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

PAN Card for Foreign Entities is a 10-digit alphanumeric code used when you plan to invest in India, open a bank account, establish a branch or liaison office, or undertake business activities that will incur tax liabilities.

To apply for a PAN card, the applicant must select Form No. 96 instead of the old Form 49AA because, as of 1st April 2026, the Income Tax Department replaced old PAN application forms with Forms 93, 94, 95, and 96, split into categories.

The documents and the verification process are still the same. If you are using the old form, then the application will be rejected. However, Applicants applying now will no longer see the old application form. They must select and complete the new application form to proceed.

To learn more about the application process, eligibility, documents, and more, keep reading this article.  

Key Takeaways

• From 1st April 2026, the old PAN Form 49AA is replaced with the new  Form 96.
• There are two portals from which you can completed process online via the NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL website, and physical presence is not mandatory to obtain a PAN.
• The process of applying for a PAN is the same as for the old PAN card.
• The document must be correct and must be submitted in English only.
• The PAN card fee for a foreign company can range from Rs. 107 to Rs. 1,011 based on the mode of submission and the applicant’s communication address.
• The processing time for a PAN card for a foreign company can usually take 2 working days (e-PAN) and 2 additional weeks (physical PAN card).

Highlights- PAN Card for Foreign Entities

? 10-Character PAN
Unique alphanumeric PAN issued to foreign applicants.

? Form 96
New application form required for foreign entities.

? ₹1,011+ Fee
Applicable when applying with a foreign address.

? 7–15 Working Days
Estimated processing time for PAN card issuance.

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 following activities that require tax compliance or mandatory PAN quoting given below:-

• 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:

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 Card for Foreign Entities is simple when you follow the correct application process. Just complete these steps in order to ensure a smooth and hassle-free application.

• 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).

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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.

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

Disclimer: This guide is intended for informational purposes only. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and general guidance related to OCI, PAN, visa, and NRI services. It should not be considered legal, financial, tax, or immigration advice. HelpOCI and the author shall not be held responsible for any direct or indirect loss or consequences arising from decisions made based on the information provided in this guide.