ComplyKart Services
FC-4 Filing
Foreign companies with a branch, liaison, or project office in India must file an annual FC-4 return with the ROC. It is a different form, with different attachments, from what Indian companies file. We prepare it from your India financials and get it filed within the statutory window.
CA/CS-guided review
Your documents and structure are checked before anything is filed.
Written scope first
Inclusions and payable charges are explained before work begins.
Support till it’s done
One team owns your filing, from the first call to the final handover.
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Your details stay private — we only call about this enquiry.
Experience behind every filing
A quick snapshot of the work so far.
Fees
Fees and packages for FC-4 Filing
Every requirement is a little different, so we quote after a short discussion — the consultation itself is free.
Custom quote
FC-4 Filing
Talk to a ComplyKart expert — we’ll understand your requirement and share an exact written quote before you pay anything.
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FC-4 Filing Package Inclusions
- Preparation and e-filing of Form FC-4 (LLP annual return for FLLPs)
- Disclosure of foreign partners and designated partner details
- Coordination for FEMA-linked reporting consistency
- Filing within 60 days of financial year-end with reminders
- SRN acknowledgement shared on email and WhatsApp
Overview
What FC-4 is
FC-4 is the annual return filed by every foreign company that has established a place of business in India - branch offices, liaison offices, and project offices included.
It is filed under Section 384 of the Companies Act with the Registrar of Companies.
The due date is within six months of the close of the financial year - typically 30 September for a March year-end.
The return carries details of the India operations, related party transactions, and places of business - not the global accounts of the parent.
Benefits
Why foreign companies file FC-4 through us
Open each benefit to see what it means for you.
India-operations focus
FC-4 is about your Indian establishment's numbers and activities, carved out from global consolidation. We know exactly what the ROC expects in each annexure.
Related party disclosures done right
Transactions with the parent and group companies need proper disclosure. We map your inter-company flows into the required format.
Coordinated with your India team
We work with your India office accountants and your global finance team across time zones, so nobody is chasing data at the last minute.
Late filings regularised
Missed an FC-4 for an earlier year? We file the backlog with additional fees and bring the India entity back into compliance.
Documents
Documents required for FC-4 filing
Clear, current documents matter more than a long checklist. Names, dates of birth and addresses should match across every record — that's what the MCA checks first. Tick what you already have below.
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Tick what you already have. This checklist resets when you leave the page.
Foreign company particulars
Verified against MCA requirements
Accounts and filing support
Verified against MCA requirements
What is a CIN?
Every Private Limited Company gets a unique 21-character Corporate Identification Number from the MCA. It's proof your company legally exists. You'll need it for bank accounts, tax filings, and contracts. We handle the entire application — you just provide the documents above.
Not sure if your documents are ready?
Send us what you have. A ComplyKart expert will review them for free and tell you exactly what's missing — no obligation.
Get Free Document ReviewQuestions Founders ask us about documents
What if my address proof is old?
Utility bills and bank statements must be less than 2 months old. If yours are older, get a fresh copy — the MCA rejects stale proofs.
Do I need original documents?
No. Clear scans or photos work for the entire process. We never ask you to courier originals.
What if directors live in different cities?
That's normal. Each director uploads their own documents separately. Our system keeps everything organised.
I'm outside India. Can I still register a company?
Yes. India allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, and the entire process happens online. You need one Indian resident director, and your passport + address proof must be apostilled — we'll guide you through both. NRI founders and foreign investors do this with us regularly.
Check if you're eligible →How long does registration actually take?
7 to 10 working days from the day your documents are verified. Name approval takes 2-3 days, MCA incorporation another 5-7. We track every stage and update you.
Can I start if I'm missing one document?
Yes. Start now with what you have — we begin name reservation and DSC while you arrange the rest. Most founders are missing one proof; it rarely blocks the timeline.
Process
FC-4 filing process — step by step
You’ll see each stage, what’s pending and what we need from you — so filings don’t bounce back.
Step 1 of 6
Confirm the foreign company is covered
Every foreign company with a place of business in India — branch office, liaison office, or project office — must file an annual return under Section 384.
Finalise the Indian accounts
The Indian establishment's accounts are drawn up for the financial year and audited as required.
Prepare Form FC-4
We prepare the FC-4 e-form with the foreign company's global particulars and its Indian establishment's details.
Authorised representative signs
The authorised representative in India signs the form with a DSC.
File within 60 days of year end
FC-4 is due within 60 days of the close of the financial year. Late filing attracts additional fees.
Retain the acknowledgement
The approved filing keeps the Indian establishment in good standing with the ROC.
Why ComplyKart
Why ComplyKart for this
You should know who’s doing what. Open a stage to see how the work is shared.
Cross-border compliance is our daily work
FC-4, FC-GPR, FLA returns, FEMA filings - foreign companies' India compliance is a core practice area for us, not an occ...
We bridge the time zones
Your parent company's finance team and your India office get one point of contact who keeps both sides moving.
Plain-English summaries for HQ
We send HQ a short summary of what was filed and what it means - no Indian regulatory jargon for your global team to dec...
Cross-border compliance is our daily work: FC-4, FC-GPR, FLA returns, FEMA filings - foreign companies' India compliance is a core practice area for us, not an occasional assignment.
For NRI founders & foreign investors
If a founder or investor is outside India
You don't need to fly down. Most of our foreign-founder incorporations are completed without the founder ever visiting India — 100% foreign ownership is allowed in most sectors, and the entire process happens online.
Before you start
- 100% foreign ownership is allowed in most sectors — no Indian partner needed
- One Indian resident director is required by law — we help you find a compliant way forward
- Check whether your sector permits automatic-route foreign investment
- Your passport + address proof need an apostille, not an embassy visit
- Map ownership, beneficial ownership and pricing early
After incorporation
- Receive funds through permitted banking channels
- Complete RBI/FEMA reporting (FC-GPR, FLA) and keep the bank evidence
- Coordinate tax and ongoing compliance advice early
Free 15-minute eligibility call. No obligation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Search all 8 answers, or filter by the stage you’re thinking about.
Showing 8 of 8 answers
Yes. Liaison, branch, and project offices all file FC-4 if they constitute a place of business in India. The form has specific sections for each type.
Within six months of the close of the financial year. For companies following the April-March year, that means 30 September.
Additional fees apply per day of delay, and the default sits on the India entity's ROC record. We can file belated returns to regularise it.
No. AOC-4 is the financial statement filing for Indian companies. FC-4 is the annual return specifically for foreign companies with an Indian presence.
No. FC-4 covers the Indian establishment - its financials, its transactions, its places of business. Global consolidation is not filed with the ROC.
The authorised representative of the foreign company in India, with digital signature, along with required certification.
Until the closure is formally recorded with the ROC and RBI, filings continue. Talk to us about a proper wind-down so you stop accumulating defaults.
Yes - most of our foreign-company clients bundle FC-4 with FLA returns, FC-GPR, and APR filings. One calendar, one team.
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What clients say about working with us
Real stories from businesses we've worked with.
Our Trademark was applied in all the classes with a short span of time by Complykart Trademark Experts and I can say the level of expertise and commitment they carry is remarkable. It's an A+ from my side. We are now sticking to ComplyKart only.
I found the professionalism of the staff at complykart.com, a pleasure to work with. As a foreigner to India, they took the time to explain the documentation and assisted in every question I raised. I was pleased that complykart.com made it easy for my Business.
Trust, Commitment, Dedication and responsiveness are the best things with ComplyKart. Thanks for handling our Merger assignment with so much care. After my business disputes, complykart handles all things with own sense of understanding.
Trust & transparency
Sources & how we keep this page accurate
Primary sources we refer to:
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
- GST Portal
- Income Tax Department
- IP India (Trademark / Patent / Copyright)
Last verified: 6 October 2026
Compliance rules change. If something on this page looks outdated, tell us on WhatsApp and we'll fix it — and your filing will always follow the current rules, not just what's written here.
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Talk to a ComplyKart professional about FC-4 Filing. The first consultation is free.
