Indian Subsidiary Registration for Foreign Companies
Set up a wholly owned or majority-owned Indian subsidiary to operate directly in India. Leegal manages incorporation, FDI compliance and RBI reporting end-to-end.
What Is an Indian Subsidiary?
An Indian subsidiary is a company incorporated in India where a foreign parent company holds a majority (or, for a wholly owned subsidiary, all) of its share capital. It's most commonly set up as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 2013.
Once incorporated, the subsidiary is treated as an Indian company for tax and regulatory purposes, letting the foreign parent hire locally, contract directly and operate in India, subject to India's foreign investment (FDI) rules.
| Indian Subsidiary | Liaison / Branch Office |
|---|---|
| Can carry out full commercial operations in India | Liaison offices generally can't undertake commercial activity |
| Separate legal entity from the foreign parent | Branch/liaison offices are extensions of the parent |
| Governed by the Companies Act, 2013 | Requires separate RBI approval and renewal |
| Suited to a long-term, scalable India presence | Often used for market entry/representation only |
Documents Required
Keep these ready before your consultation to speed up drafting and filing.
- Certificate of incorporation of the foreign parent company
- Board resolution authorising the Indian subsidiary and signatories
- PAN and address proof of resident and foreign directors
- Passport copies of foreign directors (notarised/apostilled as required)
- Proof of the registered office address in India
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for all directors
How It Works
Structure & FDI Consultation
We review the applicable FDI route for your sector and the right entity structure.
DSC, DIN & Name Reservation
We arrange digital signatures, director IDs and reserve your company name.
Incorporation Filing
We prepare and file the incorporation application with the Registrar of Companies.
Bank Account & RBI Reporting
We assist with opening a bank account and filing FC-GPR with the RBI after share allotment.
Incorporation
End-to-end DSC, DIN, name approval and incorporation filing for your subsidiary.
FDI & FEMA Compliance
Guidance on the applicable FDI route and RBI reporting like FC-GPR and annual FLA returns.
Ongoing Compliance
ROC filings, statutory audit and income tax filing handled on schedule.
Why Register Your Indian Subsidiary With Leegal
- Experienced professionals handle incorporation and FDI/FEMA filings together.
- Clear, upfront pricing with no hidden charges.
- One dedicated point of contact across time zones.
- Ongoing support for RBI reporting and annual compliance.
Talk to Our Team
GS006, Vikash Nagar, Ramgarh Cantt, Jharkhand 829122, India
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign company own 100% of an Indian subsidiary?
In many sectors, 100% foreign ownership is allowed under the automatic route, while some sectors require prior government approval or carry sectoral caps. Our team can confirm the applicable route for your business activity.
Is a resident director required?
Yes. Every Indian company, including a subsidiary of a foreign company, must have at least one director who has stayed in India for the minimum period required under the Companies Act.
What is FC-GPR and when is it filed?
FC-GPR is the RBI filing made after a foreign investor is allotted shares in the Indian company, reporting the foreign investment received. It's a key compliance step after incorporation once funds are brought in.
How long does it take to set up an Indian subsidiary?
Timelines depend on document readiness (including notarisation/apostille of foreign documents), the FDI route applicable, and government processing speed. Our team keeps you updated at each stage.
What ongoing compliance applies after incorporation?
Beyond regular ROC filings and statutory audit, an Indian subsidiary with foreign investment typically needs to file an annual FLA return with the RBI and follow transfer pricing rules for transactions with the foreign parent.
Ready to Set Up Your Indian Subsidiary?
Talk to our team and get a clear plan for incorporation and FDI compliance — no obligation.