Branch Office Registration
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Branch Office Registration - Overview
Every entity has its registered office in one place and that office means the head of all business operations from which all the important business execution and meeting is conducted and all types of transactions and communications are received. Generally, to expand its business operations, the company opens a branch office which may or may not be within the same location or state or country. It mostly depends on the demand of the business. The registration process of a private limited company is regulated by The Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the company has to inform all the necessary execution taken place in the structure of the entity to the MCA.
It becomes executable for a foreign entity to operate their business in India and to execute that all they have to do is to register a branch office. The permission for the branch office registration is approved by Reserve Bank of India via AD category 1 Banker and additionally the foreign company registration has to be done with the ROC. A branch office of a foreign entity is conceived as a foreign entity.
By opening a branch office for a foreign company is always good as it enjoys the benefits for executing full-fledged business operations in India.
Activities that Branch Office can perform
- It can carry on import & export of goods
- It can provide consultant and professional services
- It can conduct research activities in all those location where registered company is already actively needed
- It can improve technical or financial dealing of the company on behalf of the head office.
- It can work as a representative of a registered company and acts as a buying/selling agent of the company
- It can delivers IT services such as filing returns, etc. and develops software in India
- It can involves in the service of technical support for the services and products supplied by the head company
- To act as an approved representative for a airline company or foreign shipping in India
Checklist to start a branch office in India
- A company should start a branch office depending on the need and demand of the services or products of that company. And it also depends on the nature of the company or business.
- Another important factor the company should keep in mind is the cost and taxes involved in the process of starting a branch office. The cost for setting up a branch office must be projected and must be planned in advance to make firm decisions. Additionally, The company must also check the terms of taxes included in the process.
- Next important factor involved in starting a branch office is the market analysis in which location the company is planning to set up its branch office. The points to be considered in market analysis are as follows, location, competitors in that location, the demand for the product or service, culture of that particular location, etc.
- The location in which the company is planning to start a branch office plays a vital role. The preferred location must consider the following factors competition, accessibility, availability of staff.
- A company can start as many branches as needed to expand and to develop its business. There is no need to inform MCA for opening a branch office which is essential for changing the company’s registered office. But it is mandatory to take local registrations and inform authorities as needed by law.
The Registration Process of Branch Office in India
Application For Digital Signature Certificate Of Authorized Signatory
The process of filing an application to the registrar of companies is followed online to get a DSC. And to authenticate the process of application for digital signature of the proposed shareholders and directors are required.
Filing Of Application With RBI Via AD Bank
An application to start a branch office is filed in FNC and it is filed to the Reserve Bank of India through AD Bank or Authorized Dealer. The Authorized Dealer bank has an important role as all the important communication to the RBI is carried through them.
Verification Of KYC From The Parent Company Banker
A request concerning the scrutiny of required documents is sent to the Parent company’s banker. This process of sending requests for the verification purpose is also called swift based verification. Once the documents are verified from the banker the application is forwarded for the approval purpose. The RBI/AD are also allowed to ask for the additional documents if required.
GST Registration & IEC
On receiving the Bank Account and cheque book as the need arises for a copy of the check is required to file an application for GST registration and to receive Import Export Code.
Approval Of RBI To Start A Branch Office Registration In India
The prescribed policy is followed to approve the branch office in India by the Authorized Dealer Banker itself. Priority is provided to the cases where an automatic route is not possible.
Registration Of Branch Office With ROC
Once the approval process is over, the RBI grants the permission to establish the Branch Office in India. To complete the process, an application is filled and submitted in form FC-1 for branch office registration within 30 days of such approval by the foreign company. DIN is needed if any Indian director and the digital signature is required of the authorized signatory for the e-filing statutory forms purpose with the ROC.
PAN Card, Tax Deduction Number And Bank Account Opening
The Income Tax department of India grants a unique 10 digit number, which is known as PAN number. Once the PAN number is received, the branch office can open its bank account. And it is mandatory for every taxpayer to receive the Tax Deduction Account Number to follow all the TDS norms.
List of documents needed for Branch Office Registration in India
Documents needed from Parent Company are follows
- COI or Certificate of Incorporation
- MoA and AoA of the company
- List of Directors and Key Executives of the registered company
- List of the shareholders of the applicant company
- Net worth certificate signed by Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Audited financial statement of last five preceding year’s
- A statement from applicant’s banker
Documents Needed For The Company Registered Address
- 5 passport size photographs
- 5 copies of National Identity Card
- 5 copies of passport
- A copy of Business Visa with along with Immigration Stamp of arrival on it
- Latest Address Proof such as Electricity Bill or Phone Bill or Water Bill or Statement from bank
- Power of Attorney in the AR name
- Board Resolution charging the AR
Drafting of Government Forms and Documents
On obtaining the complete list of authentic documents required for the registration process, the next step is to draft the following documents to get the signature from the applicant company and the authorized personnel.
- Board Resolution which stating about the starting of branch office in India
- A declaration afforded by the applicant on the FDI eligibility and source of investment or fund.
- A declaration stating the nature of the business activity will be conducted, the location of the business activity of the proposed branch office.
- A declaration stating the nature of the business activity of the applicant company with the location in which the activity of the applicant company will occur.
- Form FNC.
- A letter of comfort or console from the holding company.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- China
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Or any kind of application for opening of a branch office in Jammu and Kashmir, North East Region and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.