ComplyKart Services
Liaison Office by a Foreign National
A liaison office lets a foreign company establish a presence in India without incorporating a subsidiary — representing the parent, building relationships, and studying the market. The RBI approval runs through an Authorised Dealer bank, and the file has to be right.
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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Experience behind every filing
A quick snapshot of the work so far.
Fees
Fees and packages for Liaison Office by a Foreign National
Every requirement is a little different, so we quote after a short discussion — the consultation itself is free.
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Liaison Office by a Foreign National
Talk to a ComplyKart expert — we’ll understand your requirement and share an exact written quote before you pay anything.
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Liaison Office by Foreign National Package Inclusions
- RBI approval route assessment for liaison office
- Application filing with the Authorized Dealer bank
- ROC registration of the liaison office
- PAN and bank account opening support
- Annual activity certificate and compliance reminders
Overview
What a liaison office actually is
It is a representative office of a foreign company in India — not a separate legal entity.
RBI approval is required under FEMA, applied for in Form FNC through an Authorised Dealer Category-I bank.
The parent generally needs a three-year profit track record and net worth of at least USD 50,000.
The office cannot earn income or do commercial business in India — expenses come from inward remittances by the parent.
Approvals are typically granted for three years and are extendable; RBI allots a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
Benefits
Why foreign companies set up through us
Open each benefit to see what it means for you.
Eligibility screened before applying
RBI applications get rejected on eligibility details — net worth, track record, sector route. We screen you first, before the AD bank sees the file.
AD bank and RBI paperwork handled
The application goes through an Authorised Dealer bank to RBI. We prepare the file the way banks and RBI expect to see it.
Tax and RoC compliance set up
The office, its staff, and the parent all need Indian tax registrations and annual filings. We set them up together.
Funding structure done right
LOs can't earn revenue in India — expenses come from the parent. We structure the funding and accounting correctly from day one.
Documents
Documents required to set up a Liaison Office in India
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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Foreign company details and RBI application documents
Verified against MCA requirements
India office and representative details
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
Liaison Office setup 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
Who can open a liaison office?
A liaison office is open to foreign companies that want a representative presence in India — to explore opportunities, gather market intelligence, or coordinate with Indian partners. It cannot do business here: no sales, no contracts, no revenue. If you need commercial activity, you need a different structure.
File the application through an AD Category-I bank
We prepare your application in the prescribed format and file it with the RBI through an Authorised Dealer (AD) Category-I bank under FEMA. This is the main approval step, and everything else flows from it.
RBI approval and validity
RBI approval for a liaison office is typically granted for 3 years and is renewable. We track the approval and keep the documentation ready for renewals.
Register with the ROC
Once RBI approves, we register the liaison office with the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act provisions applicable to foreign companies, and obtain the necessary registration number.
Open the bank account and receive remittances
The liaison office operates on inward remittances from the parent company — it cannot earn income in India. We help you open the designated bank account through which all expenses are met.
Ongoing compliances
A liaison office must file an annual activity statement with the RBI and stay strictly within non-commercial activities. We keep a compliance calendar so nothing is missed.
Why ComplyKart
Why ComplyKart for this
You should know who’s doing what. Open a stage to see how the work is shared.
FEMA entry specialists
Foreign-company entry into India — FEMA, RBI, RoC — is a practice area for us, not a one-off favour.
Coordinated compliance
Your office's filings and the parent's reporting stay consistent — the way RBI expects.
Single point of contact
One team from the first eligibility call through the third-year renewal.
FEMA entry specialists: Foreign-company entry into India — FEMA, RBI, RoC — is a practice area for us, not a one-off favour.
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
Typically 6–10 weeks end to end: a few weeks for the RBI approval through the AD bank, then RoC registration and bank account setup. Timelines depend on document readiness and department processing.
Generally, the parent needs a profit track record of at least three years and net worth of at least USD 50,000 as per the latest audited balance sheet. RBI can ask for more in specific cases — we assess your file honestly before applying.
No. A liaison office cannot earn income in India — no invoicing, no contracts, no commercial activity. It represents the parent, promotes business, and acts as a communication channel. Expenses are met entirely through inward remittances from the parent.
Then you want a branch office (limited commercial activity) or a subsidiary company (full operations). We will tell you plainly which structure fits, even if it means a different engagement.
RBI approval is typically granted for three years and can be extended. If the office isn't set up within six months of approval, the approval lapses — so we move quickly after approval.
Yes — income tax filings, an Annual Activity Certificate to RBI through the AD bank, and RoC filings. A 'no income' office still has compliance. We handle the annual calendar for you.
Quote-based, covering the RBI application, RoC registration, and tax setup. Request a quote with your parent company's details.
Yes, through a fresh approval process with RBI and MCA. Many companies start with an LO and convert when the business case is proven — we handle the conversion too.
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What clients say about working with us
Real stories from businesses we've worked with.
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Learning center
Guides on Liaison Office by a Foreign National
Deeper reading from our articles — the same rules, explained in plain words.
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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