Market Entry Advisory
Assess objectives, planned activity and the India operating model.
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL ADVISORY · ENTITY FORMATION
Foreign Company Setup in India
Global Expertise. Local Execution.
FOREIGN COMPANY SETUP
India entry strategy with local execution
We assist international businesses in establishing and expanding their presence in India through the most suitable structure  Branch Office, Project Office, Liaison Office, Wholly Owned Subsidiary or Joint Venture  with end-to-end regulatory, legal and tax support.
Foreign company setup begins with the intended India presence: what the business wants to do, who its customers will be and how it expects to deploy people, capital and resources. These facts help frame the comparison between possible establishment structures.
OUR SERVICES FOR FOREIGN COMPANY SETUP
Coordinated support from planning to setup
Bring the formation steps and connected requirements into one considered plan.
Structure Selection (BO / PO / LO / WOS / JV)
Compare establishment routes against business requirements.
RBI & Government Approvals
Coordinate relevant approval and filing workstreams.
Incorporation & Registration Support
Support setup under the selected establishment structure.
Tax & Regulatory Compliance
Map tax and regulatory requirements to planned activities.
Bank Account Opening Assistance
Coordinate practical banking documentation and steps.
Ongoing Compliance & Financial Assistance
Plan ongoing compliance and finance support.
Expansion & Restructuring Support
Support changes as India operations develop.
KEY BENEFITS
Why choose Foreign Company Setup in India?
Foreign company setup begins with the intended India presence: what the business wants to do, who its customers will be and how it expects to deploy people, capital and resources. These facts help frame the comparison between possible establishment structures.
Considered for your next chapter.
Access to one of the world's fastest growing economies
Plan market entry into India with local operating context.
Establish a legal and compliant presence
Select an establishment route aligned with planned activities.
Expand market reach and customer base
Build operations and access Indian customers.
Attract investment and strategic partners
Assess the structure and commercial relationships needed for entry.
Flexibility to choose the right business structure
Compare Branch, Project, Liaison, subsidiary and joint venture routes.
Repatriation of profits (as per law)
Review applicable repatriation requirements for the selected structure.
Build brand presence and local credibility
Establish a suitable presence for the India market.
Government incentives in priority sectors
Consider relevant incentives and sector requirements.
BUSINESS STRUCTURE & TAXATION ASPECTS
Global Business Setup in India
Foreign company setup begins with the intended India presence: what the business wants to do, who its customers will be and how it expects to deploy people, capital and resources. These facts help frame the comparison between possible establishment structures.
- Strategic Market Entry
Select a route that fits the intended market presence and activity.
- Regulatory Compliance
Coordinate applicable RBI, government and sector requirements.
- Operational Support
Plan establishment and day-to-day operations.
- Tax Efficient Structuring
Review tax implications for the selected route and business.
- Long-term Growth
Plan the structure around the organisation's India growth.
Clarity for what comes next.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Which Structure is Right for Your Foreign Business?
Compare common India establishment routes by purpose, permitted activity, regulatory approval and tax treatment.
| Features | Branch Office (of Foreign Company) | Project Office (of Foreign Company) | Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company | Joint Venture | Liaison Office (of Foreign Company) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | General business activities | Execution of specific project | Full business operations | Business collaboration | Market research & liaison |
| 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 | Separate Indian company | Shared ownership | 100% by foreign company |
| Permitted Activities | Wider business activities (as per RBI) | Project-specific activities only | Full business operations | As per JV agreement | Only liaison activities (no commercial activity) |
| RBI Approval | Required | Required | Required (FDI route) | Required (if FDI) | Required |
| Taxation | Taxed in India (on actual income) | Taxed in India (on project income) | Indian corporate tax rates | Indian corporate tax rates | No direct taxation |
| Duration | No fixed period | Linked to project period | Perpetual | As per agreement | Generally 3 years (renewable) |
| Repatriation of Profits | Allowed (as per law) | Allowed (after project completion) | Allowed (dividends) | As per JV agreement | Not applicable |
| Suitability | Long-term market presence | Specific project execution | Scalable and independent business | Strategic partnerships | Market research and business promotion |
Use this overview as a starting point for advice on the proposed structure and circumstances.
SETUP PROCESS
From Strategy to Operations
A clear sequence of decisions and filings, coordinated around complete information and authority processing.
Initial Consultation & Structure Selection
Assess India objectives and identify a suitable establishment route.
Documentation & Application Preparation
Prepare overseas company and application documents.
RBI / Government Approvals (if required)
Coordinate approvals and regulatory submissions.
Incorporation / Registration
Complete setup under the selected structure (1–6 weeks).
Tax Registrations (PAN, TAN, GST etc.)
Coordinate applicable tax registrations.
Bank Account Opening
Prepare banking requirements and support account opening.
Commencement of Business Operations
Coordinate readiness to commence the proposed activities.
DOCUMENTS & REQUIREMENTS
Key Documents (may vary by structure)
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 for establishing presence in India
- Power of Attorney / Authorisation
- Latest audited financial statements (last 3 years)
- Business plan and proposed activities
- Details of proposed office address in India (lease / NOC)
- KYC documents of authorised representative
- Sector-specific approvals (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
₹49,999/-- Initial consultation
- Structure advisory
- Document preparation
- RBI application filing support
- Basic compliance guidance
Comprehensive Package
₹99,999/-- All Basic Package services
- RBI & incorporation support
- Tax registrations (PAN, TAN, GST)
- Bank account opening assistance
- Initial compliance advisory (3 months)
Customised Solutions (As per Business Requirement)
Sector-specific licensing, ongoing compliance & reporting, transfer pricing advisory, restructuring & expansion support and dedicated relationship manager.
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 Foreign Company Setup formation and planning.
What are the options for a foreign company to set up in India?
Is RBI approval mandatory?
Which structure is best for market research activities?
Can a Liaison Office generate revenue in India?
What is the taxation for a Branch Office or Project Office?
How long does it take to set up a foreign company in India?
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 · 05 Sep 2025
Foreign Investment in India: Key Legal & Regulatory Updates
Read insight
RBI & Regulatory · 05 Sep 2025
RBI Guidelines for Establishing Branch / Project / Liaison Office
Read insight
KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
Guides, checklists and templates
Explore resources to help organise your formation planning.
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