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FCRA Registration

The Home Ministry licence needed before accepting any foreign donation.

Reviewed by CA Hitendra Pal Singh· company law, tax and complianceLast reviewed

An NGO may not receive foreign contribution without FCRA registration or prior permission. Registration needs three years of existence, a spend on its objects over that period, a Darpan ID, and a designated FCRA account at SBI’s New Delhi Main Branch. It is valid five years, carries an annual return, and the Ministry’s scrutiny is real — most refusals are for weak activity records, not bad intent.

What is included

  • Eligibility review — three years, spend threshold, Darpan, 12A
  • SBI FCRA account opening coordination
  • Form FC-3A application with the activity report
  • Ministry query responses
  • Compliance calendar for FC-4 and renewal

What we will need from you

  • Registration certificate and trust deed or MOA
  • 12A and 80G certificates and Darpan ID
  • Audited accounts and activity reports for the last three years
  • PAN of the organisation
  • Aadhaar, PAN and photographs of all office bearers
  • SBI FCRA account details

How long it takes

Application in 10–15 working days; Ministry processing typically 4–8 months.

Timelines are typical, not guaranteed. Government processing times vary, and a query from the officer adds to them. We will tell you where yours stands.

Common questions

What is the spend threshold?

A minimum spend on the organisation’s core activities over the last three years, excluding administrative expenses. We check the current figure in the FCRA Rules against your accounts.

We have a one-off foreign grant coming — is there a faster route?

Prior permission for a specific donor and amount, on the same eligibility except the three-year rule.