Your Gateway to India
A Visual Guide to Company Incorporation for Foreign Investors
Phase 1: The Foundation
Begin with the essential digital identity and director credentials
Pre-Incorporation Checklist
The first step involves securing a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for all proposed directors and applying for a Director Identification Number (DIN). These are mandatory for all electronic filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Obtained from a Certifying Authority in India. Requires notarized and apostilled copies of passport and address proof for foreign nationals.
Director Identification Number (DIN)
Applied through Form DIR-3 on the MCA portal. Foreign nationals need to provide passport, address proof (should not be more than 2 months old), and a digital photograph.
Business Structure Selection
Choose the most suitable business structure based on your investment goals, liability concerns, and operational requirements.
Private Limited Company ℹ️ Most popular among foreign investors due to limited liability protection and ease of raising capital.
Minimum 2 directors and 2 shareholders required. At least one director must be resident in India.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) ℹ️ Combines the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability protection of a company.
Minimum 2 partners required. At least one designated partner must be resident in India.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary ℹ️ 100% foreign ownership allowed in most sectors under the automatic route.
Registered as a private limited company with 100% foreign shareholding.
Foreign Investment Regulations
Automatic Route
No prior government approval required for investment in most sectors. Simply notify the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) within 30 days of receiving foreign investment.
Government Route
Prior approval from the Government is required for sectors like defense, telecom, broadcasting, and banking. In addition, if the shareholders are from any country which share a land border with India, specific approval will be needed.
Phase 2: Registration Process
Navigate the formal incorporation procedures with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Name Reservation
Apply for name approval using RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service
File SPICe+ Form
Submit incorporation documents and pay fees
Certificate of Incorporation
Receive digital certificate with CIN, PAN, and TAN
Bank Account
Open corporate bank account for business operations
Name Reservation & Documentation
What: Choose a unique company name (e.g., ABC Pvt. Ltd.).
How: File SPICe+ Part A on MCA portal; suggest 5 names in the order of choice.
Guidelines: Name should not resemble existing companies or trademarks.
Timeline: 2-3 days for approval and valid for 20 days post approval.
Draft MoA & AoA
What: MoA defines objectives; AoA outlines internal rules.
Requirements: Align with Companies Act, 2013.
Timeline: 2-3 days.
Required Documents
For Foreign Directors/Shareholders
- ✓ Notarized and apostilled copy of passport
- ✓ Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) - should not be more than 2 months old
- ✓ Digital photograph
- ✓ KYC documents as per RBI guidelines
For Company Registration
- ✓ Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- ✓ Articles of Association (AOA)
- ✓ Proof of registered office address
- ✓ Declaration of compliance with Companies Act
Minimum Capital
₹1,00,000
Recommended minimum capital for foreign investors, though no statutory minimum exists
Processing Time
15-30 Days
Total time from DSC application to bank account opening
Phase 3: Post-Registration Compliance
Essential steps after incorporation to ensure regulatory compliance
Immediate Compliance Requirements
First Board Meeting
Must be held within 30 days of incorporation to appoint officers, adopt common seal, etc.
GST Registration
Mandatory for businesses with turnover exceeding ₹20 lakhs (₹10 lakhs for special category states).
Professional Tax Registration
Required in states where Professional Tax is applicable.
ESIC & PF Registration
Mandatory if employing 10 or more employees (for ESIC) and 20 or more employees (for PF).
Ongoing Compliance Calendar
Monthly
- GST Returns (GSTR-3B and GSTR-1)
- TDS/TCS Deposit
- PF/ESI Contributions
Quarterly
- TDS Returns
- Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) Return
Annual
- Annual Financial Statements
- Income Tax Return
- Annual Return (Form MGT-7)
- Board Meeting (minimum 4 per year)
- Annual General Meeting
Foreign Exchange Regulations
Repatriation of Profits
Foreign investors can freely repatriate profits, dividends, and royalties after payment of applicable taxes in India. Proper documentation and filing of Annual Performance Reports with the RBI is required.
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)
All cross-border transactions must comply with FEMA regulations. Regular reporting of foreign investments and transactions to the RBI is mandatory.
Contact Us
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Reach Out to Our Incorporation Specialists
Our team of experienced professionals is ready to guide you through every step of the incorporation process in India. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
incorporate@ksandk.com
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Phone
+91 11 - 41032969, 41318190, 41318191
Available Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM IST
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