.

WHAT SETS US APART

Why Choose Mercurius?

We've helped 100+ foreign entities set up in India. Here's what makes us different from every other firm you'll speak to.

Professional Led From Day One
Every client is handled by a qualified professional — not a relationship manager or junior consultant. You speak to the person doing the work.
One Expert, Start to Finish
No handoffs. No confusion. One dedicated expert manages your entire setup — from eligibility to RBI approval to your first invoice in India.
100% Remote — No India Visit
Everything handled digitally. Clients from 60+ countries have set up their Project Office without stepping foot in India — not once.
Fixed, Transparent Pricing
No hourly billing. No surprise invoices. One fixed fee agreed upfront — covers everything from document collection to your Project Office going live.
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FAQ

Got Questions?

Everything you need to know about setting up a Project Office in India — answered by our CA team.

Still have a question?
Our CA answers within 24 hours — no sales pitch, just straight answers.
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What is a Project Office and how is it different from a Branch Office?+
A Project Office is set up specifically to execute one contract awarded by an Indian entity. It exists only for the duration of that project. A Branch Office, by contrast, can conduct ongoing commercial activities in India on behalf of the parent. The PO is simpler, faster, and closes when the project ends.
Do I need RBI approval for a Project Office?+
Yes. RBI approval via an Authorised Dealer Category-I Bank is mandatory before operating. The application is filed through Form FNC. We manage the entire process — preparation, submission, follow-up — until approval is received.
How long does it take to set up a Project Office?+
Typically 4–6 weeks end to end — from document collection to your PO being fully operational. RBI processing (2–4 weeks) is the primary variable. ROC registration, PAN, bank account, and GST follow within 1–2 weeks after RBI approval.
Can I have multiple Project Offices in India simultaneously?+
Yes. Multiple Project Offices are permitted for different contracts. Each PO is separate, tied to its own contract and approval. We manage multiple POs for several clients — each with its own compliance track.
What happens when the project is complete?+
The Project Office must be formally closed — tax clearances obtained, final audit completed, liabilities settled, and closure applications filed with RBI and ROC. Alternatively, it can be converted into a Branch Office or Subsidiary if you wish to continue operating in India. We manage the full wind-down.
Can a Project Office hire local Indian staff?+
Yes. A Project Office can hire Indian employees directly. We set up PF and ESIC registrations, payroll, and ensure full labour law compliance from day one.
What are the annual compliance requirements?+
A Project Office must file an Annual Activity Certificate with the AD Bank, annual income tax return, statutory audit, monthly TDS, and GST returns. RBI approval is project-duration based but extensions require fresh applications. Mercurius manages all of this — no deadline is ever missed.
Compare Your Options

Not Sure Which Structure Fits You?

Every India entry structure serves a different purpose. Here's how a Project Office compares to the alternatives.

✦ You're Here
Project Office
Best for foreign companies awarded a specific contract in India. Temporary, lean, and closes when the project ends.
Setup Time4–6 weeks
RBI ApprovalRequired
Earn IncomeProject only
DurationProject-tied
Best ForEPC, Construction, IT
Current Page ✦
Branch Office
For ongoing commercial operations in India under the parent company's name. More permanent than a PO.
Setup Time8–12 weeks
RBI ApprovalRequired
Earn IncomeYes
DurationOngoing
Best ForConsulting, IT export
Learn More →
Subsidiary (Pvt Ltd)
A fully separate Indian company. Maximum flexibility, broader sector access, and ability to raise Indian capital.
Setup Time3–5 weeks
RBI ApprovalNot needed
Earn IncomeYes — all sectors
DurationPermanent
Best ForFull India operations
Learn More →
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Still not sure which structure fits your situation?

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