Business Setup in India for Foreign Nationals & Entities

Scope of Services

1. Advisory on Entry Strategy & Entity Selection

We evaluate your business objectives and recommend the most suitable legal structure, such as:

• Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS)

• Liaison Office / Representative Office

• Branch Office of a Foreign Company

• Joint Venture with Indian Partners

• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

• Project Office Setup

2. Company Incorporation & Regulatory Registrations

Complete documentation and legal setup under Indian corporate laws:

• Name approval and registration under the Companies Act, 2013

• PAN, TAN, and GST registration

• Import-Export Code (IEC) registration (if trading internationally)

• Professional Tax, Shops & Establishment, MSME/Udyam registration (if applicable)

• Director Identification Number (DIN) and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

3. RBI, FEMA & FDI Compliances

As foreign investment in India is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA):

• FDI compliance reporting (FC-GPR, FC-TRS) via RBI’s FIRMS Portal

• FIRC and KYC reporting for remittances

• Assistance in setting up bank accounts for inward remittance

• Sector-specific FDI cap and route (Automatic vs Approval) analysis

4. Business Licenses & Ancillary Registrations

Depending on the nature of your operations:

• FSSAI License (for food businesses)

• IEC Code (for export-import)

• Shop & Establishment License

• ESI, EPF, and Labor Welfare registrations

• Sectoral approvals (FinTech, EdTech, Pharma, etc.)

5. Accounting, Payroll & Tax Advisory

Get started with full back-office and financial administration support:

• Monthly bookkeeping & MIS reporting

• Payroll processing for Indian staff

• TDS, GST, and corporate income tax filings

• Advisory on Permanent Establishment (PE) risk & Transfer Pricing

6. Local Representation & Operational Setup

Where required by Indian laws:

• Resident Director appointment support

• Registered office address in India

• Liaison with banks, vendors, regulators

• Virtual office setup and staffing solutions (through partners)

Why Choose Unifinex Global?

• CA-Led Team with Cross-Border Expertise
  Our specialists understand the nuances of Indian and international regulatory frameworks.

• End-to-End Incorporation & Compliance
  From entity registration to licensing and tax—everything is handled professionally.

• FEMA & RBI Experts
  Precise documentation, timely filings, and strategic advisory for FDI compliance.

• Global Perspective, Local Presence
  We act as your local arm in India, while maintaining a global advisory standard.

• Transparent Pricing & Professional Integrity
  No hidden costs, timely updates, and full confidentiality.

Documents Required from Foreign Clients

A. For Individual Foreign Investors / Promoters

1. Passport Copy

• A clear, valid copy of the passport of the individual.

• Must be notarized and apostilled/consularized based on the country of issuance.

2. Proof of Address

• Recent utility bill (electricity/water/telephone) or

• Recent bank account statement (within 2–3 months).

• Should clearly mention the investor’s name and address, and must be notarized and apostilled if outside India.

3. Photograph

• Recent passport-sized color photographs (white background preferred).

• Required for KYC, DSC, and government filings.

4. Specimen Signature

• A scanned or wet-ink signature specimen on a plain white paper.

• Used for Director Identification Number (DIN) and digital documentation purposes.

5. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Application Documents

• DSC application form duly filled and signed.

• Passport copy and address proof for KYC verification by the Certifying Authority in India.

6. Director Identification Number (DIN) Application Documents

• Passport photo, address proof, and duly filled Form DIR-3 (handled by Unifinex Global).

• Self-attestation or notarization as per guidelines.

• dress.

Setting up a business in India as a foreign individual or entity involves furnishing certain key documents to comply with the legal, regulatory, and procedural requirements under Indian law, including the Companies Act, 2013, FEMA, Income Tax Act, and sector-specific regulations.
At Unifinex Global, we guide you through every step and help ensure that all documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant.

B. For Foreign Body Corporates / Companies

1. Certificate of Incorporation

• Certified true copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the foreign entity.

• Notarized and apostilled/consularized as per international legal standards.

2. Charter Documents (Constitutional Documents)

• Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) or equivalent documents (like bylaws).

• These documents should also be notarized and apostilled.

3. Board Resolution

• A formal Board Resolution passed by the foreign entity authorizing:

  • Setting up of the business in India.

  • Appointment of authorized representatives or directors.

  • Capital contribution or shareholding structure approval.

4. KYC Details of Authorized Signatories / Directors

• Passport copies, address proofs, and photographs of all individuals acting as authorized signatories in India.

• Digital signature application support for Indian filings.

5. Power of Attorney (POA)

• Authorizing a person in India to act on behalf of the foreign entity for incorporation and ongoing compliance matters.

• Should be executed on the company’s letterhead and notarized and apostilled.

6. Business Activity Description

• Detailed description of the intended business activities in India.

• Useful for choosing the right NIC code during company registration and licensing.

7. Registered Office Address Proof (India)

• Lease agreement / ownership document and

• Utility bill (within last 2 months) for the Indian registered office address.

Additional Documents (Depending on Entity Type / Operations)

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the premises owner (for office address proof).

• Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) in home country (if applicable).

• Bank account references or financial statements (sometimes needed for FDI scrutiny in sensitive sectors).

• Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Declaration where required.

• Sector-specific approvals or licenses if operating in regulated industries (such as Telecom, FinTech, Insurance, etc.).