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Get FCRA Registration to Accept Foreign Donations Legally
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Know More About FCRA REGISTRATION
Introduction and Its Compliance
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) is a legislation of Government of India which regulates receipt of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and companies. The main purpose of the FCRA is to ensure that foreign money is used for bona fide purposes and not to affect the sovereignty and integrity of India. Any organization or society which wants to receive foreign donations or contributions, one of the licenses must be applied i.e. the NGO should take up FCRA Registration from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi, Government of India. Lawfinity is an expert consultant and an all-inclusive service for FCRA registration and it completely attends to your legal formalities, documentation and regulatory monitoring aspect of your company.
Why It Is Needed
Registration under FCRA is a legal requirement under which NGOs desirous of receiving foreign donations or money from abroad for undertaking various social, educational, cultural, economic and religious programs in India shall have to register themselves. It is illegal to receive foreign funds without FCRA registration, punishable with hefty fines. Lawfinity makes this cumbersome process simple by the alley, and allows NGOs and institutions to legally accept and leverage foreign contribution for their developmental work.
Benefits and Advantages
- Legal Authorization to Receive Foreign Funds: FCRA registration legally empowers organizations to accept foreign contributions for their projects and social welfare programs.
- Enhanced Credibility: Organizations registered under FCRA build trust among foreign donors and funding agencies, enhancing their fundraising potential.
- Access to Global Resources: With FCRA registration organizations can collaborate with international donors and institutions, expanding their outreach and impact.
- Regulatory Protection: FCRA compliance shields organizations from legal scrutiny and fosters transparent financial management.
- Simplified Banking Transactions: Registered entities can open designated FCRA bank accounts to receive and manage foreign funds efficiently.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations seeking FCRA registration must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be a registered society, trust or non-profit company (Section 8 Company).
- Should have a proven track record of at least 3 years in charitable activities.
- Should have spent at least ₹15 lakh over the last 3 financial years on its activities (for proper registration).
- The organization must not be engaged in any activities that may affect national interests such as political or religious extremism.
- Key office bearers must not have any criminal background or involvement in activities prohibited under FCRA.
Documents Required
For FCRA Registration:
- KYC Documents of Directors/partners/owners (Email id, Mobile No. PAN, Aadhaar, Voter id, Bank Statement etc.)
- Certificate of Incorporation/Registration (Society, Trust or Section 8 Company)
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Audited financial statements for the last 3 years
- Activity reports for the last 3 years
- Details of key office bearers (Name, Address, Aadhaar, PAN, Passport etc.)
- Copy of PAN card of the organization
- Bank account details (FCRA designated account with SBI, New Delhi branch)
- Affidavit and declarations as per FCRA guidelines
- Resolution passed by the governing body for seeking FCRA registration
For Prior Permission (if applicable):
- Commitment letter from foreign donor
- Project report detailing proposed utilization of funds
Steps for Getting Registration
- Initial Consultation: Lawfinity evaluates the organization’s eligibility and explains the entire registration process.
- Documentation Preparation: Collection and thorough review of all required documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Application Filing: Online submission of the FCRA registration application (Form FC-3A or FC-3B) on the MHA portal.
- Fee Payment: Payment of government fees through authorized payment gateways.
- Verification and Scrutiny: The MHA reviews the application, may conduct background checks and seek clarifications if necessary.
- Approval and Certificate Issuance: Upon successful verification, the MHA grants FCRA registration and issues the registration certificate.
- Post-Registration Compliance Support: Lawfinity assists with annual returns, financial reporting and ongoing compliance to maintain FCRA registration.
Penalties
- Suspension or cancellation of FCRA registration.
- Monetary fines and penalties as determined by the MHA.
- Seizure of foreign funds and freezing of FCRA bank accounts.
- Criminal proceedings against office bearers, including imprisonment.
Timelines
Document Preparation
5 to 7 working days
Application Filing
1 to 2 working days after documents are ready
Government Processing
90 to 120 days (subject to MHA verification and any additional queries)
Overall Duration
The complete process may take 3 to 4 months, depending on government processing timelines.
Timelines may vary depending on document verification and government approvals.
Fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Because every great business starts with the right answers.
Any NGO, trust, society or Section 8 Company intending to receive foreign contributions must obtain FCRA registration.
New organizations can apply for Prior Permission if they receive a confirmed foreign donation; otherwise, full registration requires a 3-year track record.
Prior Permission allows organizations to receive a specific foreign contribution from a specified donor for a particular project.
Yes, the MHA can cancel registration for non-compliance, misuse of funds or violation of the Act.
FCRA registration is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry.
Yes, Aadhaar of key functionaries is mandatory as identity proof.
No, only one designated FCRA account (with SBI, New Delhi branch) is allowed for receiving foreign contributions. Multiple utilization accounts can be maintained.
Organizations must file annual returns in Form FC-4, audited financial statements and maintain proper records of foreign contributions received and utilized.
Lawfinity offers complete end-to-end services including eligibility assessment, documentation, filing, follow-up with MHA and post-registration compliance management.
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