Partner in Success
Home / India Entry / Liaison Office
A representative, non-commercial presence to understand and engage the Indian market.
Non-commercial by design
Research, promotion, coordination
No trading, invoicing or revenue
Non-commercial presence
Activity limits apply
Reporting and compliance
A liaison office is typically used by a foreign company that wants a representative presence in India without direct commercial or revenue-generating activity.
It is a limited-purpose structure that can support communication, market research, promotion, coordination, and representing the foreign parent. It cannot be used for trading, invoicing, selling, manufacturing, consulting revenue, or commercial execution. Companies often choose it for simplicity, then find their plans need a subsidiary, branch office, or project office.
Foreign companies exploring the Indian market before committing.
Groups that need only communication, coordination, or market research.
Parent companies not yet planning to earn revenue in India.
Expenses are generally met through inward remittances from the foreign parent via permitted banking channels. The office must stay within its approved scope and keep records showing it has not moved into commercial operations.
Eraqus helps assess suitability, activity restrictions, documentation, approvals, annual reporting, funding discipline, and compliance.
Strict limits: no trading, invoicing, or revenue in India.
Funding only through inward remittances via permitted banking channels.
Records proving the office stays within scope.
Annual reporting and compliance obligations.
Whether the real plan needs a subsidiary or branch office instead.
A liaison office suits companies that want to understand the market, engage customers or partners, coordinate with local stakeholders, or maintain a non-commercial base. It should not be used to sell, invoice, execute contracts, or earn revenue in India.
No. It is representative only and cannot trade, invoice, sell, manufacture, or conduct other commercial activity. Revenue requires a different structure.
Mainly through inward remittances from the foreign parent via permitted banking channels, with records kept to show it stays within scope.
A direct India presence extending the foreign parent, for defined permitted activities.
A long-term platform with ownership control for foreign parents.
Describe where your business stands and what you plan next. The team will help you understand the structure, documentation, and compliance that fit your situation.
connect@eraqus.com · +91 99588 39399