What are the Steps of Opening a Liaison Office in India?

Registering a Liaison Office is quick, easy, and can be done online with Numbro in 3 simple steps:

We understand and facilitate in close working relationships between parent companies situated abroad and business parties in India

We understand and facilitate in close working relationships between parent companies situated abroad and business parties in India

Helps you with the required permissions and approvals and shall ensure compliance mechansim is smooth

Helps you with the required permissions and approvals and shall ensure compliance mechansim is smooth

Obtain all the required approvals, prepare a compliance chart which are applicable under various acts monitor the applicable laws and report to the concerned statutory

Obtain all the required approvals, prepare a compliance chart which are applicable under various acts monitor the applicable laws and report to the concerned statutory

Liaison Office for Exploring New Business Opportunities

For foreign companies that plan to set up their business operations in India, Liaison Office (LO) is the best option. The aim of setting up a Liaison Office is to explore possible business opportunities in another country by gathering relevant business information. Apart from this, starting a Liaison Office facilitates exports and helps a foreign company to have their presence in another country from worldwide business outlook.

A Liaison Office is also known as a Representative Office. A liaison office can undertake only liaison activities in India. In other words, it can act as a medium of communication between Head Office (which is outside India) and parties in India.

A wholly owned subsidiary can belong to the same industry as that of the parent company or it can belong to a different industry altogether.

    Definition of Liaison Office as per FEMA

    ‘Liaison Office’ means a place of business to act as a channel of communication between the principal place of business or Head Office or by whatever name called and entities in India but which does not undertake any commercial /trading/ industrial activity, directly or indirectly, and maintains itself out of inward remittances received from abroad through normal banking channel.

    FAQ's

    What is a Liaison Office?

    A Liaison Office is set up by a foreign company to undertake liaison activities in India. Setting up a Liaison Office in India helps companies to tap the existing business potential in India by gathering information about possible market opportunities and framing appropriate business strategies.

    It acts as a channel of communication between Head Office abroad and parties in India. In other words, a liaison office acts as a marketing channel to provide information about the foreign company and its products to the prospective customers in India.

    What are the permitted activities for a Liaison office in India?

    A person resident outside India or a foreign company abroad is permitted by the Reserve Bank of India to establish a liaison office in India. However, it may undertake or carry on only those business activities that are specified by the law. These activities are:

    • Acting as a marketing channel between the Head office abroad and parties in India.
    • Representing the foreign company (parent or Group Company) in India by providing information about the products to Indian customers.
    Who can set up a Liaison Office?

    A person resident outside India or a foreign company abroad is permitted by the Reserve Bank of India to establish a liaison office in India, provided it meets the following criterion:

    • Net worth equal to USD 50,000 or more., and
    • Profitable financial track record of the immediately preceding three years in the original country of registration.

    However, if a person resident outside India or a foreign company abroad are not financially sound and are subsidiaries of other companies, then, in that case, it may furnish a Letter of Comfort from the parent company. In such cases, the parent company has to satisfy the prescribed criterion for net worth and profit.

    In order to open a Liaison Office in India, the foreign company has to submit an application to a designated AD Category - I bank Subject to FEMA Regulations and guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank. What if a foreign company is not able to open the Liaison office after getting approval from RBI?

    In case where the foreign company is not able to open the Liaison office within 6 months from the date of approval letter due to reasons beyond its control, then the AD Category-I bank may consider granting an extension of time for a further period of 6 months for setting up the office with the prior approval of RBI.

    What are the annual compliances for a Liaison Office?

    As annual compliance, a Liaison Office is required to furnish an annual activity certificate to the AD Category-1 Bank, Directorate General of Income Tax, concerned Registrar of Companies and Director General of Police, on or before 30th September of every financial year.