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Foreign Director Appointment

Appoint a Foreign Director with additional document requirements (passport, apostille, FEMA compliance). Foreign Director Appointment takes 9 steps over about 111 days and is filed with the ROC on DIR-12.

9 steps~111 days start to finishfiles DIR-12

Last updated: 10 August 2026

What if it’s filed late?

MCA charges additional fees that rise with the delay, up to 12 times the normal filing fee. OnCompliance tracks the date and warns you before it costs anything.

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What is the timeline for Foreign Director Appointment?

9 steps over about 111 days, filing DIR-12 with the ROC. Each deadline below runs from the step before it.

#StepForm filedDeadline
1Collect Foreign National DocumentsNonewithin 14 days
2Notarize & Apostille/Consularize DocumentsNonewithin 21 days
3FEMA Compliance CheckNonewithin 14 days
4Apply for DIN (Foreign National)Nonewithin 14 days
5Hold Board MeetingNonewithin 7 days
6Pass Board / Shareholder ResolutionNonewithin 1 day
7Issue Appointment LetterNonewithin 3 days
8File DIR-12 with ROCDIR-12within 30 days
9Update Statutory RegistersNonewithin 7 days

What are the steps, in order?

The 9 steps below run in order; the day counts show how long each one allows.

1

Collect Foreign National Documents

Collect mandatory documents: Passport (mandatory), Address proof (bank statement/utility bill), Email & mobile.

within 14 days
2

Notarize & Apostille/Consularize Documents

All documents must be notarized AND apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or consularized (non-Hague countries).

within 21 days
  • Documents notarized
  • Documents apostilled or consularized
  • Translation certified (if applicable)
3

FEMA Compliance Check

Verify FEMA compliance if applicable. Check sectoral caps, approval requirements, and reporting obligations.

within 14 days
  • Sectoral cap verified
  • Approval requirements checked
  • Reporting obligations identified
4

Apply for DIN (Foreign National)

Apply for DIN using apostilled/consularized passport and address proof.

within 14 days
5

Hold Board Meeting

Convene Board Meeting to approve appointment of Foreign Director.

within 7 days
6

Pass Board / Shareholder Resolution

Pass the appropriate resolution (Board or Shareholder) for appointment.

within 1 day · document made for you
7

Issue Appointment Letter

Issue formal appointment letter to the Foreign Director.

within 3 days · document made for you
8

File DIR-12 with ROC

File Form DIR-12 with ROC within 30 days of appointment.

within 30 days · files DIR-12 · document made for you
9

Update Statutory Registers

Update Register of Directors and other statutory registers.

within 7 days
  • Register of Directors updated
  • Company website updated
  • Letterhead updated
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Every guide runs like this in OnCompliance: steps in order, dates in view, paperwork made for you at each step.

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Common questions

How long does Foreign Director Appointment take?

About 111 days across 9 steps. The first step is: Collect Foreign National Documents.

Which MCA form is filed for Foreign Director Appointment?

DIR-12. DIR-12 is the change in directors filing under §170 of the Companies Act 2013.

What does it cost if DIR-12 is filed late?

MCA charges additional fees that rise with the delay, up to 12 times the normal filing fee.

Can OnCompliance run Foreign Director Appointment for me?

Yes. OnCompliance runs the same steps in order, dates in view, with the paperwork made for you at each step.