GST Registration for Foreigners is the specialised registration process under the CGST Act, 2017 by which a Non-Resident Taxable Person (NRTP), Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval (OIDAR) service provider, or foreign entity supplying goods or services into India obtains a Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN). Unlike a resident taxpayer, a foreigner or a foreign company cannot quote a domestic PAN by default and is governed by a distinct set of provisions — Sections 24, 27, 2(77), and 14 of the CGST / IGST Acts — along with dedicated forms such as GST REG-09 (NRTP) and GST REG-10 (OIDAR).
Registration is mandatory — without any threshold exemption — the moment a foreign person or entity makes a taxable supply in India, sets up a temporary or occasional presence to supply goods or services, or provides online services (SaaS, digital content, advertising, cloud, e-books, streaming) to non-business Indian recipients. A foreigner typically obtains a GSTIN for a limited period (up to 90 days, extendable by another 90), deposits an advance tax equal to the estimated GST liability, and operates through an authorised signatory located in India who holds a PAN.
We offer end-to-end GST registration services for foreigners and foreign companies — covering NRTP registration under REG-09, OIDAR registration under REG-10, appointment of an Indian authorised signatory, advance tax estimation and deposit, issuance of GSTIN, LUT / export structuring, monthly GSTR-5 or GSTR-5A compliance, and extension, amendment, or surrender of the foreign GSTIN — so overseas businesses can supply into the Indian market with full tax certainty and zero compliance risk.
No Threshold
Mandatory from first supply
REG-09 / 10
NRTP & OIDAR forms
5 Days
Pre-supply application window
90 + 90 Days
Validity with extension
Laws & Frameworks We Work Under
CGST Act, 2017 – Sec 24 & 27
IGST Act, 2017 – Sec 14
CGST Rules – Rule 13 & 14
Form GST REG-09 (NRTP)
Form GST REG-10 (OIDAR)
Place of Supply Rules
FEMA, 1999
Income Tax Act – Sec 195
FAQs on GST Registration for Foreigners
Who qualifies as a Non-Resident Taxable Person (NRTP) under GST?
Section 2(77) of the CGST Act defines a Non-Resident Taxable Person as any person who occasionally undertakes transactions involving the supply of goods or services in India, but who has no fixed place of business or residence in India. Typical examples include foreign exhibitors at trade fairs, overseas consultants flying in for short projects, foreign artists performing in India, and cross-border sellers bringing in goods for limited-period sale. NRTPs are required to obtain GST registration irrespective of turnover — the threshold exemption available to regular taxpayers does not apply here.
What is OIDAR and when is OIDAR GST registration required?
OIDAR stands for Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval services — essentially digital services delivered electronically over the internet with minimal human intervention. This covers SaaS subscriptions, cloud services, streaming video and audio, e-books, online courses, mobile apps, digital advertising, and online gaming. When a foreign provider supplies OIDAR services to non-business (B2C) recipients in India, the foreign supplier must register in India under Form GST REG-10 and charge IGST. For B2B supplies to GST-registered Indian customers, the Indian recipient pays tax under reverse charge, so registration by the foreign provider is generally not required for pure B2B flows.
When should a foreigner apply for GST registration?
A Non-Resident Taxable Person is required to apply for GST registration at least five working days prior to commencing business in India. This advance window allows the tax authorities to process the application, verify the authorised signatory and documents, and generate the temporary GSTIN before the first taxable supply is made. OIDAR service providers should ideally register before starting to invoice Indian B2C customers. We help foreign clients plan the registration timeline so that no taxable supply is made before the GSTIN is in place.
Is advance tax deposit mandatory for foreign GST registration?
Yes, for Non-Resident Taxable Persons. At the time of applying for registration in Form GST REG-09, the NRTP must deposit an advance amount of tax — equivalent to the estimated GST liability for the period of registration — into the electronic cash ledger. The certificate of registration is issued only after this deposit is made. The amount is later utilised against the tax liability shown in the monthly GSTR-5 return, and any unutilised balance is refundable upon surrender of registration. OIDAR registrants under REG-10 do not pay upfront advance tax in the same manner.
For how long is a foreign GST registration valid?
The certificate of registration granted to a Non-Resident Taxable Person is valid for the period specified in the application or for a maximum of ninety days from the effective date of registration, whichever is earlier. If the foreign business requires additional time, an extension of up to another ninety days can be obtained by filing Form GST REG-11 along with fresh advance tax for the extended period. OIDAR registrations granted under REG-10 continue to remain valid as long as the foreign provider supplies services to India and files monthly returns, until voluntarily surrendered.
Does a foreigner need an Indian PAN to obtain GSTIN?
A Non-Resident Taxable Person is not required to have an Indian PAN in their own name. Instead, NRTPs can quote their tax identification number or unique identification number issued by their home country. However, they are mandatorily required to appoint an authorised signatory based in India who must have a valid Indian PAN. OIDAR service providers likewise appoint an Indian representative with PAN. We assist overseas clients in appointing the correct authorised signatory and executing the necessary power-of-attorney and board resolution.
Which GST returns must a foreigner file after registration?
A Non-Resident Taxable Person is required to file Form GSTR-5 on a monthly basis, containing details of outward supplies, inward supplies, tax paid, and closing stock, within 13 days from the end of the relevant month or within seven days of the expiry of the registration, whichever is earlier. An OIDAR service provider files Form GSTR-5A monthly, disclosing taxable B2C supplies made to Indian recipients and the IGST paid thereon. We take care of the entire return cycle, tax calculation, payment, and compliance tracking for the full period of the foreign registration.
Can a foreigner claim input tax credit on Indian expenses?
The law imposes significant restrictions on input tax credit for Non-Resident Taxable Persons. An NRTP cannot claim ITC on most inward supplies of goods or services, except for input tax on imported goods intended for sale in India. OIDAR providers registered under REG-10 are also generally not allowed ITC. Because of this, a foreigner's tax planning often focuses on pricing the Indian contract to fully recover GST from the Indian customer, accurate advance tax estimation, and minimising timing gaps between payment and registration closure.
How do we close a foreign GST registration and claim a refund?
Once the business purpose is complete — the trade fair is over, the project is finished, or the OIDAR business is being wound down in India — the foreign registration can be surrendered by filing an application in Form GST REG-16 for cancellation. Before cancellation, all pending returns must be filed and tax liabilities cleared. Any unutilised balance in the electronic cash ledger — typically arising from advance tax deposited at the time of NRTP registration — can be claimed as a refund through Form RFD-01. We manage the entire exit process, ensuring clean closure without leaving any open compliance behind.