Apply for a PAN Card for Foreign Entities: Documents, Fees & Process (2026)

A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is required if your incorporated business outside India plans to invest in India, open a bank account, establish a branch or liaison office, or undertake business activities that will incur tax liabilities.

After 2026, the process to apply for a PAN will change. In the case of foreign entities, the traditional Form 49AA will be removed, and these entities will apply using the newly introduced Form No. 96. The documents and the verification process will be more stringent. Any of the following will lead to a delay or an outright rejection of your application: the use of an incorrect form, the use of the correct form with incorrect documents.

This guide provides information to understand the necessity of having a PAN, how to correctly fill Form No. 96, the documents to be submitted, the fees and time involved, and the complete procedure for PAN Card for Foreign Entities for the year 2026.

Who Needs a PAN as a Foreign Entity?

A foreign company has to get a Permanent Account Number (PAN) under the Income Tax Act if they engage in activities that require tax compliance or mandatory PAN quoting.

This generally involves foreign companies that plan to:

• Invest in India: Indian Securities, Indian Mutual Funds, Indian Shares or Indian Real Estate.
• Banking & Trading: Open a bank account in India or open a Demat account in India.
• Physical Presence: Setting up a branch office, liaison office, or project office.
• Earn Taxable Income: Receives income from Indian royalties, fees for technical services, interest, dividends or capital gains.
• High-Value Transactions: Engaging in financial transactions in which quoting PAN is required as per Indian tax laws.

Applicable to all structures: This will apply to all forms of Organizations which are incorporated outside India i.e. Foreign Companies, Foreign LLCs, LLPs, Trusts, Partnerships, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) etc.

Important 2026 Update: New PAN Application Forms for Foreign Entities

If you’ve referred to older PAN application guides, you’ll probably find instructions to use Form 49AA for foreign entities. However, this information is no longer current.

From 1 April 2026, the Income Tax Department introduced a revised PAN application system under the Income-tax Rules, 2026. Instead of the earlier two-form structure (Form 49A and Form 49AA), PAN applications are now divided into four separate forms based on the applicant category. The objective is to simplify the application process and reduce errors caused by applicants selecting the wrong form.

For foreign entities, the updated forms are as follows:

Which Form Should a Foreign Entity Use?

If you’re applying for a PAN on behalf of a foreign company, LLC, LLP, trust, foundation, partnership, or any other organization incorporated outside India, you must now submit Form 96.

Using an outdated application form may delay the processing of your application or require you to submit a fresh application using the correct form. Before submitting your PAN application, verify that you’re using the latest prescribed form and following the current documentation requirements.

Since PAN application procedures can change over time, it’s also advisable to check the latest instructions on the official Income Tax e-Filing and Protean PAN Services websites before filing your application.

Or,

You can visit savetaxes.

Documents Required for Form 96 (Foreign Entities)

Before you start filling Form 96, make sure you have all the required documents ready. Missing, incomplete, or incorrectly certified documents are among the most common reasons PAN applications for foreign entities get delayed or rejected.

If any document has been issued outside India, check whether it needs to be notarised, apostilled, or otherwise authenticated based on the requirements applicable in your country.

You’ll generally need the following documents:

Certificate of Incorporation or Registration – Issued by the company registrar or relevant authority in the country where the entity is incorporated. If required, the document should be notarised or apostilled.

Registered Address Proof – Proof of the entity’s registered office address. If the entity also maintains an office or establishment in India, keep the relevant Indian address proof ready, where applicable.

Tax Identification Number (TIN) – A valid Tax Identification Number (or equivalent tax registration number) issued by the tax authority of the entity’s home country.

Proof of Date of Incorporation – A document confirming the official date on which the entity was incorporated or registered.

Authorisation Letter or Board Resolution – If someone is filing or signing the application on behalf of the entity, an authorisation letter or board resolution should clearly appoint the authorised representative.

Representative Assessee’s PAN (or other required identification) and Contact Details – If a representative assessee is appointed for Indian tax matters, keep their PAN, contact information, and supporting documents establishing their authority to act on behalf of the foreign entity.

Valid Email Address and Mobile Number – A working email ID and mobile number of the entity or its authorised signatory are required for application updates, OTP verification (where applicable), and e-PAN communication.

Important

If any supporting document is issued in a language other than English, arrange for an official English translation before submitting your application. Depending on the country where the document was issued, you may also need to have the original document or its translation notarised or apostilled.

Before filing your application, always verify the latest documentation requirements in the official PAN application instructions to ensure your application is complete and complies with the current rules.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a PAN Card for Foreign Entities

Applying for a PAN as a foreign entity is straightforward if you use the correct portal and keep your verified documents ready. Follow this official process to complete your application under the updated Income Tax Rules:

• Select the Correct Portal and Form No. 96:

Visit the official Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL PAN application website. Under the application category, strictly select Form No. 96 (specifically designated for Non-Individual Foreign Entities). Do not use the older Form 49AA, as it has been discontinued.

• Fill Out the Online Application Form:

Enter the entity’s official legal name exactly as it appears on your Certificate of Incorporation. Provide the date of incorporation, the home country’s Tax Identification Number (TIN), and the registered office address. Ensure the email ID and mobile number provided are active for official correspondence.

• Pay the Applicable International Processing Fee

After completing the form fields, pay the application fee online using an international credit card, debit card, or net banking:

• • Physical PAN Card + e-PAN (Dispatched Outside India): The fee is approximately ₹1,017 to ₹1,039 (including international shipping and GST).
  • e-PAN Only (Digital Copy via Email): The fee is approximately ₹66 to ₹72.4.
• Download and Sign the Acknowledgement Receipt:

Once your payment is successful, the portal will generate a 15-digit Acknowledgement Receipt. Download and print this form. The authorized signatory must sign it within the designated signature box, and the official stamp/seal of the foreign entity must be affixed.

• Courier the Physical Documents to India:

Online submission alone is not enough. You must courier the signed physical Acknowledgement Receipt along with the Apostilled or Indian Embassy-attested copies of your Certificate of Incorporation and TIN to the designated Protean or UTIITSL central office in India.

• Track Verification and Receive Your PAN:

Use your 15-digit acknowledgement number on the official portal to track your application status. Once the authorities verify your physical documents, the digital e-PAN will be sent to your registered email address within 7 to 10 business days. The physical card follows via international registered post.

Important Compliance Note: The name on the application form must match the Certificate of Incorporation exactly without any abbreviations (e.g., variations of “Private Limited” like “Pvt Ltd” or “P Ltd” are strictly rejected if the certificate spells it out completely).

Contact us If you need any help

PAN Card Application Fees for Foreign Entities

The fee for a PAN application depends primarily on where you want the PAN card to be delivered. This is because applications sent to an overseas address include international dispatch charges.

Generally:

• Communication address in India – A lower application fee applies, and the physical PAN card is delivered within India.
• Communication address outside India – A higher fee applies because of international handling and courier charges.

Before making the payment, verify the latest fee applicable to your application, as PAN application charges may be revised from time to time.

PAN Processing Time for Foreign Entities

The processing time depends on whether your application is complete and all supporting documents are accepted during verification.

In most cases, foreign entities receive their PAN within approximately 2 to 4 weeks after a successful application. However, the timeline may be longer if:

• Additional documents or clarifications are requested.
• Documents require further verification.
• Physical documents need to be shipped internationally.
• There are discrepancies in the information provided.

Submitting a complete application with correctly certified documents is one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary delays.

Common Reasons Why PAN Applications Get Rejected

Many PAN applications are delayed or rejected because of avoidable mistakes. Before submitting Form 96, review the following points carefully:

• The Tax Identification Number (TIN) is missing, invalid, or doesn’t match the supporting documents.
• Incorporation or registration documents have not been notarised or apostilled where required.
• The entity’s name entered in the application does not exactly match the name shown on the incorporation certificate.
• Details of the authorised representative or representative assessee are incomplete or unsupported by the required authorisation documents.
• An incorrect or outdated PAN application form has been used.

Before You Submit Your Application

A final review of your application can save considerable time. Make sure all supporting documents are complete, the information matches across every document, and the correct PAN application form has been selected. Spending a few extra minutes checking these details can help prevent delays, additional document requests, or the need to file a fresh application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can a foreign entity still apply using the old Form 49AA?

No. Following the PAN application architecture overhaul implemented on 1 April 2026, Form 49AA has been completely decommissioned. Foreign entities are now legally mandated to use Form No. 96 for all fresh PAN allotments. Submissions on outdated forms will face immediate rejection by processing agencies.

Q2. Does a foreign company need a physical office or presence in India to obtain a PAN?

No. A physical corporate presence in India is not a prerequisite. Foreign entities frequently obtain a PAN to legally invest in Indian securities or mutual funds, manage institutional Indian bank accounts, remit taxable corporate royalties, or meet standard cross-border tax compliance.

Q3. Is providing a Tax Identification Number (TIN) mandatory for Form 96?

Yes. Under Section 262 of the Income Tax Act, entering your home country’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) or an equivalent official corporate tax registration number (such as an EIN or VAT number) is a mandatory field on Form No. 96.

Q4. How can an overseas applicant track the live status of their PAN application?

Once the online form is submitted and processed, you are issued a unique 15-digit Acknowledgement Number. This tracking ID can be entered directly into the real-time status portals of Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL to view verification updates and shipping logs.

Q5. What happens if a foreign entity’s PAN application is rejected?

If an application is marked invalid due to document deficiencies, mismatched names, or lack of proper apostille attestation, the processing fee is forfeited. The entity must rectify the errors and file a fresh application with compliant documentation.

Need Professional Assistance with Your PAN Application?

Navigating cross-border documentation, multi-jurisdictional Apostille certifications, and strict naming conventions on Form No. 96 can be highly complex. Minor naming discrepancies or missing corporate stamps routinely trigger application rejections.

Our specialized corporate compliance team offers end-to-end management for international organizations:

• Comprehensive eligibility screening and legal entity structuring verification.
• Rigorous pre-submission audits of foreign registration certificates and TIN proofs.
• Complete oversight of Form No. 96 preparation and physical document dispatch to Indian authorities.
• End-to-end application tracking until your final digital e-PAN and physical card are successfully issued.

Whether you operate a Foreign Corporation, LLC, LLP, Trust, or Partnership, we streamline your Indian tax compliance setup.

Contact Our Corporate PAN Experts Today

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