What is FLA Filing in India?
Every Indian company that has received FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) or made overseas investments must file an FLA Return with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) every year. This is a mandatory compliance requirement, regardless of whether the company has outstanding foreign investment at the end of the financial year.
At The StartupLab, we help startups and companies with FLA filing services in India, ensuring error-free submissions and timely compliance with RBI guidelines.
Why is FLA Filing Important for Indian Companies?
✅ Mandatory compliance under FEMA
✅ Avoid penalties & legal consequences
✅ Transparent reporting of foreign investment
✅ Supports fundraising & investor confidence
✅ Integration with Corporate Compliance Services
✅ Expert guidance on FEMA, FDI, and RBI regulations
Our compliance experts ensure your FLA return is filed accurately, allowing you to focus on scaling your business without worrying about regulatory hurdles.
Who Needs to File FLA Return?
- Indian companies receiving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Companies issuing shares to non-residents
- Businesses making overseas investments (ODI)
- LLPs with foreign investment (as per RBI notifications)
Companies with external commercial borrowings (ECBs)
Step-by-Step FLA Filing Process
1.Check Applicability
Confirm if your company has received foreign investment or ODI.
2. Collect Data
Prepare financial statements, shareholding details, FDI inflows/outflows.
3.Download FLA Form
From the RBI portal.
4. Fill & Validate
Provide details of liabilities, assets, and foreign investments.
5. Submit Online
Send the FLA return to RBI via email portal before the due date (July 15 every year).
6. Confirmation from RBI
Record filing acknowledgment for compliance proof.
Documents & Information Required for FLA Filings
- Audited/Provisional Balance Sheet & P&L
- Foreign Investment details (FDI inflow, ODI outflow, ECB)
- Shareholding pattern
- Details of non-resident shareholders/investors
RBI reference numbers (if applicable)
Due Date for FLA Filing
The last date for filing FLA return is 15th July every year for the previous financial year.
Even if audited accounts are not ready, companies must submit based on provisional financials.
Penalty for Non-Compliance in FLA Filings
Non-filing or incorrect filing of FLA return is considered a violation under FEMA, 1999. Companies may face:
- Monetary penalties
- Legal scrutiny by RBI
- Restrictions on future foreign investments
Cost of FLA Filing Services in India
- Basic FLA Filing – ₹5,000 – ₹10,000
- FLA Filing with FEMA/FDI Advisory – ₹15,000 – ₹25,000
- Annual Compliance Package (FLA + ROC + FEMA) – Custom Pricing
Related Compliance Services
FAQs on FLA Filings in India
A: The deadline is 15th July every year for the previous financial year.
A: Yes, if foreign investment exists in previous years, FLA filing is still mandatory.
A: Yes, provisional figures can be used if audited accounts are not available.
A: Non-filing leads to penalties under FEMA and may affect foreign investment approvals.
A: We provide end-to-end FLA filing services, including document preparation, RBI submission, and compliance advisory.
Final Thoughts
FLA filing is a crucial compliance requirement for Indian companies with foreign investments. Missing deadlines or errors can attract strict FEMA penalties. With The StartupLab’s expert FLA filing services in India, you can ensure timely, accurate, and hassle-free compliance.
📞 Get in touch with us today for FLA filings, FEMA compliance, and RBI reporting services tailored for startups and growing businesses.
Testimonials
Our Happy Customers
I want to thank the entire team at StartupLab, especially their incredible founder, Ms. Shruti Aggarwal, for the fantastic job they did in completing our international company registration. The process had its challenges, but their constant support in all aspects of company registration and operations made it so much smoother.If you're looking to register a company in India from abroad, I highly recommend reaching out to StartupLab for their company registration services, consultancy, and accounting support. Choosing them was one of the best decisions we made!
The internship was very fun... We got to learn lot of things and most importantly the instructors were very supportive.
It's rare to see a team working this professionnal in every department..
My llp registration was completed by them, and a buddy suggested them because he had registered a corporation with them... it was a pleasant process. Everything was spot on... and there was excellent time management.
They have done my llp resgistration and my friend recommended me because he had registered a company from them... it was a nice experience. everything was on point... and a nice time management.
The support that this team has provided me throughout is commendable. Guidance at each step at anytime, with a polite tone and smile on the face is praiseworthy.Thank-you guys!Kudos to your entire team!!
