A French company can open a liaison office or a branch office in India with approval processed through an authorised dealer bank under the RBI's rules. A liaison office can only promote and liaise, with no income in India, and generally needs a three-year profit record and net worth of USD 50,000. A branch office can earn income from permitted activities and generally needs a five-year profit record and net worth of USD 100,000. Some sectors need government approval.
- Document route
- Notaire or mairie certification, then apostille from the cour d'appel
- Time difference
- India is 3.5 hours (summer) to 4.5 hours (winter) ahead
- Law
- FEMA BO/LO/PO Regulations 2016
- Applied to
- AD Category-I bank (Form FNC)
Branch & Liaison Office from France: how it works
The application is made through an Indian bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange, using Form FNC with the French parent's documents: Kbis extract, statuts, audited accounts for the required years, a board resolution and a letter of comfort if a group company provides the net worth. These are apostilled in France and, where French-only, translated. The bank forwards cases to the RBI in specified situations, for example where the parent is from a sensitive country or the sector needs government approval. After approval, the office registers with the Registrar of Companies as a foreign company within the prescribed time and obtains a PAN.
Running the office in India is where French companies need the most help. A liaison office cannot sign contracts, raise invoices or receive payment for services in India; doing so risks a tax finding that the French company has a permanent establishment in India. A branch can trade within its approved activities, but its profits are taxed in India at the rate for foreign companies. Both must file annual activity certificates and accounts. If the business grows, we can convert the presence into a subsidiary and close the office in an orderly way.
What clients in France should know
- A liaison office is often approved for an initial period of three years and must apply for extension or close; plan the review date from the start.
- India's tax treaty with France defines when a French company has a permanent establishment in India; a liaison office stays outside that definition only if its activities remain preparatory and auxiliary.
- French employees posted to a branch need Indian employment visas and, in many cases, Indian payroll and social security registration.
Step by step from France
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits France, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in France
Notaire or mairie certification, then apostille from the cour d'appel
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in France where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in France. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Branch & Liaison Office, or see all services for clients in France and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in France
Can a liaison office hire staff in India?
Yes, it can employ people for liaison work, and their salaries are paid from inward remittances from the French parent.
Is a branch office cheaper than a subsidiary?
Not necessarily. Approval is more involved, branch profits face a higher tax rate and activities are restricted. Many French firms find a subsidiary more flexible.
Can a French company open a project office instead?
Yes, where it has a specific contract to execute in India, a project office is a separate option with its own conditions.