Company Registration Overseas

Setting up a company abroad from India — jurisdiction choice, foreign incorporation and ODI compliance with the AD bank under FEMA.

Estimate Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹3,00,000
Typical duration: 30 days

Service overview

Company Registration Overseas enables Indian individuals and corporate entities to establish foreign subsidiaries, branch offices, or joint ventures abroad
This service integrates foreign jurisdiction incorporation with strict compliance under India's Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) guidelines administered via Authorised Dealer (AD) Banks and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Who needs it? / When is it needed?

Indian startups expanding operations into global hubs (USA, UAE, Singapore, UK).
Export-oriented businesses requiring local physical presence and foreign bank accounts.
High-net-worth individuals making foreign business investments under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) or ODI routes.

What to expect from the WCP Professionals

Diagnose Destination & Structure: WCP professionals analyze your business model, target market, and capital flow to recommend the right jurisdiction (USA, UAE, Singapore, UK) and entity structure (Subsidiary, Joint Venture, Branch).
FEMA & Cross-Border Audit: WCP professionals examine your Indian entity's financials and promoter background to ensure strict compliance with Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) guidelines and Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) limits.
Coordinate International Documentation: WCP professionals manage the apostille, notarization, and consular legalization of Indian corporate documents required by foreign incorporation registries.
Execute Local & AD Bank Filings: WCP professionals coordinate local incorporation through foreign legal partners while filing Form FC (ODI Part I) through your Authorised Dealer (AD) Bank in India.
Prevent Tax & Round-Tripping Pitfalls: WCP professionals structure the outward remittance to safeguard against illegal round-tripping rules and optimize Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA).
Deliver Compliance Roadmap: WCP professionals hand over your foreign incorporation documents alongside a yearly calendar for Indian reporting obligations, including Annual Performance Reports (APR) and FLA returns.

Key deliverables

Cross-border Tax & Legal Structuring Advisory Report.
Form FC (ODI Part I) filing acknowledgment from AD Bank.
Overseas Entity Certificate of Incorporation & Articles
Apostilled/Notarized legal document package.
Annual FEMA compliance calendar (APR & FLA returns).

Standard turnaround time

Cross-Border Advisory: 3 to 7 business days.
Foreign Incorporation: 1 to 4 weeks (varies by target jurisdiction).
AD Bank ODI Filing & Remittance Approval: 2 to 4 weeks

Government fees, timelines & key outcomes

Government Fees: Local foreign government filing fees, registered agent charges, and AD bank processing costs.
Timelines: Annual FLA returns due by July 15; APR due by December 31 annually.
Key Outcome: Fully incorporated foreign legal entity with compliant outward remittance records in India.

Forms & filings involved

Form FC (ODI Part I): Overseas Direct Investment reporting through AD Bank.
FLA Return: Foreign Assets and Liabilities Return to RBI.
Form 15CA/15CB: Tax clearance certificates for foreign outward remittances

Documents required

PAN, Aadhaar, and Passports of Indian promoters/directors.
Net Worth Certificates and Audited Financial Statements.
Indian Company Board Resolutions approving foreign investment.
Detailed Business Plan and source of funds documentation.

What we need from you

Clear commercial narrative explaining foreign business intent.
Transparent source of capital documentation.
Timely execution of apostilled documents.

Important conditions

Overseas investments must strictly follow FEMA sectoral restrictions and limits.
Foreign law compliance remains subject to local destination regulations.
Bank and government charges.

Additional information

Always evaluate both foreign local corporate taxes and Indian domestic tax liabilities before finalizing your foreign subsidiary location.

The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.

How it works

1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.

Raise an enquiry for Company Registration Overseas →

Frequently asked questions

Can an Indian resident set up a company abroad?

Yes, as overseas direct investment under the Foreign Exchange Management (Overseas Investment) Rules, 2022, routed and reported through an authorised dealer bank.

Which form reports overseas investment?

Form ODI is reported through the AD bank when the investment is made, followed by an Annual Performance Report and the FLA return.

Does an Indian company need RBI approval to invest abroad?

Most investments fall under the automatic route within prescribed financial limits; only some need prior approval.

How long does overseas incorporation take?

From one to four weeks depending on the jurisdiction, plus time for bank account opening and ODI reporting.

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