Liaison Office Setup in India — Present without trading.
Establishing representative and liaison offices in India for foreign companies exploring the market, with the approval, registration and annual certification handled end to end.
Book Free ConsultationA liaison office lets a foreign company have people on the ground in India without carrying on business here. It can represent the parent, promote its products, gather market information and act as a communication channel — but it cannot earn income in India.
N D Savla & Associates assists with liaison office establishment, covering the approval application, registration, the local expense funding framework and the annual certification the office is required to file.
The single largest risk is drift. A liaison office that begins negotiating contracts or invoicing customers is no longer a liaison office, and the consequences run from regulatory breach to an assessed permanent establishment with tax attached.
Our Setup a Liaison Office Services
Eligibility Assessment
Assessment of the parent's track record and net worth against the applicable conditions.
Approval Application
Preparation and submission of the application through the authorised dealer bank.
Registrar Registration
Registration of the place of business in India with the Registrar.
Permitted Activity Advisory
Written guidance on what the office may and may not do in practice.
Expense Funding Framework
Setting up the inward remittance framework for meeting local expenses.
Tax Registrations
PAN, TAN and other registrations applicable to the liaison office.
Annual Activity Certificate
Preparation and filing of the annual activity certificate and accounts.
Renewal & Conversion
Renewal of the approval and advice on converting to a branch or subsidiary.
Our Process
Suitability Review
The parent's objectives are tested against what a liaison office may lawfully do.
Documentation
Parent financials and constitutional documents are legalised and compiled.
Approval
The application is filed through the authorised dealer bank and followed up.
Registration & Setup
Registration, banking and tax registrations are completed.
Annual Cycle
Accounts, audit and the annual activity certificate are prepared each year.
Why It Matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Exploring the Indian market?
We'll confirm eligibility, define what the office can do and take the approval through to registration.
