PKM Advisory Service LLP is a trusted consulting firm offering detailed advisory services for GIFT IFSC entity setup and regulatory compliance in India. As experts in International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) regulations, we assist businesses in establishing and operating within GIFT City, which is India’s fastest-growing financial hub.
We are one of the pioneers and reliable service providers in the IFSCA jurisdiction since its inception. We are a one-stop solution provider for all related requirements of registration with the SEZ Authority as well as the IFSCA Authority. The IFSCA is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, as defined under Section 3 of the IFSCA Act, 2019, financial services as referred to through notifications and circulars, and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India. There is no need to seek independent approval from RBI, IRDAI, SEBI, or PFRDA to start a business.
Our services provide the entire setup for an IFSC entity, including business structuring, licensing, regulatory approvals, and other compliances. With in-depth knowledge of IFSCA regulations, we provide strategic guidance to asset managers, fintech firms, and global investors, enabling them to take advantage of IFSC’s tax and operational benefits.
At PKM Advisory Service LLP, we simplify the complexities of IFSC frameworks, ensuring a smooth market entry for businesses looking to establish a presence in India’s international financial hub. Our end-to-end solutions are designed to help clients navigate regulatory landscapes while maximizing business efficiency.
Unlock the potential of GIFT IFSC with PKM Advisory Service LLP – your trusted partner for seamless regulatory compliance and strategic growth.
Our professional services include end-to-end solutions for the incorporation and registration of companies, LLPs, branches, and trusts in the IFSC jurisdiction.
We are looking for to provide services in SEZ and IFSCA jurisdiction.
Tick mark in following options to get in touch with you. At Present, we cater our services to following financial services which are allowed to setup their offices in Gift City-IFSCA jurisdiction.
GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is India’s first operational International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The IFSC within GIFT City is a specially designated zone where financial service providers can offer financial products and financial services in foreign currencies to clients across the globe. It functions similarly to international financial hubs like DIFC (Dubai). GIFT is governed and regulated by the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), which is the unified regulator for all financial activities within this zone.
The International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) is the single unified regulator for all financial services entities operating within GIFT IFSC. Prior to IFSCA’s establishment, different regulators such as SEBI, RBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA each regulated their respective sectors. Today, IFSCA handles banking, capital markets, insurance, ship leasing, ancillary services, techfin services, bookkeeping, payroll, global treasury and fund management activities under one regulatory roof, making compliance simpler for businesses setting up in the zone.
A wide range of financial and ancillary service entities can establish operations in GIFT IFSC. This includes banks (Indian and foreign), insurance and reinsurance companies, capital market intermediaries such as brokers and exchanges, fund managers and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), fintech entities, aircraft and ship leasing companies, global in-house centres, treasury and holding companies, and IT/ITeS companies operating from the GIFT SEZ. The structure can be a subsidiary, branch office, or a newly incorporated company/LLP depending on the nature of activity and applicable IFSCA regulations.
Entities operating in GIFT IFSC enjoy several significant tax incentives. These include a 100% income tax exemption on business income for any 20 consecutive years out of the first 25 years of operations, exemption from GST on services exported from the IFSC, no Securities Transaction Tax (STT) or Commodities Transaction Tax (CTT) on transactions carried out in the IFSC, exemption from Dividend Distribution Tax, and no stamp duty on financial transactions within the zone. These benefits make GIFT IFSC one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions for cross-border financial services in Asia.
The setup process broadly involves the following steps: first, obtaining a Provisional Letter of Allotment from the GIFT SEZ developer confirming physical office space within the zone; second, submitting Form F through the SEZ Online portal to the Development Commissioner for a Letter of Approval (LOA) under the SEZ Act; third, incorporating the entity through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal with the registered office address within IFSC premises; and fourth, applying for the relevant IFSCA license or registration through the Single Window IT (SWIT) system.
Unlike a regular Indian company, an entity set up in GIFT IFSC is treated as a ‘person resident outside India’ under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act). This means the entity can freely transact in foreign currencies, provide services to non-resident clients globally, and operate under international financial regulations. It benefits from a separate regulatory framework designed specifically for cross-border financial services, along with a distinct tax structure that is far more favorable compared to what a standard domestic company would attract.
Yes. Since GIFT City’s IFSC is demarcated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), every IFSCA-regulated entity is simultaneously an SEZ unit and must comply with both the IFSCA regulatory framework and the SEZ Act, 2005 along with its rules. This includes monthly and annual SEZ compliance filings such as SOFTEX/SERF forms, Form I (Annual Performance Report), and maintaining records of foreign currency denominated export invoices and foreign exchange receipts. Engaging an experienced GIFT City advisory firm helps ensure both sets of obligations are met without gaps.
Yes, foreign companies can establish operations in GIFT IFSC, typically through a branch office or by incorporating a wholly owned subsidiary. The structure depends on the type of financial activity and the specific IFSCA regulations governing that vertical. Foreign entities must obtain the relevant IFSCA registration or license, secure an LOA from the SEZ Development Commissioner. Advisory support from an IFSCA-registered consultant is strongly recommended to navigate the cross-border regulatory requirements.
