Two constraints decide the plan
India Private Limited Company Setup
Two things shape an Indian setup for a foreign founder: a resident director, and the foreign investment route.
GCC business setup specialists
The resident director and the RBI filing
Every Indian company needs at least one director who is resident in India, which for an overseas founder means appointing someone or relocating. And foreign share subscription triggers reporting to the central bank within a short deadline after allotment. Missing that filing is common, and regularising it afterwards is considerably harder than doing it on time.
- Resident director requirement addressed before you plan
- Foreign investment route confirmed against the sectoral position
- Central bank reporting deadlines met, not discovered later
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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Choose the vehicle
Entity options for a foreign founder
The private limited company is the usual answer.
| Option | What it suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company | Most operating businesses | Resident director required; FDI routes apply |
| Limited liability partnership | Professional and services ventures | Foreign investment rules differ |
| Wholly owned subsidiary | Overseas parent establishing in India | A private limited company held by the parent |
| Branch office | Defined activities, with approval | Central bank route and restrictions |
| Liaison office | Representation without trading | No income-earning activity |
| Project office | A specific contract | Tied to the project |
Entity rules, foreign investment routes, sectoral caps and reporting deadlines are set by the authorities and change. Yours are checked against the current position before any filing.
How it works
Setting up in India
Directors and the FDI route come first.
01
Settle the gating items
Who the resident director will be, and whether your sector is open under the automatic route or needs government approval.
02
Incorporate
Digital signatures and director identification obtained, name reserved and the integrated incorporation application filed with the Registrar.
03
Register and report
Tax registrations completed, the bank account opened, share subscription funds received and the central bank reporting filed within the deadline.
Before you start
What we need from you
Apostilled documents and the resident director are the two to start on.
- Three proposed company names
- Precise business activity
- Shareholders and shareholding pattern
- Whether any shareholder is non-resident
- Who the resident director will be
- Apostilled or consularised documents for foreign directors and shareholders
- Passport and address proof for all directors
- Registered office address proof in India
- Sector, to confirm the investment route
- Proposed share capital and subscription amounts
- Whether a parent company is subscribing
- Target incorporation date
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Resident director and FDI route assessment
- Digital signature and director identification applications
- Name reservation
- Incorporation filing with the Registrar
- Tax registrations including GST where applicable
- Share subscription and allotment documentation
- Central bank reporting on foreign investment
- Annual compliance calendar and auditor appointment
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and filing fees, paid at cost
- Apostille, consularisation and translation charges
- Audit fees
- Share capital and subscription funds
- Government approval decisions where the approval route applies
- Valuation reports for share pricing
- Payroll and labour registrations unless included
- Tax advice outside India
Verify independently
Official Indian authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Ministry of Corporate AffairsRegistrar of CompaniesReserve Bank of IndiaIncome Tax DepartmentGoods and Services Tax authoritiesEmployees’ Provident Fund Organisation
Questions
India company setup — FAQs
Do I need an Indian resident director?
Yes. At least one director must be resident in India, which for an overseas founder means appointing someone suitable or relocating. It is the first thing to settle.
Can a foreign company own 100% of an Indian company?
In many sectors yes, under the automatic route. Others have caps or require government approval. The sector determines it, and we confirm before you plan.
What is the central bank reporting obligation?
Foreign share subscription must be reported to the Reserve Bank of India through the prescribed filing within a short period after allotment. It is frequently missed and awkward to regularise.
Is share pricing regulated?
Issuing shares to a non-resident is subject to pricing requirements, which generally means a valuation. Pricing informally is a compliance problem.
What annual compliance applies?
Audited accounts and annual filings with the Registrar, income tax returns, GST returns where registered, and director compliance filings. Audit applies regardless of size.
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