Doing Business in India (2025): Key Government Portals, Policies and Practical Steps

This guide gathers the essential Indian government and departmental websites foreign companies need when starting or operating in India—covering company incorporation, tax registration and filing, labor law compliance and visa/immigration procedures. It also summarizes notable 2025 policy trends, practical step-by-step actions, and important precautions to reduce legal and operational risk.

Central portals and contacts (quick reference)

Notable 2025 policy themes and interpretations to watch

• Greater digital compliance: expansion of e‑invoicing thresholds and electronic reporting under GST and customs, making automated reconciliation more important.
• Cross‑border tax scrutiny: increased focus on Permanent Establishment (PE) risk, withholding tax compliance and transfer pricing documentation—driven by global BEPS developments and India’s evolving positions.
• Labour law consolidation at the central level continues to be interpreted alongside state statutes; enforcement varies by state, so local adaptability is critical.
• RBI and FEMA guidance on inbound investment and external commercial borrowings remain active areas—approvals and reporting requirements can change by notification.
• Immigration and work permit practice emphasizes biometric/FRRO registrations and clear proof of roles for foreign nationals employed in India.

High-profile cross-border disputes such as the Cairn and Vodafone episodes highlight the operational importance of advance tax planning, treaty analysis and robust documentation when structuring inbound transactions.

Step-by-step operations: Company registration (typical route for a foreign investor)

1. Choose entity type: private limited company, liaison office, branch office, or LLP—each has distinct tax and compliance profiles.
2. Obtain Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for proposed directors and reserve a name using MCA’s RUN or SPICe+ name reservation.
3. File SPICe+ application on the MCA portal with incorporation documents, director details, and subscription sheets; apply for DINs if required.
4. Receive Certificate of Incorporation and Corporate Identity Number (CIN); file PAN and TAN applications through the prescribed channels.
5. Open a bank account and complete RBI/FEMA filings if there is foreign investment under the automatic or government routes.

Notes (Precautions) for incorporation

• Confirm permitted activities under FDI policy and any sectoral caps before committing funds.
• Keep nominee/director commitments aligned with residency and compliance expectations—local resident director requirements exist for certain processes.
• Retain certified translations and apostilles for foreign documents when required by MCA or banks.

Step-by-step operations: Tax registration and compliance

1. Apply for PAN for the entity and obtain TAN for tax deduction at source responsibilities.
2. Determine GST registration requirement: taxable supplies in India or reverse charge obligations can trigger registration even for non-resident suppliers.
3. Implement bookkeeping and accounting to Indian standards; reconcile with GST e‑invoicing and filing cycles.
4. Prepare contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation and file country-by-country or other disclosures as per law and CBDT notifications.
5. File corporate tax returns via the Income Tax Department portal and discharge withholding obligations timely to avoid penalties.

Notes (Precautions) for tax

• Monitor treaty positions and treaty relief procedures; secure tax residency certificates where relevant to claim treaty benefits.
• Beware withholding tax rates on payments to non‑residents—obtain lower Treaty WHT certificates in advance if applicable.
• Maintain robust global documentation to justify arm’s-length pricing and mitigate transfer pricing adjustments.

Step-by-step operations: Labor and payroll compliance

1. Register with EPFO and ESIC if workforce and wage thresholds are met; obtain establishment codes.
2. Comply with state-specific Shops & Establishment registration and any local labor notices.
3. Draft employment contracts aligned with Indian labor law, including probation, notice periods and statutory benefits (leave, gratuity).
4. Implement monthly payroll processes covering TDS on salaries, employee benefits and social security contributions.

Notes (Precautions) for HR

• Classify workers correctly (employees vs contractors). Misclassification can lead to retroactive liabilities.
• Check local minimum wages, working-hour rules and retrenchment/termination procedures before workforce changes.

Step-by-step operations: Visas and immigration

1. Determine the appropriate visa: business, employment, or e‑visa depending on duration and work scope.
2. Apply through the MEA/FRRO portals and obtain sponsorship/organization letters where required.
3. Complete FRRO registration upon arrival if the stay exceeds prescribed limits and maintain visa status renewal proactively.

Notes (Precautions) for visas

• Do not allow employees to commence work without the correct visa/permit—this attracts penalties and reputational risk.
• Keep up-to-date copies of contracts, proof of qualifications and statements of duties for visa interviews and registration.

Practical compliance checklist (quick)

• Incorporation documents and CIN/PAN/TAN
• GST registration and e‑invoicing setup (if applicable)
• EPFO/ESIC registration and payroll system
• Transfer pricing policy and international intercompany agreements
• RBI/FEMA disclosures for inbound investment and repatriation
• Visa and FRRO registrations for foreign nationals

How service providers can help

Using experienced local advisors speeds processes and reduces compliance risk. For example, SailGlobal offers tailored support for foreign firms entering Indian markets—assistance ranges from entity setup to payroll and immigration support.

Final recommendations

1) Register early with the relevant portals and maintain digital records. 2) Build a compliance calendar for tax, GST, labour and statutory filings. 3) Conduct an initial legal/tax health check and update it annually. 4) Engage local counsel for complex structuring and dispute avoidance.

Stay alert to official notifications on the portals listed above—policy shifts in 2025 have emphasized digital reporting, cross-border tax enforcement and sector-specific licensing. Regularly checking MCA, CBDT, CBIC and RBI notices will help you remain compliant and avoid surprises.