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.

Get Free Consultation →
2K+
Clients Served
60+
Countries Served
18+
Years Experience
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
← swipe to see all 4 →
Not sure if a Project Office is right for you?

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

Contact Us →
RBI Conditions

Is Your Project Eligible?

Secured a project contract in India? A foreign company may be eligible to establish a Project Office under RBI’s general permission if the project meets any one of the following conditions.

01 —
Inward Remittance Funding
The project is funded directly through inward remittance from abroad.
02 —
Bilateral / Multilateral Financing
The project is funded by a bilateral or multilateral international financing agency.
03 —
Indian Bank / PFI Term Loan
The Indian company or entity awarding the contract has obtained a term loan from an Indian bank or Public Financial Institution for the project
← swipe to see all 3 →
Governed by FEMA
Check My Eligibility →
Step-by-Step Process

How We Set It Up For You

⏱ Average 4–6 Weeks
01
Understand Your Project
We review your project, business activity, and setup requirements to determine the right approach for establishing your Project Office in India.
02
Prepare the Documentation
Our team helps you prepare and review the required company and project documents to avoid delays or incomplete submissions.
03
Coordinate the Setup Process
We coordinate with the relevant authorities, banks, and professionals and manage the setup process on your behalf.
04
Complete Registrations
We assist with the required registrations and compliances so your Project Office is properly established and ready to operate.
05
Ongoing Compliance Support
Once your Project Office is operational, we continue to support you with accounting, tax, audit, regulatory compliance, and other ongoing requirements.
Your project is your priority. Setting up in India is ours. Trust Mercurius to handle the process from start to finish.
Start Now →
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.
← swipe to see all 5 →
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.
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.
← swipe to see more →
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.
Speak to professional Directly →
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 →
← swipe to compare →
Still not sure which structure fits your situation?

We'll compare all options for your specific business in 15 minutes — free, no obligation.

Talk to our professional →
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.

Call Us Speak directly
WhatsApp Quick conversation
Email Us Share your query
24 Hr Response We'll get back to you
Professional Support
No Sales Call Centre
100% Remote
Get In Touch
Talk to our professional

Fill in the details — we'll reply within 24 hours with next steps.

Prefer to talk directly? Reach us via:
📞 Call 💬 WhatsApp ✉️ Email