Branch Office Registration in India: RBI Approval, Process & Fees
A branch office lets a foreign company carry on business in India - exporting, importing, consulting, or providing professional services - under RBI-approved permissions. This guide explains eligibility, the Form FNC route through an AD Category-I bank, permitted activities, documents, timelines, and how KanoonPe manages the entire approval and registration end-to-end.
Quick summary
- What it is: A place of business in India through which a foreign parent company conducts approved commercial activities.
- Governed by: FEMA, 1999 and RBI Master Directions; approval via an AD Category-I bank (and RBI where required).
- Best for: Established foreign companies wanting a commercial presence without setting up a subsidiary.
- Key condition: The parent should have a profit-making track record and net worth of at least USD 100,000.
- KanoonPe price: Flat, all-inclusive quote on a free callback · Timeline: typically 6–8 weeks.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Governing law | FEMA, 1999 + RBI Master Direction on Establishment of BO/LO/PO |
| Approval route | AD Category-I bank (RBI/Government approval where applicable) |
| Application form | Form FNC |
| Eligibility | Net worth ≥ USD 100,000; profit track record (last 5 years) |
| Registration with MCA | Form FC-1 with RoC within 30 days of setup |
| Timeline | 6–8 weeks |
| KanoonPe price | Flat, all-inclusive quote - request a free callback |
What is a branch office in India?
A branch office is a business location established in India by a foreign company to carry out the same or substantially the same activities as its parent, under permissions granted through the RBI/AD bank route. Unlike a liaison office, a branch office can earn income in India from its permitted activities and remit profits abroad (net of taxes).
A branch office is not a separate legal entity - it is an extension of the foreign parent, which remains liable for its acts. It suits established multinationals that want a genuine commercial footprint in India for trading, technical support, or professional services without incorporating an Indian subsidiary.
Permitted activities for a branch office
Under FEMA, a branch office may undertake activities such as:
- Export and import of goods.
- Rendering professional or consultancy services.
- Carrying out research work in which the parent is engaged.
- Promoting technical or financial collaborations between Indian and foreign companies.
- Representing the parent and acting as buying/selling agent in India.
- Rendering technical support for products supplied by the parent.
- IT and software development services.
Not permitted: retail trading of any form, and manufacturing/processing activities directly (these must be done through a subsidiary or in a Special Economic Zone under specific conditions).
Who can open a branch office?
A foreign company is eligible if it:
- Is engaged in manufacturing or trading activities.
- Has a profit-making track record during the immediately preceding five financial years in the home country.
- Has a net worth of at least USD 100,000 (or equivalent), certified by its auditors.
Applicants that do not meet the financial criteria may still apply with a letter of comfort from a qualifying parent company.
Benefits of a branch office
- Commercial income allowed - unlike a liaison office, a branch can invoice and earn in India.
- Profit repatriation - remit surplus abroad after paying Indian taxes.
- Direct market presence - operate under the parent's global brand.
- Full range of B2B activity - trading, consulting, technical support, and more.
- No separate incorporation - a lighter footprint than a subsidiary in some cases.
Documents required for branch office registration
From the foreign parent company
- Certificate of Incorporation / Registration (attested/apostilled).
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (attested/apostilled).
- Audited financial statements for the last 5 years.
- Board resolution to open a branch office in India.
- Details of directors/shareholders and net-worth certificate from the auditors.
For the proposed branch
- Proposed activities and address of the office in India.
- Details of the authorised signatory in India (passport, address proof, photographs).
- KYC report from the parent's banker (through the AD bank swift-based verification).
Branch office registration process (step by step)
KanoonPe manages the full RBI/AD-bank and RoC process; here is what happens.
- Assess eligibility. We confirm net worth, track record, and that your activities are permitted.
- Prepare Form FNC. We compile Form FNC with the parent's documents, apostilled and translated where needed.
- File through the AD bank. The application is submitted to a designated AD Category-I bank, which processes it (and routes to RBI/Government for prior approval where the sector or country requires it).
- Obtain approval & UIN. On approval, the RBI issues a Unique Identification Number (UIN) for the branch.
- Register with the RoC. File Form FC-1 with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of establishing the branch.
- PAN, TAN & bank account. We obtain PAN/TAN and open the India bank account so the branch can operate.
Ready to get started? Talk to a verified expert → - get a transparent, all-inclusive quote for branch office registration within one business hour.
Branch office registration fees in India
Costs include government/RoC filing fees, apostille/attestation of foreign documents, and professional fees for managing the RBI and MCA process.
KanoonPe offers a flat, all-inclusive quote for the core registration workflow - Form FNC preparation, AD-bank liaison, FC-1 filing, and PAN/TAN. Apostille and translation charges billed abroad are additional and disclosed up front.
Branch office registration timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Document preparation & apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| Form FNC filing & AD-bank/RBI processing | 3–5 weeks |
| RoC registration (FC-1) & PAN/TAN | 1–2 weeks |
| Total | 6–8 weeks |
Post-registration compliance
A branch office must stay compliant on an ongoing basis:
- File an Annual Activity Certificate (AAC) from a Chartered Accountant with the AD bank/RBI.
- File annual accounts and Form FC-3/FC-4 with the RoC.
- Comply with Indian income tax (branch profits are taxable in India) and GST where applicable.
- Maintain Accounting & Bookkeeping and file TDS Returns.
Branch office vs liaison office vs subsidiary
| Feature | Branch Office | Liaison Office | Indian Subsidiary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can earn income in India | Yes | No | Yes |
| Separate legal entity | No | No | Yes |
| Manufacturing allowed | No (except SEZ) | No | Yes |
| Approval | AD bank / RBI | AD bank / RBI | MCA incorporation |
| Best for | Commercial B2B presence | Market research / liaison | Full operations |
For a purely representative presence, see Liaison Office Registration; for full operations, see Indian Subsidiary of a Foreign Company.
Why choose KanoonPe
- Transparent flat pricing - one all-inclusive number, no surprise add-ons.
- Filed-on-time or refund - every order ships with a written SLA.
- One accountable case owner - a single named manager owns your setup.
- Live status tracking - follow your Form FNC and RoC filing in real time.
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