Setup a Liaison Office your Indian market presence, without the compliance burden of a full entity.
End-to-end Liaison Office setup in Mumbai and across India — RBI approval under FEMA, FC-1 ROC registration, PAN, bank account, annual FNC and FC-3, and RBI renewal every 3 years for foreign companies establishing a representative presence in India.
A Liaison Office (LO), also called a Representative Office, is the most restricted but least compliance-intensive foreign company structure in India. Permitted by RBI under FEMA, a Liaison Office cannot carry out any commercial or trading activities and cannot earn any India income — all expenses must be funded by inward remittances from the foreign parent.
Permissible activities are limited to representing the parent company in India, promoting export and import, facilitating technical and financial collaborations, and acting as a communication channel. Because it earns no India income, a Liaison Office does not file income tax returns. It is ideal for market research, promotion, and supplier/customer management without committing to a full entity.
Our Liaison Office setup covers RBI application preparation, parent document apostille, FC-1 ROC registration, PAN, bank account opening, annual FNC through the AD bank, FC-3 with the ROC, and RBI renewal every 3 years. We also advise on permissible activities to prevent inadvertent violations.
Our Liaison Office Setup Services
Structure Advisory
Liaison vs Branch vs Project vs Subsidiary — choosing the right structure for intended activities.
RBI Application
Application with business plan, parent company documents, and banker's report through AD bank.
Foreign Document Apostille
Apostille of incorporation certificate, MOA, audited accounts, and board resolution.
ROC Registration — FC-1
FC-1 registration with the ROC within 30 days of establishment.
PAN & Bank Account
PAN application and current account with an Authorised Dealer bank.
Annual Activity Certificate (FNC)
Annual FNC through AD bank certifying activities and funding source.
Annual ROC Filing — FC-3
Annual FC-3 with audited accounts and compliance certificate.
RBI Renewal (3-yearly)
RBI renewal application every 3 years with updated business plan.
Our Liaison Office Setup Workflow
Activity Scoping
Define permissible activities and confirm funding source.
Document Preparation
Apostille foreign documents and prepare RBI application.
RBI Approval
Submit through AD bank and receive Unique Identification Number.
ROC & PAN
File FC-1, apply for PAN, and open bank account.
Annual Compliance
File FNC and FC-3 annually; renew RBI approval every 3 years.
Benefits of a Liaison Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Represent the parent, promote trade, facilitate collaborations, and act as a communication channel. Cannot earn income — must be funded by the foreign parent.
Typically 4 to 8 weeks from a complete application through the AD bank.
Initial approval is typically 3 years, renewable before expiry with updated business plan and activity report.
No income tax return for a nil-income LO. Must file Annual Activity Certificate (FNC) through AD bank and Form FC-3 with ROC annually.
Yes. Apply to RBI for revised approval for income-generating activities, or incorporate an Indian subsidiary independently.
Set Up Your Liaison Office in India
From RBI application to FC-1 and annual compliance, our team manages your Liaison Office setup so you can focus on building relationships in India.
Set Up My Liaison Office or call +91 9819 000 511