How to register a company in India

Yes. Foreigners can hold up to 100% of most companies (FDI automatic route; some sectors capped). A private company needs 2 directors, one resident in India (182+ days a year), plus a DIN, an Indian-issued DSC and apostilled ID papers. Foreign funds are reported to the RBI (FC-GPR) within 30 days.

1. 1

   Buy Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for each proposed director and subscriber from a licensed Certifying Authority; foreign nationals need apostilled ID and address proofs.

2. 2

   File SPICe+ Part A on the MCA V3 portal with two name options and the main business objects to reserve the name (about ₹1,000).

3. 3

   File SPICe+ Part B with linked e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34) to apply for incorporation, DIN, PAN and TAN; foreign subscribers without a valid DIN attach apostilled MoA and AoA.

4. 4

   Pay the MCA fee (nil up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital) and the state stamp duty on the MoA/AoA online; SPICe+ allows up to 7 subscribers.

5. 5

   Add AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35) in the same filing for GSTIN, EPFO, ESIC, professional tax and a bank account if wanted; the Registrar then issues the Certificate of Incorporation with the CIN.

6. 6

   Open the current account and deposit the subscribed capital; file INC-20A (commencement of business) within 180 days and appoint the first auditor within 30 days (ADT-1).

7. 7

   If foreign money comes in, report the receipt through the bank and file Form FC-GPR on the RBI FIRMS portal within 30 days of share allotment.

• Passport and a second ID (PAN/Aadhaar for Indians) for each director and subscriber
• Address proof such as a utility bill or bank statement dated within 2 months
• Passport-size photographs
• Registered office proof: rent agreement, owner's NOC and a recent utility bill
• Apostilled (and translated) ID and address proofs for foreign nationals
• Digital Signature Certificates for the signing directors
• Director consents and declarations, and the e-MoA and e-AoA

• Hold an AGM within 6 months of year-end, file AOC-4 (accounts) and MGT-7 (annual return) with the Registrar; a statutory audit by a chartered accountant is compulsory
• File the company income-tax return (ITR-6) and pay advance tax; the concessional rate is 22% plus surcharge and cess (about 25.17%); GST returns if registered
• Each director completes DIR-3 KYC every year; keep statutory registers and file significant beneficial owner (SBO) declarations where they apply
• Foreign-owned companies file FC-GPR within 30 days of each allotment and the FLA return with the RBI by 15 July each year
• Deposit TDS and PF/ESI contributions on time if you employ staff

1. 1

   Buy Class 3 DSCs for the designated partners; a DPIN for up to 2 designated partners is issued through the incorporation form at no extra cost.

2. 2

   Optionally reserve the LLP name through RUN-LLP (about ₹200, valid 90 days) or propose names inside the form; names must end with LLP or Limited Liability Partnership.

3. 3

   File Form FiLLiP on the MCA portal with partner details, contribution amounts and the registered-office proof.

4. 4

   Pay the fee based on contribution (about ₹500 up to ₹1 lakh; up to ₹5,000 above ₹10 lakh) and the state stamp duty on the LLP agreement.

5. 5

   Receive the Certificate of Incorporation with the LLPIN, then apply for the LLP's PAN and TAN.

6. 6

   File the LLP Agreement (Form 3) within 30 days of incorporation; open the bank account and register for GST or Udyam if needed.

• Passport and ID/address proofs for each partner (apostilled for foreigners)
• Registered office proof and the owner's NOC
• Digital Signature Certificates for the designated partners
• Consent to act as designated partner and partner declarations
• Draft LLP agreement

• File Form 11 (annual return) by 30 May and Form 8 (statement of accounts and solvency) by 30 October
• Audit is required only if turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh or contribution exceeds ₹25 lakh
• File the LLP's income-tax return (ITR-5) and GST returns if registered; partners are taxed on their remuneration
• Foreign investment is allowed only in sectors with 100% automatic-route FDI and no performance conditions; report it to the RBI

1. 1

   Use your PAN and Aadhaar; the proprietorship has no registry entry of its own, so open a current account in your trade name with the bank's KYC.

2. 2

   Register on Udyam (free MSME registration) with your Aadhaar and PAN to get an Udyam certificate and priority-lending benefits.

3. 3

   Register for GST on the GST portal if turnover passes ₹20 lakh (services) or ₹40 lakh (goods), or earlier for inter-state supplies and e-commerce sales.

4. 4

   Obtain the state or municipal Shops and Establishment or trade licence; add FSSAI, IEC or other sector licences if relevant.

5. 5

   Keep books and file your personal income-tax return with the business income schedule each year.

• PAN and Aadhaar of the proprietor
• Address proof for the business premises (rent agreement or utility bill)
• Bank account details and cancelled cheque
• Photograph and a mobile number/email linked to Aadhaar

• File your personal income-tax return (ITR) every year and pay advance tax if liability exceeds ₹10,000
• File GST returns monthly or quarterly if registered
• Renew the Shops and Establishment or trade licence as the state requires
• Register for PF/ESI and professional tax once you hire staff

• GST registration with the GST portal (threshold ₹20 lakh for services, ₹40 lakh for goods in most states; earlier for inter-state services and e-commerce); it can be applied for inside SPICe+ via AGILE-PRO-S
• Employer registrations: EPFO if 20+ employees, ESIC if 10+ employees (wage ceiling ₹21,000 a month), state professional tax and a Shops and Establishment licence
• Open a current account in the company's name and deposit the subscribed capital; foreign shareholders must remit through banking channels
• File INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation, appoint the first auditor within 30 days (ADT-1) and issue share certificates
• Foreign investors: report inward remittance and file FC-GPR on the RBI's FIRMS portal within 30 days of allotment
• Record significant beneficial owners (declaration BEN-1/BEN-2) and keep the statutory registers
• Register on Udyam for MSME benefits and consider DPIIT startup recognition; get sector licences (FSSAI, IEC, RBI/SEBI approvals) where relevant

Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• China
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Singapore