Foreign companies engaged in manufacturing and trading activities abroad are allowed to set up Branch Offices in India for the following purposes after obtaining permission from the RBI:
Undertaking export or import of goods
Rendering professional or consultancy services
Carrying out research work, in which the parent company is engaged (provided that the results of the research work are made available to the Indian Companies)
Promoting technical or financial collaborations between Indian companies and the parent or overseas group company
Representing the parent company in India and acting as buying/selling agents in India
Rendering services in information technology and development of software in India
Rendering technical support to the products supplied by the parent/ overseas group companies
Foreign airlines or shipping companies are also permitted to open their branch offices in India.
A branch office is not allowed to carry out manufacturing activities on its own but is permitted to subcontract these to an Indian manufacturer. Such offices are a part of the foreign company and are not treated as a separate legal entity. Branch Offices established with the approval of RBI may remit outside India the profits of the branch, net of applicable Indian taxes and subject to RBI guidelines.
Company Registration in India |
Company Registration Procedure |
FDI Policy
