Apply for FCRA registration with Legal Startup. A dedicated compliance expert checks your NGO's eligibility, prepares the FC-3A application and records, and explains the bank account and reporting rules you must follow to receive foreign contribution.
Free call & custom quote · Professional fee + government fee
FCRA registration is a certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 that lets an eligible NGO, trust, society or Section 8 company receive foreign donations and grants for its stated programme.
Last updated: October 2026. FCRA Rules, forms, eligibility guidelines and time limits can change, so we confirm the current position before filing.
FCRA stands for the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The law regulates how organisations in India accept and use foreign contribution, so that it is not used for activities harmful to national interest. FCRA registration is the approval that allows an organisation to receive such funds on a continuing basis.
Foreign contribution includes donations, grants and transfers of currency, securities or articles from a foreign source. NGOs working in education, health, rural development, social welfare, culture or religion commonly need FCRA registration to work with overseas donors, foundations and charities. The scheme is administered by the FCRA Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Applications are submitted online. For official forms, notices and guidelines, visit the MHA FCRA portal (fcraonline.mha.gov.in), the official website for foreign contribution services of the Government of India.
MHA looks at who you are, what you have done and who runs the organisation.
Who may apply.
Proof of genuine work.
People who run the organisation.
Ability to follow the rules.
Not sure whether your NGO meets the current criteria? Share your records and our experts will tell you, free of charge, whether to apply for registration or prior permission.
Why NGOs with overseas donors or partners get registered.
Receive donations and grants from foreign sources without breaching the Act.
International donors often ask for an FCRA certificate before funding Indian partners.
One certificate covers multiple donors and projects, subject to renewal.
Quarterly disclosure and the annual return build accountability with donors.
Proper registration and records lower the risk of penalties and cancellation.
Apply from anywhere in India through the MHA portal with our guidance.
From eligibility check to receiving your first foreign contribution.
Timelines depend on document accuracy, MHA queries and any inquiry. Not to scale.
We review your registration, programme, activities, accounts and office-bearers against current MHA criteria.
Constitutional documents, audited statements, activity reports and KYC are collected and checked for gaps.
The application requires bank account details, so the FCRA account position is planned before filing.
The application is submitted on the MHA FCRA portal with the required attachments and fee.
If the FCRA Wing seeks clarification or additional documents, we help you draft accurate replies.
After grant, receive foreign contribution only in the FCRA account and follow the reporting calendar.
Keep these ready to avoid delays. Our expert will confirm the exact list for your case.
The total cost depends on your organisation's records and how much preparation is needed. It generally has these parts:
MHA charges an application fee for registration, prior permission or renewal. The schedule can change, so we confirm the current amount before filing.
Our fee depends on the case, the quality of existing records and the filings required. Call free for a custom quote before you pay anything.
Account opening, audit and any record clean-up are separate and depend on your bank and auditor.
Annual FC-4 filing, renewal and other compliance are quoted separately. We share a clear, itemised quote before you begin. Get your free quote →
Choose the situation that matches your NGO, or call free for a custom quote.
NGOs applying for the first time.
Registration plus the first year of FCRA compliance.
One-time funding, expiring certificates or updates.
Our professional fee is quoted after a free call. Government fee is separate and set by MHA. Approval is decided by MHA and is never guaranteed. Not sure which option fits? Ask for a free consultation.
A quick view of the three main routes under the FCRA.
| Route | Suitable for | Funding covered | Validity | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCRA registration | Eligible NGOs with a track record | Multiple donors and projects | 5 years | FC-3A |
| Prior permission | Organisations not yet eligible for registration | One specific donor, amount and purpose | Specific to that contribution | FC-3B |
| Renewal | NGOs with an expiring certificate | Continues existing registration | 5 years from renewal | FC-3C |
Most FCRA problems come from poor records and missed deadlines, not from the application itself.
The certificate is the start. FCRA organisations have continuing reporting duties.
Receive all foreign contribution only in the designated FCRA account and keep it separate from other funds.
Publish the quarterly statement of foreign contribution received, as the rules require.
File the annual return with audited statements of foreign contribution received and used.
Maintain separate books, stay within the cap on administrative expenses and follow the rules on transfers to other organisations.
Apply for renewal in time, and intimate changes in office-bearers, address or bank details.
Quick answers on FCRA registration in India.
FCRA registration is a certificate issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. It allows an eligible NGO, trust, society or Section 8 company to receive foreign contribution for its stated cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme.
Any organisation in India that wants to receive foreign donations or grants, whether in cash or kind, needs either FCRA registration or prior permission. Individuals cannot register, and certain categories such as political parties and election candidates are barred from receiving foreign contribution.
The applicant must be a registered trust, society or Section 8 company with a definite programme, a track record of reasonable activity in its field, and office-bearers who are not disqualified. MHA guidelines also set conditions on years of existence and amounts spent on activities. We check the current criteria against your records before filing.
Registration is applied for in Form FC-3A on the MHA FCRA portal, with the organisation's registration documents, activity and financial records, and office-bearer details. After online submission, the application is reviewed by the FCRA Wing, which may seek clarifications or conduct an inquiry.
Registration is a standing certificate valid for five years, allowing you to receive foreign contribution from multiple donors. Prior permission is a one-time approval for a specific donor, amount and purpose. It is meant for organisations that are not yet eligible for registration.
Typically the registration certificate and constitutional documents, PAN, identity details of all office-bearers, audited financial statements, annual reports of activities, proof of the registered office, and a bank account declaration. The exact list depends on your organisation and the current MHA requirements.
An FCRA registration certificate is valid for five years. It can be renewed by applying in the prescribed renewal form before expiry. Applying on time matters, so we track your expiry date and prepare the renewal early.
Yes. Foreign contribution must be received in a designated FCRA account, which under current rules is opened at the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch. Funds can then be moved to a utilisation account for spending. Rules on accounts are updated from time to time, so we confirm the current position.
The cost has two parts: the government application fee and the professional fee for preparation and filing. The professional fee depends on your documents and how much compliance work is needed, so we share an itemised quote after a free call.
Key obligations include receiving funds only in the FCRA account, publishing quarterly receipts, filing the annual return in Form FC-4, maintaining separate accounts and records, limiting administrative expenses to the prescribed cap, and intimating changes in office-bearers or details. Rules and time limits can change, so we provide a current compliance calendar.
No. Accepting foreign contribution without FCRA registration or prior permission is a violation of the Act and can lead to penalties and action against the organisation. Wait until the certificate or permission is granted, or take advice before accepting any overseas funds.
Planning to apply for FCRA registration? Speak to our compliance expert today – the consultation and the quote are free.
Tell us what you need and our team will get back to you with the right guidance.
Legalstartup ke certificates, registrations aur recognitions jo hamari credibility dikhate hain.
"Explore how Legalstartup has helped businesses reach new heights as their trusted partner."
Thousands of businesses and founders trust LegalStartup.