Branch Office · India Setup
Open Your Branch Office in India.
RBI Approval · ROC Registration · GST · FEMA Compliance — all handled by qualified professionals. 100% remote, end-to-end.
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Foreign Companies
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Countries Served
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Years Experience
Understanding the Structure
What is a Branch Office in India?
A Branch Office (BO) is a direct extension of your existing foreign company, operating in India under your parent’s company name and identity. Not a new entity — it is you, in India. Governed by Foreign Exchange Management Act with prior RBI approval required through an Authorised Dealer Bank.
✓ 100% parent company control — no Indian partner needed
✓ Operates under parent’s name and brand identity
✓ Profits freely repatriable after Indian taxes
✓ Not a separate legal entity in India
✓ RBI approval required — 4 to 8 weeks
✓ Separate legal entity incorporated in India
✓ Can have Indian shareholders
✓ More operational flexibility across sectors
✓ No prior RBI approval needed
✓ Better fit if raising Indian capital
100%
Profit Repatriation Allowed
Freely remittable to your parent company. India’s DTAA with 90+ countries protects against double taxation.
Check Your Readiness
Can your company open a branch office in India?
Here’s a quick checklist. If you tick all of these, you’re ready to apply.
✓
Your company is registered outside India — in USA, UK, UAE, Europe, Singapore, Australia, or anywhere else
✓
You’ve been profitable for 5 years in your home country (audited accounts required)
✓
Your net worth is at least USD 100,000 — calculated as paid-up capital plus free reserves
✓
Your planned India activities match what your parent company already does
✓
If Your industry allows 100% FDI in India — most sectors do. A few require government approval
Permitted Activities
What Your Branch Office Can Do
Scroll to explore all 8
01
Import / Export of Goods
Trade in goods consistent with parent’s activities. Retail trading not permitted.
02
Professional Consultancy
Expert services — legal, financial, technical, management domains.
03
Research & Development
R&D on behalf of the parent — product, market, or scientific research.
04
IT & Software Development
Develop and export software, IT support, leveraging India’s talent pool.
05
Technical Support
After-sales support for products supplied by parent to Indian customers.
06
Buying/Selling Agent
Sourcing, procurement, or sales liaison representing the parent company.
07
Business Collaborations
Promote technical or financial collaborations with Indian companies.
08
Airline/Shipping
Foreign airlines and shipping for ticketing, cargo, and logistics.
← swipe to explore all 8 →
⚡ Automatic Route
Sector Allows 100% FDI
Apply directly through RBI via Authorised Dealer Bank. No government approval needed. Most sectors qualify — IT, services, consulting. RBI approval: 4–8 weeks.
🏛 Government Route
Sector Has FDI Restrictions
Ministry of Finance consultation required. For sectors with FDI caps — defence, media, telecom. Also required for companies from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Step-by-Step Process
How We Open Your Branch Office — Start to Finish
⏱ Average 8–12 Weeks
01
Free Consultation & Eligibility
Company profile assessed. FDI route confirmed — Automatic or Government. Sector policy & country requirements flagged.
02
Document Collection & Legalisation
Country-specific checklist sent. Notarisation, Apostille, Embassy attestation guided by our team.
03
RBI Approval via AD Bank
FNC-1 filed through AD Bank. FEMA specialists manage all RBI queries until approval letter received.
04
ROC Registration with MCA
Register with Registrar of Companies. UIN obtained. Form FC-1, FC-2, DIN and DSC completed.
05
Day-One Operations & Go-Live
GST, PAN & TAN, bank account, payroll — your branch is fully operational in India from day one.
Average 8–12 weeks from document submission to fully operational branch.
Most delays come from incomplete documents — we eliminate that with a personalised checklist on Day 1.
What We Handle
End-to-End Setup Services
From your first document to your first invoice in India — every step, every form, every filing handled by our professional team.
01
RBI Approval & AD Bank Liaison
FNC-1 preparation, AD Bank coordination, full FEMA review and RBI correspondence until approval received.
02
ROC Registration & Filing
MCA registration, all mandatory disclosures under Companies Act 2013. Form FC-1, FC-2, DIN, DSC handled.
03
GST & IE Code Registration
GST registration for goods/services. Import Export Code from DGFT. TAN and PAN obtained.
04
Document Legalisation
Notarisation, Apostille, Indian Embassy attestation — every document India-ready for RBI submission.
05
Annual Compliance & Tax
Annual returns, income tax, RBI Annual Activity Certificate, all regulatory deadlines — never missed.
06
Payroll & HR Setup
Payroll processing, PF/ESIC registration, employment contracts and Shops Act compliance from day one.
← swipe to see all services →
100% Remote — No India Visit
Single Point of Contact
Fixed Transparent Pricing
Multi-Timezone Support
Your India Presence
Your company’s identity.
Stay yours.
Why Branch Office
Stay who you are.
Enter India.
Enter India without creating a new legal entity. Your global brand, your full control, your profits flowing back.
- ✓ Maintain parent company’s brand and identity in India
- ✓ 100% ownership — no Indian partner required
- ✓ Profits freely repatriable
- ✓ DTAA protection across 90+ countries
- ✓ Full operational control retained by parent company
Stay Compliant
Annual Compliance Requirements
Mercurius manages every filing — so nothing slips through and no penalty is ever triggered.
| Frequency | Compliance Requirement | Governing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | GST Return (GSTR-1 / GSTR-3B) — if registered for Goods & Services Tax | GST Authority |
| Monthly | TDS / TCS Deposit & Quarterly Returns — on salaries and vendor payments | Income Tax Department |
| Monthly | PF / ESIC Filings — provident fund and employee insurance contributions | EPFO / ESIC |
| Quarterly | Advance Tax Payments — if total tax liability exceeds Rs 10,000 in a year | Income Tax Department |
| Annual | RBI Annual Activity Certificate (AAC) — mandatory for all Branch Offices | Reserve Bank of India |
| Annual | ROC Annual Return (Form FC-3) — financial statements & activity report with MCA | Ministry of Corporate Affairs |
| Annual | Income Tax Return (ITR-6) — tax audit mandatory if turnover exceeds Rs 1 Crore | Income Tax Department |
| Annual | Shops & Establishment Renewal — state-level compliance, varies by city | State Government |
⚠️ Missed Deadlines = Significant Penalties
RBI non-compliance: up to ₹2 lakh per day. ROC failure: branch strike-off. Late GST/TDS: 18% interest p.a. + penalties. Mercurius tracks every deadline — so you never face one of these.
Deadline Tracking
Every filing deadline mapped at the start of the year. Advance reminders sent — no surprises, no penalties.
RBI & ROC Filings
Annual Activity Certificate, FC-3, FLA Return — prepared, CA-reviewed, and filed on your behalf.
Tax & GST Compliance
Monthly TDS, GST filing, and annual income tax — managed end-to-end without you lifting a finger.
Got Questions?
Still have a question?
Our professional answers within 24 business hours — no sales pitch, straight answers.
Ask a Professional Directly →
Eligibility
Who can open a Branch Office in India?
Any foreign company profitable for 5 years with net worth ≥ USD 100,000. Activities must align with parent’s business. Most sectors qualify under Automatic Route. Companies from Pakistan, Bangladesh, China require Government Route.
What if we don’t meet the net worth criteria?
You may still qualify through a Letter of Comfort (LoC) from your parent company if the parent meets eligibility norms. Our professional team will assess your situation in a free consultation.
Can a Branch Office engage in retail trading?
No. Retail trading is explicitly prohibited under FEMA. If retail is your goal, a Subsidiary (Pvt Ltd) is the appropriate structure.
Process & Timeline
How long does the setup take?
8–12 weeks end-to-end. RBI approval 4–8 weeks (biggest variable). Document preparation 1–2 weeks. ROC, GST, bank setup 2–4 weeks after RBI approval.
Do I need to visit India?
No. 100% remote. Documents collected digitally, DSCs issued online, all filings electronic. Clients from the US, UK, UAE, Germany, Australia — none visited India.
What documents are needed for RBI approval?
Certificate of Incorporation, M&A, audited financials (3–5 years), Board Resolution, KYC of authorised representatives. Foreign documents must be notarised and apostilled. We provide a country-specific checklist on Day 1.
Ongoing Compliance
What annual compliance filings are required?
Annual Activity Certificate (RBI), Income Tax Return, ROC FC-3, FEMA FLA Return, monthly/quarterly GST returns, TDS filings. RBI approval must be renewed every 3 years.
Can profits be repatriated to the parent company?
Yes — freely repatriable after Indian taxes and CA certificate confirming compliance. India’s DTAA with 90+ countries protects against double taxation.
Branch Office vs Other Structures
Branch Office vs Liaison Office vs Subsidiary?
Branch Office: earns income, repatriates profits — commercial presence. Liaison Office: represents parent only, no income allowed. Subsidiary: new Indian company, more flexibility. Choose based on your India business model.
Why choose a Branch Office over a Subsidiary?
Branch Office is ideal when you want to maintain parent identity, avoid a new Indian entity, retain full control, and enable easy profit repatriation. Common for financial services, audit, consulting, IT exporters.
Let’s Connect
Have a question about doing business in India?
Speak directly with our professional team. Tell us what you need and we’ll guide you clearly through the next steps.
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