When a foreign company or entrepreneur decides to enter India, one of the first — and most consequential — decisions is choosing the right legal structure. The wrong choice can mean higher taxes, compliance burdens, or restrictions on business activities.
This guide compares the four main options available to foreign businesses entering India.
Option 1: Private Limited Company (Subsidiary / WOS)
The most popular choice for foreign companies entering India. A Private Limited Company is a separate legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
Best for: Foreign companies wanting full operational presence in India — selling products/services, hiring staff, signing contracts, billing Indian clients.
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100% foreign ownership allowed in most sectors (automatic FDI route)
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Separate legal entity — parent company liability is limited to shareholding
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Can earn revenues, hold assets, employ staff in India
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Subject to Indian corporate tax (22% + surcharge + cess under Section 115BAA)
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Dividends repatriable after withholding tax
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Annual compliance: MCA filings, statutory audit, transfer pricing if applicable
Timeline: 15–25 business days (post document collection)
Option 2: Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
An LLP is a hybrid structure combining features of a partnership and a company. Foreign investment into LLPs requires government approval in most cases, making it less commonly chosen by foreign investors.
Best for: Professional service firms (consultants, architects) or joint ventures where flexibility in profit sharing is important.
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Partners have limited liability
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More flexible profit-sharing than a company
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Foreign investment requires government approval (not automatic route)
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Lower compliance burden than a Pvt Ltd company
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Cannot raise equity funding or issue shares
Timeline: 15–20 business days
Option 3: Branch Office
A Branch Office is an extension of the foreign parent company in India. It is not a separate legal entity — the parent company bears full legal and financial liability for the branch.
Best for: Foreign banks, insurance companies, or companies that want to conduct activities of the parent company in India without creating a subsidiary.
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Requires prior approval from RBI
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Can undertake only activities permitted by RBI (broadly: same as parent company)
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Tax rate of 40% on net income (higher than a subsidiary)
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Annual compliance: Income tax return, audit, FEMA filings
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Cannot manufacture goods in India
Timeline: 4–6 weeks (including RBI approval)
Option 4: Liaison Office
A Liaison Office (also called Representative Office) can only promote the parent company's business and carry out market research. It cannot earn any revenue in India.
Best for: Foreign companies at the market assessment stage — exploring India before committing to a full entry.
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Requires RBI approval
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Permitted activities: market research, promotion of parent's products/services, liaison between parent and Indian customers
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Cannot sign commercial contracts or earn income
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All expenses funded by inward remittances from parent
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Tax exempt (no India income earned)
Timeline: 4–6 weeks (including RBI approval)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Feature | Pvt Ltd (WOS) | LLP | Branch Office | Liaison Office
Our Recommendation for Most Foreign Companies
For 90% of foreign companies entering India — especially in technology, SaaS, GCC/captive centres, and professional services — a Private Limited Company (WOS) is the right choice. It offers the best combination of operational flexibility, tax efficiency, and investor confidence.
The LLP is worth considering only for professional services firms with specific structuring needs. Branch and Liaison Offices are niche structures suited for regulated industries or market assessment phases.
How PGA & Co. Can Help
We advise foreign companies on the right entry structure based on their sector, business model, and investment horizon. Our team of CAs, Company Secretaries, and international tax specialists handles end-to-end setup and ongoing compliance.
Our CA team advises foreign companies on company setup every day. Book a free 30-minute consultation.