Branch Office & Project Office Registration
Foreign company branch or project site office under FEMA
- 1StructureOffice type selected for the activity.
- 2ApproveFNC filed through the AD bank or PO intimation given.
- 3ComplyROC, tax and annual activity reporting.
Share your details. We’ll reply on WhatsApp with the next steps and a checklist.
Pick a plan — the fee is adjusted if you hire us within 30 days.
About Branch Office & Project Office Registration
A clear overview, in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and how we handle it.
A foreign company can open a branch office in India for permitted activities such as exporting and importing, professional and consultancy services, research, and acting as buying or selling agent — but not manufacturing or retail trading. It needs a five-year profit track record and net worth of at least USD 100,000. A project office is set up only to execute a specific contract in India. Branch profits are taxed at the foreign-company rate of 35% plus surcharge and cess.
A branch office (BO) is the foreign company itself operating in India, so its income is taxed here as that of a foreign company and its liabilities are the parent's. It is approved through an AD Category-I bank in Form FNC; sectors where FDI isn't fully under the automatic route, or applicants from land-border countries, need prior approval.
A project office (PO) is narrower: it can be opened without prior RBI approval if the foreign company has secured a contract from an Indian company to execute a project in India and the project is funded as the regulations require. It closes when the project ends, and surplus can be repatriated after audit.
| Branch eligibility | Profits in the last 5 years; net worth ≥ USD 100,000 |
|---|---|
| Not permitted for BO | Manufacturing and retail trading |
| Tax on branch profits | 35% plus surcharge and cess (foreign company rate) |
| Project office | For a specific contract awarded in India |
| ROC | Form FC-1 within 30 days; FC-3 annual accounts |
Who this is for
Common scenarios where this service is a good fit.
- Foreign consulting and engineering firms with Indian contracts
- Overseas companies exporting from or importing into India
- Contractors executing infrastructure or EPC projects
What you get
Clear deliverables so you know exactly what's included.
- Choice between BO, PO and subsidiary
- Form FNC application or project office intimation
- FC-1, PAN, TAN and GST registration
- Tax, transfer pricing and repatriation planning
Expert review before every submission — not just data entry.
Working notes and reconciliations you can rely on in future notices.
Resident Indians, NRIs, expats and cross-border businesses — all served.
Documents required
A practical checklist. We'll tell you if anything else is needed based on your case.
* This is a base checklist. After a quick pre-check, we may ask for additional items specific to your case.
Process
A simple, trackable workflow — designed to avoid back-and-forth.
Office type selected for the activity.
FNC filed through the AD bank or PO intimation given.
ROC, tax and annual activity reporting.
Get a quote
We share a clear quote on WhatsApp after a quick checklist pre-check.
- Fixed quote on WhatsApp after a short look at your facts and documents.
- Government fees, if any, are paid at actuals and shown separately.
| Factor | DIY | Indus Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Expert review | ❌ | ✅ |
| Notice risk reduction | ❌ | ✅ |
| Deduction optimisation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audit-ready records | ❌ | ✅ |
| AIS/26AS reconciliation | ❌ | ✅ |
Share your facts and deadline. We'll reply with the right checklist and a clear quote.
Fee adjusted against our service fee if you go ahead within 30 days.
- Priority CA Call-backSkip the queue — a CA calls you within 30 minutes.₹255
- RecommendedCA Consultation (30 min)Talk one matter through properly with a CA.₹755
- In-depth CA Review (60 min)Documents reviewed before the call, written action plan after.₹1,155
Call-backs run Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST. Booked outside these hours? We call you first thing the next working morning.
Compare the 3 plansFrequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions we get.
This page also covers
- Project office
- Office for executing a specific Indian contract.
- Branch office in SEZ
- Branches set up in Special Economic Zones.
Official sources
- Reserve Bank of India — FEMA notifications
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs — MCA21 portal
- Income Tax e-Filing portal
Indus Tax is a private professional services firm and is not affiliated with any government authority. Rules and fees change — we confirm current positions before filing.
