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Understanding Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City

Are you looking for expert professionals to assist with the Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC GIFT City? At Enterslice, our dedicated team provides end-to-end support to ensure a smooth and compliant GIC setup in GIFT City.

Global In-house Centres (GICs) are offshore units established by multinational companies to support their internal business operations. Over time, these centres have evolved from cost-focused back-office units into strategic hubs delivering high-value financial, operational, and technology support.

The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) has been established in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) with the objective of positioning India among the worldโ€™s leading global financial centres. A GIC set up in IFSC GIFT City can provide support services directly or indirectly to entities within its financial services group, including banks, NBFCs, financial intermediaries, investment banks, insurance companies, and actuarial firms.

To regulate and facilitate such entities, the IFSCA notified the IFSCA (Global In-House Centres) Regulations, 2020, which provide a clear framework for the recognition and operation of GICs in GIFT IFSC. Under these regulations, eligible GICs are treated as financial institutions and benefit from a regulated yet light-touch compliance environment, making IFSC GIFT City an attractive destination for global enterprises.

100% Tax Exemption on Business Income for 10 to 15 Yrs

No Securities Transaction Tax, Commodity Transaction

No capital Gains Tax on Specified Securities

No custom Duty on Goods Imported into IFSC

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Protect Your Global Operations with GIC Setup in IFSC Gift City

Establish your Global In-house Centre and streamline your financial and operational processes in Indiaโ€™s premier business-friendly IFSC with GIC Setup in IFSC GIFT City. Expand efficiently with regulatory ease and strategic advantages. From incorporation to operations- everything handled under one roof.

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What are the Features for Online GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City?

The salient features for Online GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City are as follows:

Mode of Conducting Business

Setting up GIC Business in GIFT City should be a company, an LLP, a Branch, or any other form of legal entity.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant company belonging to the financial services group are eligible for GIC in IFSC. While the support services should be for the purpose of carrying out a financial service in respect of a financial product.

Permitted Currency

A Global In-House Centre can only operate freely in convertible foreign currencies. However, it may pay its administrative expenses in Indian rupees by maintaining an INR account as permitted by the concerned authority.

Permissible Activities

The GIC shall exclusively cater to its financial services group only. It is one of the key features of Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City.

Eligibility Criteria for Registering a GIC Business in GIFT IFSC

The eligibility criteria for Registering a GIC Business in GIFT IFSC are as follows:

  • The applicant company will have to exclusively cater to its financial services group only.
  • The entities within financial services group are required to be located in FATF compliant jurisdiction.
  • The applicant for GIC shall only provide services to non-resident entities only.
  • The support services provided by the applicant company must be solely for helping its financial services group deliver financial services related to financial products.
  • A GIC shall deal in freely convertible foreign currency only, though it may use Indian rupee for administrative expenses by maintaining an INR account.
  • The applicant for registering a business in GIFT IFSC for GIC must obtain approval from IFSC authority under GIC regulations.
  • Additionally, the applicant for GIC also needs to obtain approval from a Development Commissioner SEZ under SEZ Act, 2005.

Curious to Know the Benefits of Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City?

The list of benefits of Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City is as follows-

  • It provides a 100% tax holiday for 10 consecutive years out of 15 years to GIC, with the IFSC unit having the flexibility to select any 10 consecutive years out of the first 15 years.
  • GIC would be viewed as a person resident outside India with regard to the exchange control regulations.
  • The business operations will be carried out in freely convertible currencies other than the Indian rupee.
  • The cost of business operations will be less as compared to other jurisdictions.
  • It also provides a minimum alternate tax rate of 9%
  • Entities registered in IFSC also get access to a withholding tax at 4% on interest on overseas borrowings.
  • No goods and services tax payable on goods and services received by the IFSC unit
  • The IT/ITES policy of the State of Gujarat also provides fiscal benefits, which stand extended to a GIC set up in the GIFT City-IFSC.
  • No customs duty on goods imported into IFSC for business use
  • GICs would be viewed as a person resident outside India with regard to the exchange control regulations.
  • The business operations will be carried out in freely convertible currencies, other than Indian Rupees

Process of Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City

The step-by-step process of Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City is as follows:

Selection of Business Structure

A GIC may be established as a wholly owned subsidiary, a branch of a foreign entity, or any other legal form permitted by IFSCA. The selected structure determines governance norms, capital requirements, and operational flexibility and must comply with IFSCA regulations and the entityโ€™s long-term objectives.

Application for SEZ Unit Approval

The applicant must seek approval from the GIFT City SEZ Authority to operate as an SEZ unit. This approval is essential to avail tax incentives, customs benefits, and relaxed compliance applicable within the SEZ framework.

Submission of an application

Apply to the concerned Authority through the SWIT portal, along with the prescribed application fee and all required documents, in the manner specified by the Authority.

IFSCA Evaluation

Simultaneously, an application is filed with IFSCA along with a detailed business plan, capital structure, governance framework, and compliance policies. IFSCA evaluates the proposal to assess regulatory preparedness and financial soundness.

Grant of SEZ Approval

Upon satisfaction, the SEZ Authority grants formal approval to operate as an SEZ unit, enabling the GIC to proceed with regulatory licensing and operational setup.

Issuance of IFSCA Registration

After completing due diligence, IFSCA issues the Certificate of Registration, authorizing the GIC to commence permitted financial or insurance-related activities in IFSC, subject to prescribed conditions and ongoing compliance requirements.

Commencement of Operations

Once both SEZ and IFSCA approvals are obtained, the GIC may begin operations in GIFT IFSC. Continuous adherence to IFSCA regulations, reporting obligations, and governance standards is mandatory to maintain regulatory approval.

Avoid regulatory surprises with a compliance-first GIC setup model.

What are the Essential Documents for Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City?

The list of documents required for Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City is as follows:

A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or Registration of the Applicant or, where applicable, its Parent entity.

Constitutional documents of the Applicant or Parent entity, as applicable, such as the Memorandum and Articles of Association or the Partnership Deed.

An organizational chart of the financial services group, clearly indicating all entities that will be serviced by the GICโ€™s IFSC unit.

Audited consolidated financial statements of the Applicant or Parent entity for the last three financial years.

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What are the Requirements for Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City?

The list of requirements for Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City is as follows:

  • Details of the applicant entity, including its legal and corporate information.
  • Details of the parent entity, where applicable.
  • Information on the nature of businesses and activities the applicant proposes to undertake upon registration as a GIC.
  • Payment of the prescribed application fee, which is determined based on the total number of employees of the GIC.
  • Payment of an annual membership fee, generally ranging between USD 5,000 and USD 10,000, depending on the number of employees engaged.

Ongoing Compliance for GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City

The ongoing compliance for GICs business setup in IFSC Gift City is as follows:

  • Submission of annual financial statements to IFSCA.
  • Furnishing an annual list of entities serviced by the GIC.
  • List of the financial services group entities served by the IFSC GIC during the year
  • Providing an annual confirmation of compliance with the GIC Regulations.
  • Maintenance of proper books of accounts, records, and documents as prescribed under the IFSC framework.
  • Keeping accounts in the foreign currency declared by the GIC at the time of registration, which facilitates the ease of consolidation of accounts for the multinational group.
  • Confirmation of compliance with the regulations as issued under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Global In-house Centres) Regulations, 2020.
GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City

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Why Partner with Enterslice for Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City?

When it comes to Global In-house Centres Business Setup in IFSC Gift City, Enterslice is the most trusted consulting firm. Given below are the reasons why Enterslice is the most trusted partner for GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City-

  • Optimized Tax Structuring Leveraging up to 10 Years of Tax Incentives Available
  • Turnkey Solutions Covering Incorporation, Office Setup, and Much More
  • Dedicated Consultants and Compliance Experts in GIFT City
  • Our Frameworks Support Growth from 10 to 1,000+ Employees
  • Business-friendly Climate, Loved by Founders like you
  • Deep Understanding of IFSCs Regulations for GICs
  • Positive Track Record Boasting of 99% Success Rate

FAQs on Online GICs Business Setup in IFSC Gift City

The competitive tax regime offered by IFSC is as follows:

  • 100% tax exemption (for 10 out of 15 years)
  • 0% Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)
  • 0% Capital Gains Tax
  • 0% Security Transaction Tax (STT)/Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT)
  • 0% Stamp Duty
  • 0% Goods and Service Tax (GST)

The list of entities GIC in IFSC can provide support services within its financial group includes banks, non-banking financial companies, financial intermediaries, investment banks, insurance companies, re-insurance companies, actuaries, brokerage firms and funds, stock exchanges, clearing houses, depositories and custodians and various other financial services as notified by IFSCA from time to time.

The list of key fiscal incentives of setting up GIC in an IFSC is as follows:

  • 100% tax holiday for any 10 consecutive years out of the first 15 years
  • Reduced Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) at 9%
  • Concessional withholding tax of 4% on interest from specified overseas borrowings listed on IFSC
  • No GST on goods and services received by the IFSC unit
  • Additional fiscal benefits under the Gujarat IT/ITES Policy applicable to GICs in GIFT City–IFSC

GICs in IFSC GIFT City benefit from a 100% tax holiday for 10 out of 15 years, a reduced MAT of 9%, and 4% withholding tax on overseas borrowings. They are treated as persons resident outside India, can operate in freely convertible foreign currencies, and enjoy lower operating costs. Additional advantages include no GST on goods and services, no customs duty on imports, and fiscal incentives under the Gujarat IT/ITES Policy.

To register a GIC in GIFT IFSC, the applicant must exclusively serve its own financial services group, with group entities located in FATF-compliant jurisdictions, and provide services only to non-resident entities. The services must support the delivery of financial products, and transactions should be carried out in freely convertible foreign currency, with limited INR usage for administrative purposes. Further, the applicant must obtain approvals from the IFSCA under GIC regulations and from the SEZ Development Commissioner under the SEZ Act, 2005.

To set up a GIC in IFSC GIFT City, applicants must submit the Certificate of Incorporation or Registration, constitutional documents (e.g., Memorandum and Articles of Association or Partnership Deed), an organizational chart of the financial services group showing all entities to be serviced, and the last three years audited consolidated financial statements of the applicant or its parent entity.

GICs in IFSC GIFT City must submit annual financial statements and a list of entities they service, maintain proper books and records in the declared foreign currency, and provide yearly confirmation of compliance with the GIC Regulations under the IFSCA framework.

Setting up a GIC in IFSC GIFT City involves selecting a suitable business structure, obtaining SEZ unit approval from the GIFT City SEZ Authority, and submitting applications with required documents and fees via the SWIT portal. The IFSCA evaluates the business plan, governance, and compliance framework, and upon approval, issues the Certificate of Registration. Once both SEZ and IFSCA approvals are secured, the GIC can commence operations while adhering to ongoing regulatory and reporting requirements.

To set up a GIC in IFSC GIFT City, applicants must provide legal and corporate details of the entity (and parent, if applicable), outline the proposed business activities, and pay the prescribed application and annual membership fees, which vary based on the number of employees.

A GIC in IFSC GIFT City can be set up as a company, LLP, branch, or other legal entity. Eligible applicants must belong to a financial services group, providing support services solely for financial products. Operations are conducted in freely convertible foreign currencies, with INR allowed for administrative expenses, and services are exclusively for the financial services group.

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