What are the 7 types of companies in India?
India's Companies Act recognizes seven primary company types: (1) Private Limited Company—most popular for foreign investors with minimum 2 directors and 2 shareholders, limited liability, and separate legal entity status; (2) Public Limited Company—can raise capital publicly with minimum 7 shareholders and 3 directors; (3) One Person Company (OPC)—single promoter entity ideal for solo entrepreneurs; (4) Section 8 Company—for non-profit organizations pursuing charitable objectives; (5) Producer Company—for agricultural producers and farmers; (6) Unlimited Company—rare structure without liability limitations; (7) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)—hybrid combining partnership flexibility with limited liability protection. For Singapore businesses, Private Limited Company structure typically offers optimal balance of liability protection, operational flexibility, and foreign investment compliance.
How much will it cost to register a company in India?
Company registration costs in India vary based on authorized capital, business structure, and professional fees, but VJM Global offers the most affordable setup costs in the market. For a standard Private Limited Company with ₹1 lakh authorized capital, total costs typically range from ₹15,000-₹25,000 including government fees (ROC fees, stamp duty), Digital Signature Certificate, Director Identification Numbers, name reservation, incorporation certificate, and PAN/TAN registration. Additional costs may include registered office address rental, compliance packages, and GST registration. Foreign companies establishing branch or liaison offices face additional approval fees from Reserve Bank of India. Our transparent pricing structure eliminates hidden charges—we provide detailed cost breakdowns during initial consultation, ensuring Singapore entrepreneurs can budget accurately for their India market entry.
Can Singapore citizens own 100% equity in an Indian company?
Yes, Singapore citizens and companies can own 100% equity in Indian companies under India's automatic FDI route for most sectors. However, ownership limits vary by sector—certain industries like defense, broadcasting, insurance, and multi-brand retail have specific FDI caps or require government approval. Singapore benefits from the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India, which facilitates smoother investment processes. Under FEMA regulations, foreign investors must comply with pricing guidelines, reporting requirements to RBI, and sectoral conditions. VJM Global conducts thorough sectoral analysis to determine applicable FDI limits, advises on optimal shareholding structures considering repatriation benefits under India-Singapore DTAA, and ensures complete compliance with Foreign Exchange Management Act throughout the investment lifecycle.
How long does it take to register a company in India from Singapore?
The typical timeline for registering an Indian company from Singapore ranges from 15-30 days for straightforward Private Limited Company incorporation under automatic FDI route, assuming all documents are in order. The process includes obtaining Digital Signature Certificates (2-3 days), name approval from ROC (1-2 days), incorporation filing with MoA and AoA (7-10 days), and PAN/TAN registration (3-5 days). For structures requiring RBI approval like branch or liaison offices, timelines extend to 8-12 weeks. Document preparation and notarization from Singapore authorities may add additional time. VJM Global expedites the process through our established relationships with regulatory authorities, pre-verified documentation checklists, and parallel processing of multiple approvals, often achieving incorporation in minimum timeframes while ensuring complete regulatory compliance.
What documents do Singapore investors need for India company registration?
Singapore investors require several notarized and apostilled documents for Indian company registration: passport copies and address proofs of all proposed directors and shareholders, bank statements or financial documents proving investment capability, No Objection Certificate from parent company (if corporate investor), Board Resolution authorizing India investment, Certificate of Incorporation of Singapore entity, Memorandum and Articles of Association of parent company, and latest audited financial statements. For Indian operations, you'll need proof of registered office address in India (rental agreement or ownership documents with NOC from property owner), director photographs, and utility bills for address verification. All foreign documents must be notarized in Singapore and apostilled as per Hague Convention. VJM Global provides detailed checklists, reviews documents for compliance, and coordinates with Singapore authorities to ensure smooth documentation processes.
What ongoing compliance requirements apply to Singapore-owned Indian companies?
Singapore-owned Indian companies face comprehensive ongoing compliance obligations including annual ROC filings (Annual Return and Financial Statements within 30 days of AGM), quarterly GST returns and annual GST audit if turnover exceeds thresholds, corporate income tax returns (due by September 30), Transfer Pricing documentation if transactions with Singapore parent exceed specified limits, Foreign Currency-Convertible Bonds/Foreign Liabilities reporting to RBI, Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA Return), director KYC updates, and maintenance of statutory registers. Private Limited Companies must conduct mandatory annual audits regardless of turnover. Non-compliance attracts penalties ranging from ₹1,000 per day to criminal prosecution for serious violations. VJM Global's compliance management services ensure timely filings, maintain statutory registers, coordinate with auditors, and provide advance compliance calendars so Singapore entrepreneurs never miss critical deadlines.
Which Indian business structure is best for Singapore companies—subsidiary, branch, or liaison office?
The optimal structure depends on business objectives and operational requirements. Subsidiary (Private Limited Company) offers maximum operational flexibility—can undertake any lawful business activity, generate profits in India, hire unlimited employees, and provides complete liability protection with separate legal entity status. It's ideal for long-term market presence with significant operations. Branch Office suits companies with existing operations seeking to undertake commercial/trading activities in India—shares parent company's legal identity, requires RBI approval, and profits are repatriable. Liaison Office (representative office) is purely for liaison activities—cannot undertake commercial operations or generate revenue, requires RBI approval, and serves as market research or coordination hub. Most Singapore businesses prefer subsidiary structure for its operational freedom and favorable tax treatment under India-Singapore DTAA. VJM Global conducts detailed business model analysis, tax impact assessment, and repatriation planning to recommend the structure that optimizes your India strategy.
How does VJM Global support Singapore businesses after company registration?
Our engagement extends far beyond registration—we provide comprehensive post-incorporation support including corporate bank account opening assistance with major Indian banks, GST registration and ongoing GST compliance management, establishment of accounting and bookkeeping systems using cloud-based platforms, monthly financial reporting and MIS preparation, payroll processing and HR compliance for Indian employees, annual statutory audit coordination, income tax return preparation and tax planning, ROC annual filing management, FEMA compliance for fund transfers and reporting, secretarial services for board meetings and shareholder resolutions, and ongoing advisory for business expansion or restructuring. Through our PEO services, we can hire and manage employees on your behalf while you establish operations. Our 24/7 support model ensures Singapore entrepreneurs have immediate access to Indian compliance expertise, with dedicated relationship managers providing personalized attention throughout your India journey.