India-UAE CEPA, combined with the Bilateral Investment Treaty that came into effect in August 2024, has created the strongest legal and commercial framework for UAE-India business in the history of the bilateral relationship.
Our India entry advisory for UAE clients serves two distinct audiences:
The compliance pathway, tax implications and FEMA requirements differ significantly between these two groups. Corporate Legit advises both — and makes sure each client is on the right track from the outset.
Rabobank and Aegon have established the Dutch financial services model in India. Dutch fintech and asset management firms are following.
ASML, NXP and STMicroelectronics define Dutch semiconductor leadership — India's chip programme creates direct collaboration demand.
Koppert, Rijk Zwaan and De Heus represent Dutch agricultural technology expertise that maps directly onto India's agri sector modernisation needs.
Paques, Van Oord and Boskalis operate in the water infrastructure space. India's water management challenge is one of its most significant — Dutch expertise is highly relevant.
Philips and DSM-Firmenich anchor the Dutch healthcare and nutrition presence. Medical technology, vaccines and nutritional science continue to see active Dutch participation.
Damen Shipyards and Vopak operate in India's port and logistics infrastructure. India's port modernisation programme creates ongoing opportunity.
Heineken and Unilever (Dutch-British origin) represent large Dutch consumer goods presence. Premium Dutch consumer brands are increasingly relevant to India's growing middle class.
Clean energy, green hydrogen and Paris Agreement collaboration between India and the Netherlands creates project pipeline for Dutch renewable technology companies.
No competitor advisory page addresses this — and it is the single most important development for UK companies considering India right now.
The UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is not simply a trade deal. For UK businesses, it creates a structurally different operating environment in India:
Duty-free market access on 99% of Indian exports to the UK — reducing input costs for UK companies sourcing from India.
Services liberalisation provisions open new pathways for UK financial services, legal, consulting and technology firms to operate in India with fewer regulatory barriers.
FDI protections are codified in the agreement — giving UK investors legal recourse and certainty previously unavailable.
Foreign investment cap in India’s insurance sector locked at 74% with a clear pathway to 100% — a specific benefit for UK financial services companies.
Mutual recognition of professional qualifications — enabling UK accountants, lawyers, engineers and architects to work within Indian operations more smoothly.
Temporary mobility provisions for UK professionals working in Indian subsidiaries — reducing visa and work permit complexity for senior staff secondments.
Corporate Legit helps UK companies structure their India entry to maximise every one of these CETA provisions — from corporate structure selection to tax treaty alignment and regulatory filings.
Private Limited Company (WOS or JV), Branch Office and Liaison Office — structure recommended based on your sector, operations and commercial model.
FDI reporting, inward remittance filings, share allotment documentation and ongoing RBI compliance.
India-UAE DTAA application, transfer pricing documentation, GST registration and filing.
For UAE companies entering India without a full finance team — we manage all financial reporting and statutory compliance.
Ongoing MCA/ROC filings, annual returns and Companies Act compliance.
GST, import/export codes, sector-specific licences and registrations.
The most preferred structure. 100% FDI is permitted under the Automatic Route in most sectors.
For specific trading activity. Subject to RBI approval and limited to permitted commercial activities.
For market research, promoting the parent company and facilitating communication.
The combination of India-UAE CEPA and the 2024 Bilateral Investment Treaty creates a two-layer advantage for UAE businesses entering India:
Corporate Legit structures UAE company entry to maximise both the commercial benefits of CEPA and the legal protections of the BIT — ensuring your India investment is both commercially efficient and legally protected.
For Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin based in the UAE, investing back in India involves a specific set of rules under FEMA and the RBI’s NRI investment framework:
Corporate Legit structures Dutch holding company arrangements for India entry correctly from the outset — preventing compliance gaps that are expensive and time-consuming to correct after the fact.
Talk to Our NRI Advisory Team
For Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin based in the UAE, investing back in India involves a specific set of rules under FEMA and the RBI’s NRI investment framework:
Corporate Legit structures Dutch holding company arrangements for India entry correctly from the outset — preventing compliance gaps that are expensive and time-consuming to correct after the fact.
Talk to Our NRI Advisory Team
Sector assessment, FDI or NRI route review and initial compliance mapping — at no charge.
WOS vs JV vs Branch analysis, or NRI investment route selection.
UAE entity documentation, apostille requirements and MCA incorporation preparation.
MCA incorporation, PAN, TAN and RBI FC-GPR filing for FDI cases.
GST registration, bank account opening and operational compliance framework.
Annual ROC filings, GST returns, income tax returns, FLA return with RBI.
Network across all major Indian commercial cities — Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad.
Senior partners with Big-4 accounting firm backgrounds in audit, tax and regulatory advisory.
End-to-end: legal, tax, secretarial and compliance under one roof.
Dedicated point of contact — no handoffs between departments or firms.
Yes. 100% FDI is permitted under the Automatic Route in most sectors. Government route approval is required in specific sectors including defence above 74%, print media and satellite communications.
The India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement reduces withholding tax rates on dividends, interest, royalties and technical service fees paid from the Indian subsidiary to the UAE parent. A valid Tax Residency Certificate from the UAE is required to claim treaty benefits.
The India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty, effective August 2024, provides UAE investors with formal legal protections in India — including protection against expropriation, fair and equitable treatment guarantees and access to international arbitration for investment disputes. This is a significant new protection for UAE capital invested in India.
Incorporation of a Private Limited Company takes 10 to 15 working days from the date all documentation is in order. Bank account activation takes a further 5 to 7 working days.
Dividends can be repatriated after payment of applicable taxes. Repatriation of capital requires FEMA compliance and RBI reporting. The applicable rules depend on the investment route and structure. Corporate Legit manages all FEMA filings and repatriation compliance.
Yes. At least one director must be an Indian resident — defined as a person who has stayed in India for a minimum of 182 days in the preceding calendar year. Corporate Legit advises on appropriate resident director arrangements.
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