Branch Office Setup in India — Approved. Registered. Operating.
Establishing branch offices of foreign companies in India, from the approval application through registration to the annual reporting the branch must maintain.
Book Free ConsultationA branch office is an extension of the foreign company rather than a separate entity. It can carry on the activities permitted to it, invoice from India and remit profits, but it does not have the independent legal identity of a subsidiary.
N D Savla & Associates assists foreign companies with branch establishment in India, covering the approval application through the authorised dealer bank, registration with the Registrar and the ongoing reporting obligations.
The permitted activity list is the first thing to check. A branch can do only what is approved for it, and taking on work outside that scope creates both a regulatory problem and, frequently, an unintended taxable presence.
Our Foreign Branch Setup Services
Eligibility & Activity Review
Review of the parent's profile and intended activities against what a branch may undertake.
Approval Application
Preparation and submission of the application through the authorised dealer bank.
Registrar Registration
Registration of the foreign company's place of business in India.
Documentation Legalisation
Guidance on notarisation, apostille and legalisation of parent documents.
Banking & Remittance Setup
Assistance with account opening and the remittance framework for the branch.
Tax Registrations
PAN, TAN, GST and other registrations required for the branch to operate.
Annual Activity Reporting
Preparation and filing of the annual reporting applicable to a branch.
Closure & Repatriation
Assistance with winding up the branch and repatriation of surplus.
Our Process
Feasibility
The parent's eligibility and the intended activities are assessed against the branch route.
Documentation
Parent documents are legalised and the application file is compiled.
Approval
The application is submitted and pursued through the authorised dealer bank.
Registration & Setup
The place of business is registered and tax registrations and banking established.
Ongoing Reporting
Accounts, audit and annual activity reporting are set up and calendared.
Why It Matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering a branch in India?
Tell us what the branch would do — we'll confirm whether the activity is permitted and prepare the application.
