A Thai citizen or a Thailand-based individual can own and direct an Indian private limited company. Foreign subscribers sign the incorporation documents in Thailand before a notarial services attorney, have them legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the Indian Embassy, unless the rules allow another route. The company needs two directors, one resident in India. Investment from Thailand is under the automatic route in most sectors, with reporting to the RBI.
- Document route
- Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Thailand all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- Companies Act 2013, FEMA 1999, NDI Rules 2019
- Minimum
- 2 directors, 2 shareholders
Company Setup for Foreigners from Thailand: how it works
We agree the shareholding, capital, directors and business objects with you, and check whether the activity needs any sectoral approval or licence. Foreign directors and subscribers provide passports and proof of address, which are notarised in Thailand and taken through the Ministry and the Indian mission. Indian citizens resident in Thailand can often have their documents attested at the Embassy directly. Each director obtains a digital signature certificate and a director identification number as part of the incorporation filing.
We file the incorporation form with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which issues the company's certificate, PAN and TAN. The Indian bank account is then opened, and capital remitted from Thailand is allotted as shares within sixty days and reported on Form FC-GPR. If the capital comes from an NRI on a non-repatriation basis, the reporting differs, so we check the source of funds first. After incorporation we help with GST registration, the import export code and the first board meeting, and set up the annual compliance calendar.
What clients in Thailand should know
- Because Thai documents follow the legalisation chain rather than an apostille, allow extra time for the Ministry and Embassy steps.
- A Thai citizen of Indian origin holding an OCI card can invest on a non-repatriation basis like an NRI, which can simplify some reporting.
- Profits paid as dividends to a Thai shareholder are taxed in India and may also be considered in Thailand if brought into the country.
Step by step from Thailand
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Thailand, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Thailand
Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
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 Thailand where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Thailand. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Company Setup for Foreigners, or see all services for clients in Thailand and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Thailand
Can all directors live in Thailand?
No. Indian company law requires one director who has been in India for a total of at least 182 days during the financial year, so plan for a resident director from the start.
Do Thai nationals need government approval to invest in India?
Generally no. Thailand does not share a land border with India, so the automatic route applies in most sectors.
Can the company be registered without visiting India?
Yes. Documents are signed in Thailand and filed online in India, and the bank account can usually be opened with legalised documents and a video KYC where the bank allows it.