Can an NRI be a director of an Indian company without being a resident?

Yes. An NRI can be a director of an Indian Private Limited Company or Public Company. The Companies Act, 2013 requires that every company have at least one director who has stayed in India for at least 182 days in the previous calendar year — this resident director requirement can be met by one local director while the NRI is the majority director and shareholder. The NRI director's presence is not required for day-to-day operations.

How does an NRI repatriate profits from an Indian business?

Dividends declared by an Indian company can be freely repatriated by an NRI shareholder to their overseas account after deduction of applicable dividend distribution tax (now taxed in the hands of the recipient at the applicable rate). Repatriation of dividend income is not subject to the USD 1 million annual NRO limit — it is treated as current account income and is freely remittable. The company's bank handles the repatriation on submission of prescribed forms.

NRI Investment & Business — India

NRI Business Setup in India — FDI Route, Private Limited Company and LLP

Q: Can an NRI start a business in India?

Yes. An NRI can invest in and set up a business in India through the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) route. Most sectors are open to FDI under the automatic route — no prior government approval is required. The NRI incorporates a Private Limited Company or LLP in India, invests funds from their overseas account, and the investment is reported to the Reserve Bank of India through the company's bank.

Q: What is the difference between NRI investment and FDI?

Investment by NRIs and OCI card holders is treated as domestic investment (not foreign investment) in many sectors — it falls under the 'Non-Resident Indian' category under FEMA's Schedule IV, which carries fewer restrictions than pure FDI. However, NRI investment in certain sectors and in LLPs is treated as foreign investment and follows FDI rules. The classification depends on the specific sector and structure chosen.

An NRI can invest in and operate a business in India through well-established legal structures. Most sectors are open under the automatic FDI route — no prior government approval required. The legal and compliance framework is navigable with the right structure from the outset.

FEMA 1999 | Companies Act, 2013 | LLP Act, 2008 | FDI Policy 2024

Structure Options for NRI Business Investment

Private Limited Company

Most common structure for NRI investment
Separate legal entity, limited liability
NRI can hold majority or 100% shareholding in most sectors
At least one resident Indian director required
MCA incorporation + FEMA compliance for share allotment
Best for: tech, services, manufacturing, e-commerce

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

NRI investment in LLP treated as FDI in most cases
Sectors with FDI cap restrictions apply
Flexible governance — LLP Agreement governs operation
Lower compliance burden than Pvt Ltd
At least one resident Indian Designated Partner required
Best for: professional services, consulting, small ventures

Branch / Liaison / Project Office

Foreign company extension — not a separate Indian entity
Branch Office: permitted for specific activities; prior RBI approval required
Liaison Office: no commercial activity — only representation
Project Office: for specific infrastructure/project work
Best for: foreign companies testing Indian market

Joint Venture

NRI investor partners with Indian resident company or individual
Shareholding and governance split as agreed
Shareholder Agreement essential — dispute resolution, exit rights
Can be structured as Pvt Ltd or LLP
Best for: entering regulated sectors requiring local expertise

The FDI Route — Automatic vs Government Approval

FDI in India operates under two routes:

Automatic Route: No prior approval of the Government or RBI required. The Indian company or LLP receiving investment files the prescribed forms (FC-GPR for company equity) with the Authorised Dealer bank within 30 days of allotment. This covers the vast majority of sectors — IT, manufacturing, services, retail, real estate development, healthcare, and most others.
Government Approval Route: Prior approval of the relevant Ministry is required. This covers defence (beyond 74%), broadcasting, print media, multi-brand retail, and a small number of other sectors. The application is made through the DPIIT's online FDI portal.

NRI vs FDI classification: Investment by NRIs and OCI card holders on a non-repatriable basis (through NRO account, not FCNR or NRE) is treated as domestic investment in many sectors — not foreign investment — and is therefore not subject to FDI sectoral caps. Investment on a repatriable basis (from foreign account or NRE/FCNR) is treated as FDI. This distinction significantly affects which sectors and ownership percentages are available to an NRI investor.

Incorporation Process — Private Limited Company

Name reservation: Reserve the company name through MCA's RUN (Reserve Unique Name) portal. The name must not be identical or similar to an existing company or trademark.

DSC and DIN: All proposed directors obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and Director Identification Number (DIN). For NRI directors, DSC is obtainable through Indian certifying authorities remotely.

Incorporation documents: Draft Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA). File SPICe+ form with MCA — a single integrated form covering incorporation, PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO and ESIC registration in one application.

Certificate of Incorporation: MCA issues the Certificate of Incorporation with Corporate Identification Number (CIN). The company is now a legal entity.

Bank account and share allotment: Open a corporate bank account. The NRI investor remits funds from their overseas account to the Indian company account. Shares are allotted within 60 days of receipt of remittance.

FEMA compliance — FC-GPR: File Form FC-GPR with the Authorised Dealer bank within 30 days of share allotment. This reports the foreign investment to RBI. Failure to file attracts FEMA penalties.

Repatriation of Profits and Capital

An NRI investor in an Indian company can repatriate:

Dividends: Freely repatriable after payment of applicable tax — not subject to the USD 1 million NRO annual limit. The company's bank processes repatriation on submission of prescribed forms.
Capital (on exit): Proceeds from sale of shares in an Indian company are repatriable subject to capital gains tax payment and FEMA compliance. The buyer of shares in an FDI company must obtain RBI permission if the seller is an NRI and the buyer is a resident Indian (in some circumstances).
Royalties and fees: Payments for IP licensing, technical services, and management fees to an NRI are governed by specific RBI guidelines and are generally repatriable after tax deduction at source.

Related NRI and Corporate Services

Frequently Asked Questions — NRI Business Setup

Can an NRI start a business in India?

Yes. An NRI can incorporate a Private Limited Company or LLP in India and invest through the FDI automatic route in most sectors. No prior government approval is required for automatic route sectors. The investment is reported to RBI through the company's Authorised Dealer bank using Form FC-GPR within 30 days of share allotment.

Does an NRI need a resident director for an Indian company?

Yes. The Companies Act, 2013 requires every Indian company to have at least one director who has stayed in India for a minimum of 182 days in the previous calendar year. This resident director requirement must be met at all times. The NRI can hold majority shares and be the primary director — they simply need one resident co-director to meet the statutory requirement.

What is the difference between NRI investment and FDI?

Investment by NRIs and OCI card holders on a non-repatriable basis (through NRO account) is classified as domestic investment in many sectors — not FDI — and is therefore not subject to FDI sectoral caps. Investment on a repatriable basis (from foreign or NRE/FCNR account) is classified as FDI. This distinction matters significantly for sectors with FDI caps, and for the tax treatment of subsequent income.

How does an NRI repatriate profits from an Indian company?

Dividends are freely repatriable after tax and are not subject to the USD 1 million annual NRO limit. The company's Authorised Dealer bank processes repatriation on receipt of prescribed FEMA declarations. Sale proceeds from equity are repatriable after capital gains tax payment. Royalties and service fees follow specific RBI guidelines.

Setting Up a Business in India as an NRI?

The office advises NRI investors on structure selection, FDI compliance, company incorporation, shareholder agreements and ongoing FEMA reporting. All coordinated remotely — physical presence in India is not required for incorporation. Response within one working day.

Contact the Office Corporate Law Overview