India offers foreign businesses a large and growing market, a deep pool of skilled talent and an expanding manufacturing and services ecosystem. Entering India successfully, however, depends on choosing the right entry route at the start — one that fits your business model, your investment plans and the regulatory framework that applies to your sector.
At Lawnut, we help overseas businesses evaluate their options and plan an entry into India that is compliant, tax-efficient and practical to operate from day one.
Choosing the Right Entry Route
Every business is different, and so is the right structure for it. We assess the options available under Indian law and help you select the one best suited to your objectives:
- Wholly Owned Subsidiary: An Indian company fully owned by the foreign parent, subject to the sectoral conditions of India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy.
- Joint Venture: Partnering with an Indian business to combine local market knowledge with your products, technology or brand.
- Liaison Office: A representative presence for market research and promotion, without undertaking any commercial activity in India.
- Branch Office: A presence to carry out the permitted activities of the parent company in India.
- Project Office: A presence set up specifically to execute a defined project in India.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): A flexible structure available for foreign investment in permitted sectors.
- Employer of Record (EOR): Hiring talent in India without setting up an entity, to test the market before a full commitment.
Our India Entry Services
- Understanding your business model, goals and timelines for India.
- Comparing the available entry routes from a regulatory, tax and operational perspective.
- Reviewing the applicability of the FDI policy, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and sector-specific approvals.
- Advising on the tax structure, including permanent establishment exposure, transfer pricing and treaty considerations.
- Incorporation and registration of the chosen entity, including PAN, TAN, GST and other registrations.
- Assistance with bank account opening and the regulatory reporting of foreign investment.
- Post-entry support covering accounting, payroll, taxation and corporate secretarial compliance.
Why Plan Your Entry With Lawnut
- One partner for the full journey: From the first feasibility discussion to routine compliance after set-up.
- Integrated expertise: Tax, regulatory, corporate law and accounting advice working together.
- Practical approach: Solutions that are designed to be run smoothly by your team on the ground.
Contact us to discuss your plans for India and the entry route that best fits your business.