RBI Approval (Application & Liaison)
Application preparation and liaison for the required RBI approval.
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL ADVISORY · ENTITY FORMATION
Branch Office of Foreign Company
Your Global Business, Our Local Expertise
OUR SERVICES FOR BRANCH OFFICE
Coordinated support from planning to setup
Bring the formation steps and connected requirements into one considered plan.
Incorporation with ROC (Registration & Filing)
Coordinate registration and filing with the Registrar of Companies.
Board Resolutions & Authorisations
Draft the resolutions and authorisations for establishing the Branch Office.
Bank Account Opening Support
Coordinate documentation and practical bank account opening steps.
Statutory Registrations
Support PAN, TAN, GST, ESIC and EPFO registrations as applicable.
Ongoing Compliance & Annual Filings
Plan ongoing filings and compliance obligations for the office.
Regulatory & Transfer Pricing Advisory
Coordinate relevant regulatory and transfer pricing advisory.
KEY BENEFITS
Why choose Branch Office of Foreign Company?
A Branch Office can provide a foreign company with a permitted presence in India while remaining an extension of the overseas entity. The proposed activities, RBI approval route and registration obligations should be reviewed before operations begin.
Considered for your next chapter.
Direct presence in one of the world's fastest growing markets
Build a direct presence in the Indian market through an approved overseas-company office.
Ability to undertake permitted business activities
Conduct activities permitted for a Branch Office under the applicable approval.
Stronger brand presence and market access
Represent the foreign company's brand and develop access to the Indian market.
100% ownership and control by foreign company
The Branch Office remains an extension of the foreign company.
Repatriation of profits (subject to regulations)
Review the applicable regulatory and tax requirements for remittance.
Access to local partners, vendors and talent
Build local business relationships and operating support.
BUSINESS STRUCTURE & TAXATION ASPECTS
Operate in India under your global brand
A Branch Office can provide a foreign company with a permitted presence in India while remaining an extension of the overseas entity. The proposed activities, RBI approval route and registration obligations should be reviewed before operations begin.
- Extension of a foreign company
A Branch Office is not a separately incorporated Indian company.
- Permitted business activities
Activities must remain within the scope permitted under applicable RBI requirements.
- Indian tax obligations
Tax treatment depends on the Branch Office's activities and applicable Indian tax provisions.
- Profit repatriation
Repatriation is subject to applicable laws, approvals and tax requirements.
Clarity for what comes next.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Which Structure is Right for Your Foreign Business?
Compare the principal routes for a foreign company establishing a business presence in India.
| Features | Branch Office (of Foreign Company) | Project Office (of Foreign Company) | Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company | Joint Venture | Liaison Office (of Foreign Company) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | Extension of foreign company | Temporary presence | Separate Indian company | Separate company / partnership | Representative office |
| Ownership | 100% by foreign company | 100% by foreign company | 100% by foreign company | Shared ownership | 100% by foreign company |
| Permitted Activities | Wider business activities (as per RBI) | Project-specific activities only | Full business operations | Business as per agreement | Only liaison / representative activities (no commercial activity) |
| Revenue Generation | Yes | Limited (project related only) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Regulatory Approvals | RBI + ROC registration | RBI approval | ROC incorporation (automatic route) | ROC incorporation + FDI compliance (if applicable) | RBI approval |
| Taxation | Taxed in India | Taxed in India (project income) | Indian corporate tax rates | Indian corporate tax rates | No direct taxation |
| Suitability | Long-term market presence | Short / medium-term projects | Scalable and independent business | Strategic collaboration | Market research & liaison |
Use this overview as a starting point for advice on the proposed structure and circumstances.
INCORPORATION PROCESS
Simple, Transparent and Timely
A coordinated process for approvals, registration and commencement of permitted Branch Office activities.
Initial Consultation & Strategy
Review the India business plan, proposed activities and suitable establishment route.
RBI Approval
Prepare and submit the application; approval usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Document Preparation
Compile overseas company, board, representative and office documents.
Filing with ROC
Complete the applicable ROC registration and filings, generally in 1–2 weeks.
PAN, TAN & Bank Account Opening
Coordinate tax identifiers and bank account documentation.
Statutory Registrations
Coordinate GST, ESIC, EPFO and other applicable registrations.
Commencement of Operations
Confirm readiness to commence the activities permitted for the Branch Office.
DOCUMENTS & REQUIREMENTS
Key Documents (Illustrative List)
The exact checklist depends on the proposed entity, participants and activities. We will confirm requirements for your circumstances.
- Certificate of incorporation of foreign company
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board Resolution to open Branch Office in India
- Power of Attorney / Authorisation
- Passport and address proof of authorised representative
- Proof of registered office (overseas)
- Audited financial statements (last 3 years)
- Details of business activities in India
- Proposed office address in India (rent agreement / NOC)
- Other sector-specific documents (if applicable)
OUR PROFESSIONAL FEES
Transparent and value-driven
Choose a formation package based on the level of support you need. The scope can be confirmed against your requirements before proceeding.
Basic Package
₹39,999/-- RBI application support
- ROC registration & filings
- PAN, TAN application
- Basic compliance guidance
Comprehensive Package
₹59,999/-- All Basic Package services
- Bank account opening support
- GST, ESIC, EPFO registrations
- Initial compliance advisory (3 months)
Customised Solutions
RBI liaison and sector approvals, tax and transfer pricing advisory, ongoing compliance management, a dedicated relationship partner and other regulatory registrations.
Get a QuoteGovernment charges, applicable taxes and third-party costs are confirmed separately as part of the proposed scope.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Browse all FAQs A few useful answers
Common questions about Branch Office formation and planning.
What is a Branch Office of a foreign company?
Is RBI approval mandatory?
What activities can a Branch Office undertake in India?
Can a Branch Office generate revenue in India?
What is the taxation applicable to a Branch Office?
Can a Branch Office be converted into a subsidiary company?
TESTIMONIALS
Clear advice. Practical direction.
Perspectives shared with permission by clients of our advisory teams.
Astronis Global brought clarity and commercial focus to a complex restructuring exercise. Their advice was practical, timely and easy for our leadership team to act on.
The team understood our regulatory requirements quickly and helped us move forward with confidence. We valued their responsiveness and disciplined follow-through.
Astronis Global provided dependable support across multiple registrations and approvals. Their communication was clear, structured and consistently professional.
INSIGHTS & EVENTS
View all insights Latest Articles, Updates and Events
Foreign Investment · 12 Sep 2025
Setting Up a Branch Office in India – Key Considerations
Read insight
KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
Guides, checklists and templates
Explore resources to help organise your formation planning.
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