Understanding Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City

Do you want to diversify your investments domestically in India? To promote global financial activities, the Government of India has established GIFT City, which stands for Gujarat International Finance Tec-City. With its strategic location and world-class infrastructure, GIFT City has emerged as an ideal destination for High Net-Worth Individuals (โ€œHNIsโ€) and family offices seeking access to a wide range of financial services in India. Family investment funds (FIFs) registration in Gift City with Enterslice.

To set up a Family Investment Fund (FIF), it is mandatory to obtain Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City in accordance with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022, commonly known as the FME Regulations.

A Family Investment Fund refers to a self-managed fund that pools investments exclusively from a single family and is established under the FME Regulations. Upon obtaining an FIFs Certificate in GIFT City, families can enjoy several attractive tax benefits, including a tax holiday where business income is tax-free for up to 10 years within a 15-year period, Nil Minimum Alternate Tax (โ€œMATโ€), and a 10% tax rate on dividends.

A Family Investment Fund refers to a self-managed fund that pools investments exclusively from a single family and is established under the FME Regulations. Upon obtaining an FIFs Certificate in GIFT City, families can enjoy several attractive tax benefits, including a tax holiday where business income is tax-free for up to 10 years within a 15-year period, Nil Minimum Alternate Tax (โ€œMATโ€), and a 10% tax rate on dividends.We at Enterslice assist families at every stage of obtaining FIFs Registration in GIFT City, ensuring seamless compliance with IFSCA regulations and a smooth fund setup process.

Top Choice for HNIs and Family Offices

Favourable Tax Regime

Liberal Regulatory Environment

Self-managed Fund

Trademark Registration over all 7 Emirates

Diversified Portfolio

Strong Infrastructure

Structure & Grow Your Family Wealth with Online FIFs Registration in GIFT City

Set up a Family Investment Fund (FIF) in GIFT City to manage your familyโ€™s investments through a regulated, tax-efficient, and globally connected financial hub. Enterslice helps you understand the IFSCA framework with end-to-end support in online FIFs registration in GIFT City, ensuring smooth registration and ongoing compliance.

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What are the prerequisites for Online FIFs Registration in GIFT City?

The prerequisites for online FIFs registration in GIFT City are as follows:

Principal officer (PO)

PO must be appointed by the applicant, who shall be responsible for fund and risk management, along with compliance. It should be based in IFSC and have a relevant professional qualification or postgraduate degree or diploma, and at least 5 years of experience in securities markets or financial products (up to 2 years of consultancy experience allowed). While any change in PO must be intimated to IFSCA.

Other Personnel

The FIF must appoint an adequate staff, commensurate with the scale and nature of its operations.

Fit and Proper criteria

The applicantโ€™s PO, directors or partners, key managerial personnel and controlling shareholders must be fit and proper with integrity, good reputation and honesty and must not suffer from disqualifications such as criminal convictions, regulatory restrictions, insolvency, wilful default or other IFSCA-specified disqualifications.

Infrastructure

The applicant FIF must have adequate, dedicated and secure office infrastructure, equipment, and communication facilities, and manpower, proportionate to its IFSC operations, while accessible to only authorized personnel.

Validity Registration

The FIFs Certificate in GIFT City remains valid for the period as specified by IFSCA unless suspended, cancelled, or surrendered and accepted by IFSCA.

What are the Benefits of Online FIFs Registration in GIFT City?

The list of benefits of Online FIFs Registration in GIFT City is as follows:

Progressive Regulation

Progressive Regulation

A GIFT city facilitates with a modern and transparent regulatory framework, streamlining business operations and safeguarding investor interests. Unlike traditional regulations, IFSCA allows family offices in GIFT city to make overseas direct investments without the prerequisite of a profitable track record spanning three years. It is one of the merits of family investment funds (FIFs) registration in Gift City.

GIFT City Advantages

GIFT City Advantages

FIFS license in GIFT City offers the Indian High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) an unprecedented access to diverse domestic financial services, reducing reliance on international transactions. Its strategic location, sharing a close proximity with cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai, ensures a seamless connectivity to global markets with significantly lower administrative and operational costs, unlike foreign jurisdictions.

Tax Concessions

Tax Concessions

A GIFT city is within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), thus providing substantial tax benefits and exemptions, such as 100% income tax exemption for up to ten consecutive years within a 15-year period, depending upon the nature of investments meeting the requisite business criteria. Additionally, GST exemptions make it more attractive, especially for investments like global PE/VC funds that have longer exit timelines.

Diversified Portfolio

Diversified Portfolio

FIFs Registration in GIFT City helps to build a diversified portfolio, reaching beyond domestic assets to include a variety of international options like listed and unlisted securities and even tangible assets like real estate, bullion and art. Overall, FIF in Gift City can leverage investments.

Process of Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City

The step-by-step process of Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City is as follows:

Apply for Name Approval

Firstly, if the applicant FIF is in the form of a company or LLP, then such a company or LLP shall first apply for name approval with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Provided the proposed name must include the โ€œIFSCโ€ word as part of the same.

Choosing Office Space

In this stage, the applicant needs to identify the office space in GIFT for the Provisional Letter of Allotment (PLOA) for office space.

Obtain Provisional Letter of Allotment (PLOA)

For obtaining Provisional Letter of Allotment (PLOA) from Co-Developer in GIFT SEZ, information like name, brief profile of existing entity, company postal address, company website, point of contact name, designation, IFSC activity details, and name approval letter needs to be submitted.

Application to ROC

After obtaining the Provisional Letter of Allotment (PLOA), an application needs to be made to the ROC for incorporation of the proposed entity (in case the FIF is set up as a company or LLP).

Obtaining SEZ Approval

An application needs to be filed with the office of D.C.in Form F for the SEZ approval. The form needs to be prepared and submitted online via the official website. Along with the printout of the online submitted Form F, the entity is required to submit documents like a Demand Draft of Rs. 5,000/- in favour of the REGIONAL PAY AND ACCOUNTS OFFICER MUMBAI payable at Gandhidham, a copy of the Provisional letter of allotment issued by the Co-developer, a brief project report, etc.

Obtaining Certificate of Registration (CoR) from IFSCA

To set up a Family Investment Fund (FIF) as an Authorized FME, an application is emailed to IFSCA with incorporation documents, audited financials, net-worth certificate, key personnel details, KYC documents, SEZ approval (if any), declaration, and proof of USD 2,500 application fee. The Certificate of Registration (CoR) is typically issued within 45 days.

Still confused about the process of family investment funds (FIFs) registration in GIFT City?

What are the Documents Required for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in Gift City?

The list of documents needed for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) registration in GIFT City is as follows:

Entity Incorporation & Constitutional Documents

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Self-certified PAN of the Entity
  • MOA for Company
  • AOA for Company
  • LLP Agreement for LLP
  • Project Report / Business Plan

Board/ Partner Approvals

  • Certified Board/Partner Resolution Authorizing:
    • Setting Up the IFSC/SEZ Unit
    • Appointment of Authorized Signatory
  • Authorization Letter for the Applicantโ€™s Representative

Management & Control Details

  • List of Directors / Partners
  • Self-certified PAN of Directors / Partners
  • Passport-size photographs of Directors / Partners
  • KYC documents of:
    1. Directors
    2. Key Managerial Personnel (KMPs)
    3. Persons in Control
    Relevant employees in IFSC (PAN + Address Proof)

Financial Documents

  • Audited Financial Statements for the last 3 financial years
  • Net Worth Certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant
  • Tax Identification document (if applicable)

Government Fees and Allotment

  • Demand Draft (DD) of โ‚น5,000 in favour of Regional Pay & Accounts Officer, Mumbai, payable at Gandhidham
  • Proof of payment of the USD 2,500 application fee to IFSCA
  • Provisional Allotment Letter issued by the Co-developer
  • SEZ Approval Copy (if already available)

Eligibility Criteria for FIFS license in GIFT City

The eligibility criteria for the FIFS license in GIFT City are as follows:

  • FIF needs to maintain a minimum corpus of USD 10 million within a period of three (3) years from the date of obtaining the certificate of registration.
  • The family investment fund could be open-ended or closed-ended, depending on the requirements.
  • FIF in GIFT City may undertake all activities related to managing the family investment fund.
  • FIF may borrow funds or engage in leveraging activities as per its risk management policy.
  • Only a single family can invest in FIF, and no individuals or entities outside of the single family.
  • A single family member can invest in FIF through LRS (Liberalized Remittance Scheme), i.e., USD 250,000 per financial year per member with 20% TCS, or through entities where the single family has a substantial economic interest by way of ODI, as per RBI guidelines.
  • FIF needs to be registered with IFSCA as an Authorized Fund Management Entity (FME).
  • FIF can be incorporated in the form of a Company, Trust, or LLP.

Know the Regulatory Framework for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City?

The regulatory framework for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City is as follows:

  • The FIFs can pool money from a single family and take the form of a company, LLP, or contributory trust.
  • A minimum corpus requirement of USD 10 million within 3 years of registration ensures substantial investment capacity.
  • FIF must set up a physical office, highlighting the importance of regulatory substance.
  • FIFs in GIFT City offer tax advantages, investment flexibility, and a robust regulatory framework, making them an attractive choice for HNIs and family offices.

What are the Permissible Activities of the FIFS License in GIFT City?

The permissible activities of FIFs license in GIFT city are as follows:

  • Securities issued by unlisted entities
  • Securities listed or proposed to be listed on stock exchanges and other investment schemes in IFSC, India, or foreign jurisdictions
  • Money market instruments, including debt securities and derivatives
  • Asset-backed or mortgage-backed securitized debt instruments
  • Units of mutual funds and alternative investment funds in India and foreign jurisdictions
  • Investments in Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
  • Physical assets, such as real estate, bullion, art, etc.
  • Any other securities or financial products as may be specified from time to time
FIFS License in GIFT City

Accelerate Legacy Wealth with FIFs Certificate in GIFT City

Structure over Rs 500 crore family capital smartly with an expert-led FIFs certificate in GIFT City.

  • 100% Digital Setup, No Physical Visits
  • Tax-efficient Capital Structuring for HNIs

Why Trust Enterslice for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City?

With years of experience in IFSCA regulatory frameworks, Enterslice offers end-to-end expertise for setting up Family Investment Funds (FIFs) in GIFT City. We simplify the complex regulatory and compliance process, enabling family offices and HNIs to focus on strategic wealth management. Hereโ€™s why Enterslice should be your preferred partner for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) registration in GIFT City:

  • Expert advisory on structuring FIFs under IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2022
  • End-to-end assistance for IFSCA registration and approvals
  • Support in selecting the right entity structure (Company, LLP, Trust, etc.)
  • Preparation and filing of fund documents, policies, and declarations
  • Dedicated network of legal, tax, CA, and compliance professionals
  • Regulatory liaison with IFSCA, GIFT City, and SEZ authorities
  • Assistance with minimum corpus planning and eligibility compliance
  • Post-registration support, including ongoing compliance and reporting
  • Advisory on tax benefits and incentives available in GIFT City
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
  • Timely updates and end-to-end client support throughout the process
  • Customized solutions for family offices, HNIs, and ultra-HNW families

FAQs on Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City

A regular family office is a broader type of entity managing wealth for a single or multiple families. On the other hand, a Family Investment Fund (FIF)within the IFSC is a self-managed fund that pools money only from a single family and is registered with the IFSCA as an Authorized Fund Management Entity (FME) in order to invest in various asset classes globally.

Some of the primary benefits for a wealthy Indian family to set up a FIF in the IFSC, particularly in GIFT city, are a favourable tax regime, a liberal regulatory environment overseen by IFSCA and the ability to manage wealth and invest globally from the Indian jurisdiction that is treated as non-resident under FEMA.

The eligibility criteria for a family to establish a FIF in the IFSC are that the entity must pool money only from a single family, register with IFSCA as an authorized FME, maintain a minimum corpus of USD 10 million within 3 years and designate a Principal Officer based out of the IFSC with relevant qualifications and experience.

A resident individual can invest in a FIF under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which currently has a limit of USD 250,000 per person per financial year. On the other hand, Indian entities (unlisted companies, LLPs, firms) can invest up to 50% of their net worth under Overseas Portfolio Investment (OPI) guidelines. Further units in an IFSC are treated as non-resident under FEMA.

No, FIF cannot raise funds from outside the single family; however, it can share economic interest (up to an aggregate of 20% of FIFโ€™s profits) with its employees, directors, the FME or other service providers to reward them or align their interests with the FIF, provided these external persons are informed of the investment risks.

The tax benefits for Family Investment Funds (FIFs) Registration in GIFT City are a tax holiday, where business income is tax-free for up to 10 years within a 15-year period, domestic companies opting for a concessional tax regime pay no MAT, and non-residents receive dividends at a favourable tax rate.

The process of setting up FIF in IFSC comprises: firstly, identifying the office space and accordingly obtaining a letter of approval, followed by approaching SEZ approval, entering into a lease agreement, and a registered deed shall be submitted accordingly, lastly Approach IFSC for approval for setting up FIF as an Authorized Fund Management Entity (FME).

The features of Family Investment Funds (FIFs) registration in GIFT City are as follows:

  • The IFSCA FME regulations are applicable to all FIFs
  • The FIF should be owned and controlled by family members and other persons as appointed by the family
  • The Family Investment Fund could be open-ended or closed-ended, depending on the family's requirements

An FIF should have and maintain at least corpus of USD 10 million within 3 years from the date of obtaining the Certificate of Registration. Also, the FIF could be open-ended (does not have a specified maturity period) or closed-ended (period of maturity of the scheme is specified), depending upon the requirements of the family.

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