Can NRIs or foreigners be directors in an Indian company?

Name: Vijay R Singh & Co.
Address: Office No. 4, Vishal CHSL, D Wing, Sir Mathuradas Vasanji Road, Azad Nagar, Opp. Andheri Gymkhana, Andheri East, Maharashtra, 400069, IN
Telephone: +91 98607 23959

CA Vijay R Singh, FCA
Chartered Accountant · ICAI M.No. 153926 · FRN 136869W

Short answerYes — NRIs and foreign nationals can be directors and shareholders of an Indian company. The only condition is that at least one director must be resident in India. Foreign directors need a DIN and notarised/apostilled identity documents, and any foreign investment must follow FEMA reporting.

Allowed, with one resident director

A company can have majority or even all foreign shareholders, but must keep one India-resident director.

FEMA reporting for the investment

Foreign shareholding triggers FEMA pricing and FC-GPR reporting.

NRI Taxation

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This answer is general information for NRIs, not tax advice. Tax rates, thresholds and forms change with each Finance Act — please confirm the current position for your own facts, or speak to us, before acting.