From a board decision to a company that can invoice usually takes about two to three months. US documents, with notary and apostille, take one to three weeks. Incorporation in India takes two to three weeks from a complete file, and the bank account takes one to four weeks, often the longest step. After the money arrives, shares must be allotted within 60 days, the foreign investment filing is due within 30 days of allotment, and the declaration of commencement of business is due within 180 days of incorporation. India is between 9.5 and 12.5 hours ahead of US time zones, so a decision made in the US morning is read in India the next day, and queries and signatures can lose a day each time. Plan for that rhythm and run the US documents, the Indian name and director steps and the bank discussion in parallel.
← Back to the complete guide: How to Set Up a Subsidiary in India from the US
Key facts
| US documents | 1 to 3 weeks with notary and state apostille, depending on the state |
|---|---|
| Director credentials and name | Days; run in parallel |
| Incorporation | 2 to 3 weeks from a complete file |
| Bank account | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Allot shares | Within 60 days of receiving the money |
| FC-GPR | Within 30 days of allotment |
| INC-20A | Within 180 days of incorporation |
| Time difference | India is 9.5 to 12.5 hours ahead of US time zones, depending on the zone and daylight saving |
The schedule
| Phase | Duration | Depends on | Parallel with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board approval and structure | 1 to 2 weeks | Board calendar and investor consents | None |
| US documents: certificate of good standing, resolutions, power of attorney, notary, apostille | 1 to 3 weeks | State office and notary | Name, DIN and bank steps |
| DIN, DSC and name reservation | Several days | Passport copies and video verification | US documents |
| Bank pre-discussion | 1 to 2 weeks to start | Beneficial ownership papers | US documents |
| Incorporation and PAN, TAN | 2 to 3 weeks | Registrar queries | Bank discussion |
| Bank account opening | 1 to 4 weeks | Bank checks | Preparation of remittance |
| Remittance, allotment and FC-GPR | 1 to 3 weeks; then up to 30 days to file | US bank speed and Indian certificates | First hires |
| Commencement and registrations | Within 180 days; earlier is better | Capital received and shares allotted | Hiring |
Week by week
- Week 1: approvals; decide the Resident Director; start the US documents and the director credentials.
- Weeks 2 to 3: notarise and apostille; name reserved; bank pre-discussion; draft charter documents.
- Weeks 3 to 5: file SPICe+ with AGILE-PRO-S; answer queries; receive the certificate, PAN and TAN; hold the first board meeting.
- Weeks 5 to 8: bank account opened; first auditor appointed within 30 days of incorporation; capital remitted from the US.
- Weeks 8 to 10: shares allotted within 60 days of receipt; FC-GPR filed within 30 days of allotment.
- By day 180: INC-20A filed; GST, payroll and other registrations completed as needed.
Working across the time difference
- Agree one weekly call at a time that works for both, for example early morning in the US and evening in India.
- Send signature packets by the end of the US day so that Indian staff can act on them at the start of the next.
- Use electronic signatures where Indian rules accept them and keep wet-ink for documents that must go to the apostille.
- Name an Indian owner and a US owner for each step, so that queries are answered within one working day.
- Remember US holidays and the Indian public holidays, which fall on different dates, when planning notary and filing dates.
What delays a US project
- State-specific apostille times. Some state offices take days and some take weeks. Ask the notary which route is fastest.
- Mismatched names. A name that differs between passport, certificate of good standing and power of attorney stops filings. See documents and apostille.
- Bank onboarding. Indian banks ask for ownership to individuals and for source of funds, and some need a director to verify identity.
- Investor consents. Venture-backed parents may need consent from investors for an overseas subsidiary.
- Late registrations. Hiring before payroll registrations are in place leads to penalties.
Deadlines that start the clock after incorporation
| Event | Deadline | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Within 30 days | First auditor appointed (Form ADT-1) |
| Money received from the US parent | Within 60 days | Allot shares |
| Shares allotted | Within 30 days | FC-GPR filed |
| Incorporation | Within 180 days | INC-20A filed |
| Financial year end of 31 March | By 30 September | Annual general meeting; director KYC |
If a customer date forces speed
If a contract needs an Indian entity by a fixed date, tell us on day one. We will sequence the steps with the longest fixed durations first, say honestly whether the date is realistic and, if not, discuss interim arrangements such as an employer of record or a local partner while the company is formed. See employer of record or subsidiary and the incorporation process.
Official sources
Check the rules at the primary sources: Income Tax Department (India), Reserve Bank of India, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Internal Revenue Service (US), Bureau of Industry and Security (US) and the Ministry of External Affairs (India).
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take a US company to set up in India?
About two to three months from board decision to a company that can invoice. Incorporation takes two to three weeks from a complete file.
What is the slowest step?
Usually the bank account and the first remittance, followed by the US notary and apostille.
How long does a US apostille take?
It varies by state, from days to a few weeks. Ask the notary which route is fastest.
When must shares be allotted?
Within 60 days of receiving the money.
When is FC-GPR due?
Within 30 days of allotting the shares.
When is INC-20A due?
Within 180 days of incorporation.
How does the time difference affect the project?
India is 9.5 to 12.5 hours ahead, so a query can lose a day. Name owners on both sides and use one weekly call.
Can some steps run in parallel?
Yes. US documents, Indian director credentials and name, and the bank discussion can all start in week one.
What if I need the company by a fixed date?
Tell us at the start so that the long steps start first and an interim arrangement can be considered.
Related guides
What It Costs a US Company to Set Up a Subsidiary in India: One-Time Charges, Annual Running Costs, Capital and the Costs Teams Forget
A budgeting guide for US companies: what the one-time set-up costs, what the subsidiary costs every year to keep compliant, how to size the capital you invest, and a template and question list for comparing quotes. The AU Corporate set-up fee is stated; other lines are framed so you can build your own estimate.
Read the guide →Incorporation process
The online steps from name approval to the certificate.
Read the guide →Documents and apostille
Preparing Delaware and other US documents for India.
Read the guide →Resident director
The 182-day rule and who can fill it.
Read the guide →Sources
Last updated 2 November 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Indian and US rules change often; confirm current requirements before acting.