Foreign Limited Liability Partnership Firm – Meaning & Requirements

Foreign Limited Liability Partnership
Savvy Midha
| Updated: Jan 20, 2020 | Category: Limited Liability Partnership

Foreign Limited Liability Partnership, as the name suggests, is a combination of two entities that gives benefits of Limited liability of companies and flexible nature of the Partnership. LLP combines the characteristics of the Company as well as Partnership.

The structure of LLP is available in countries other than India, such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, and Singapore. LLP Act also governs and regulates foreign LLPs. Foreign Limited Liability Partnership is formed, incorporated and registered outside India with its business registered in India.

LLP Act 2008 authorizes Central Government to make the rules and provisions for governing establishment of place of business by foreign LLPs within Indian Borders and to carry their business.

For many start-ups who have no idea of getting started with Foreign LLP registration in India, there could be a range of questions concerning the whole process and cost involved. Let us learn some information on related topic henceforth.

The procedure of Foreign LLP Registration

Foreign Limited Liability Partnership registration is an entirely online process as follows:

  • Reserve the name for foreign LLP by filing Form 25 through MCA which shall be renewed after three years through the same form.
  • LLP within 30 days of establishing a principal place of business in India shall file Form 27 to the registrar through MCA for registration of foreign LLP.
  • Following documents are required to be annexed with the application form:
  • Certificate of incorporation or such other documents defining the constitution of LLP
  • Address of the principal place of business in its incorporation country
  • Address of the deemed principal place of business
  • Details of designated partners
  • Contact details of authorized person in India who acts on behalf of foreign LLP
  • Registrar upon satisfaction shall issue Certificate of Incorporation to foreign LLP in Form 30.
  • If any alteration occurred after that, LLP should file Form 28 informing registrar about such changes:
  • Change in the principal place of business
  • Alteration in the composition of partners
  • Amendments in defining the constitution of LLP
  • Details of authorized signatory who acts on behalf of foreign LLP

Post Registration Requirement

Following are other requirements for Foreign LLP once it is registered:

  • Foreign LLP shall file Statement of Solvency with the registrar in Form 8 within 30 days of the end of 6 months of the financial year.
  • All documents shall be in English translation. However, if any document is not in English, there shall be annexed a certified translation authenticated by Advocate, Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary or Cost Accountant.
  • Foreign LLP shall state its foreign name on every invoice, publications, and notices in legitimate English characters
  • If foreign LLP ceases to have its principal place of business in India shall intimate to the registrar within 30 days of such intentions for closure in Form 29
  • Every document submitted by Foreign LLP shall be filed to Registrar having jurisdiction over New Delhi through the online portal of Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Requirements for registration of Foreign LLP

Foreign LLP Requirements
Since it is clear from the pictorial graph that LLP possesses few traits of the Company and a few features of Partnership, so it is a total win-win model for start-ups.

Following are pre-requisite for registering foreign LLP in India:

  • LLP Act 2008[1] allows 100% FDI including foreign companies and LLPs for incorporation in India. However, partners need to fulfill the relevant Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulations, guidelines of the concerned country
  • Incorporation of a private limited company or LLP in India is the most preferred entry for foreign nationals in India. However, 100% FDI through automatic route is most popular amongst NRIs and foreign nationals.
  • Opening of a branch office in India of foreign LLP or company requires prior approval of RBI and is also preferred by foreign nationals to operate in India.

Also, Read our Article: Procedure and Requirements relating to LLP Registered Office change

Limitations on LLP and its Partners

LLP Act 2008 imposes limitations upon Foreign LLP and its partners such as:

  • Partner acts as the agent of LLP in which they are the members and  not of the other partners
  • Acts of partners do not bound LLP if the partners are not authorized to act on behalf of LLP
  • LLP is liable for the wrongful  acts or omission incurred by its partners during his part of doing business of LLP
  • Entire obligations of LLP are its responsibility and not of its partners
  • In case of any fraud or willful misrepresentation, LLP and its partners are completely liable.

Foreign Investments of LLP

Let us discuss in detail about eligibility upon LLP of FDI and foreign investments:

  • Earlier FDI in LLP was permitted through the Indian Foreign Investment Regulation with several restrictions upon it such as prior approval of Government, conversion of existing Investment Company to LLP, downstream investment, resident designated partner, etc.
  • Since 2015, such restrictions were relaxed to the extent that 100% FDI was permitted under automatic route with no FDI linked conditions
  • It also further allows downstream investment by LLP with FDI in other LLP or Company
  • LLPs with Foreign direct investments are restricted to operate the following activities:
    • Real estate
    • Agricultural and plantation activity
    • Print media activity

Documents Certification

Let us understand the three categories under which LLP is registered, and their certification depends upon the country of its registration:

The country in which Foreign LLP is registered

1. Is a part of Commonwealth

2. falls outside commonwealth but within Hague Convention

3. Falls Outside Commonwealth and outside Hague Convention 

Category of Country where LLP is registered

Documents certification

Is a part of Common wealth   

  • a government official with documents custody
  • notary (public) 
  • officer of LLP

Falls outside commonwealth  but  within  Hague Convention

As  per the  rules  of such  country following Hague Convention

Falls outside commonwealth  and Hague Convention

  • government official having custody of documents
  • notary (public) 
  • officer of LLP

Winding up the Blog

Every start-up must initiate the business whether it is for individuals, investors or employees.  Business shall have a good set of strategies and plans beforehand to save it from collapsing or failures shortly. No matter what legal entity you choose, whether it is in India or foreign boundaries, one needs assistance and advisory role of experts having fluency in legal and financial matters.

Also, Read our Article: Benefits of LLP over Private Limited Company

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