Liaison Office Registration in India
Representative office of a foreign company — no commercial activity
- 1AssessEligibility and activities confirmed.
- 2ApplyForm FNC filed through the AD bank; UIN issued on approval.
- 3RegisterFC-1, PAN, TAN and bank account set up.
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 Liaison Office Registration in India
A clear overview, in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and how we handle it.
A liaison office lets a foreign company represent itself in India — promoting its products, coordinating with Indian buyers and suppliers and acting as a communication channel — without earning any income here. The parent needs a profit-making track record of three years at home and a net worth of at least USD 50,000. The application is made in Form FNC through an authorised dealer bank, and the office must register with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days.
A liaison office (LO) is the lightest way to be present in India. It can't trade, sign contracts or receive income; all its expenses are met by remittances from the parent. In return it is not taxed on profits, though it must deduct TDS on salaries and rent and file an annual statement of activities with the tax department in Form 49C.
Approval is usually given for three years (two years for NBFCs and construction companies) and can be extended. Every year the LO must submit an Annual Activity Certificate from a chartered accountant, with its audited accounts, to the AD bank, the Director General of Income Tax (International Taxation) and, where applicable, the State Police.
| Law | FEMA (Establishment in India of a Branch, Liaison or Project Office) Regulations, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Profits in the last 3 years; net worth ≥ USD 50,000 |
| Application | Form FNC through an AD Category-I bank |
| ROC | Form FC-1 within 30 days of establishment |
| Annual | Annual Activity Certificate with audited accounts; Form 49C to tax department |
Who this is for
Common scenarios where this service is a good fit.
- Foreign companies testing the Indian market
- Overseas manufacturers sourcing from Indian suppliers
- Foreign firms that need a coordination office without trading
What you get
Clear deliverables so you know exactly what's included.
- Eligibility check and choice between LO, BO and subsidiary
- Form FNC and supporting documents through the bank
- ROC registration (FC-1), PAN and TAN
- First Annual Activity Certificate and Form 49C plan
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.
Eligibility and activities confirmed.
Form FNC filed through the AD bank; UIN issued on approval.
FC-1, PAN, TAN and bank account set up.
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
- Representative office
- Common name for a liaison office.
- Annual Activity Certificate
- Yearly CA certificate for the LO.
Official sources
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.
