RBI Master Direction on branch, liaison and project offices
The core rulebook for foreign offices: eligibility, approval route, permitted activities, extension and closure.
Read source →Before you set up
- Earning revenue: company, LLP or branch. Research only: liaison office. Awarded project: project office.
- A company needs 2+ directors and shareholders with one director 182+ days in India; an LLP needs one designated partner 120+ days.
- Allot shares within 60 days of receipt and file FC-GPR within 30 days; late fees can't be waived.
- Branch: 5 years' profit and USD 100k net worth; liaison: 3 years and USD 50k; otherwise a parent Letter of Comfort.
- Korean documents need notarised translation and apostille; address proof usually within two months.
- Tax: company 22% (concessional, plus surcharge), LLP 30%, branch/project office 35%; new Income-tax Act from April 2026.
Essentials
Rules by entity, director requirements, capital and FC-GPR, documents and tax from official and expert sources.
Comparing entry structures
Compares liaison, branch, project office, LLP, WOS and JV by scope and timeline.
Read source →India–Korea tax treaty rates
Under the revised treaty, dividends are capped at 15%, interest and technical fees at 10%.
Read source →LLP Form 8 is due 30 October
LLPs with a March year-end file Form 8 for FY 2025-26 by 30 October, even with no turnover; late fees grow with delay.
Read source →A 'foreign company' is not an Indian company with foreign owners
Per the MCA FAQs of August 2026: a foreign company is incorporated abroad with a place of business in India; an Indian subsidiary of a Korean parent is an Indian company and need not register as a foreign company.
Read source →FC-1: registering a foreign company's office
Branch, liaison and project offices file FC-1 with the ROC within 30 days.
Read source →Small company definition excludes subsidiaries
A company controlled by another company is never small, including Korean subsidiaries.
Read source →Project office requirements
Opens under general permission if awarded by an Indian company and funded by remittance, agency or Indian loan.
Read source →State stamp duty on MOA/AOA 2026
Stamp duty varies by state: ₹720 in Tamil Nadu vs ₹6,020 in Karnataka at ₹10 lakh capital.
Read source →Foreign investment in LLPs
Allowed only in 100% automatic sectors without conditions; report as LLP(I) within 30 days.
Read source →Draft foreign investment rules overhaul: what it means for subsidiaries
RBI published draft FEMA (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 on 21 July to replace the NDI Rules, 2019, with comments closing 31 August. I could not confirm a final notification as of 22 October.
Read source →Liaison office timeline and annual duties
RBI takes 4–12 weeks; end to end up to 10–20 weeks. Annual AAC, FC-4 and nil returns follow.
Read source →Korean documents and apostille
Both are Apostille members; MOFA apostille is accepted in India without consular legalisation.
Read source →FC-GPR: allot in 60 days, report in 30
Allot within 60 days of receipt and report on FIRMS within 30 days; register the entity master first.
Read source →Draft incorporation rules: what changes
The draft published on 8 April simplifies incorporation. It is not yet final, so current rules still apply.
Read source →Incorporating with SPICe+
One online form for name (Part A) and incorporation (Part B) with eMOA, eAOA and AGILE-PRO-S; PAN and TAN come with it.
Read source →Resident director 182 days, designated partner 120 days
One director must spend 182+ days in India per financial year (LLP partner 120+); pro-rated in year one.
Read source →AI
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