Asia
Private limited company via SPICe+ · check MCA fees and state stamp duty · one director stays 182 days per financial year (proportionate in year one)
Automatic or approval route · sector caps apply
Foreign investment can use the automatic or government route depending on the sector and conditions. Ownership caps and prohibited activities must be checked for the exact business.
Yes · one director stays 182 days per financial year
At least one director must stay in India for 182 days during the financial year. For a newly incorporated company, the requirement applies proportionately in that first financial year.
Check MCA filing fees and state stamp duty
Use the current MCA portal calculation for the chosen capital and registered-office state. Stamp duty and professional charges must be budgeted separately; the older fee concession has not been confirmed on the current portal.
22% optional base rate · surcharge and cess extra
Section 115BAA offers eligible domestic companies an optional 22% base income-tax rate, with surcharge and cess in addition. The option has conditions, including restrictions on specified deductions; 22% is not the universal effective company tax rate.
Ecosystem evidence, not proof of demand for your product. Validate customers, competition and economics before investing.
India’s Commerce Ministry describes household consumption and digital-commerce routes connecting sellers with urban and rural customers. Choose a customer segment and test its purchasing behaviour before scaling.
Companies can investigate relevant production or research partners, subject to product-specific approvals.
India’s official IT policy material describes a substantial IT and IT-enabled-services ecosystem and widespread digital payment use. That supports investigating technology partners and digital channels, but does not establish demand, margins or suitable hiring costs for your business.
The official visa schedule provides a business-visit category distinct from employment. Customer meetings can be planned around the permitted category, but sales, local invoicing, staffing and a permanent office need their own legal and tax assessment.
Private limited companies incorporate through SPICe+ and linked forms. Choose the investment route and prepare the shareholders’ and directors’ documents before filing.
An Indian company issuing equity instruments to a non-resident under the FDI rules must report the issue through FC-GPR. Late reporting is subject to the applicable late-submission rules.
The incorporation process includes a linked bank-account application. A submitted application is distinct from a bank’s completed onboarding.
India’s visa portal distinguishes business visits from employment. Match the proposed activity and nationality to the permitted visa category; a business visit permission is not a general right to work locally.
MCA’s SPICe+ guidance sets authentication requirements for documents executed outside India, including notarisation, apostille or consular formalities depending on the country and document. Collect these before scheduling incorporation.
National observations help frame the market. They do not measure demand for your specific product.
US$3.96tn
USD · 2025
1.46bn
people · 2025
7.6%
2025
46.3% of GDP
2025
70.0% of population
2025
Tell us what you sell, where you operate and what you want to achieve.
Information on this page is compiled from official and public sources, linked and dated next to each item. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, and rules change. Please confirm with the source or a qualified adviser before acting. ExpandUs Global accepts no liability for decisions made using this information.
