In 2024, a UK-based health-tech startup wanted to expand its 24x7 support operations. India made sense—cost-effective talent, English fluency, and a strong tech backbone. But there was a catch: no legal entity, no HR presence, and zero understanding of Indian compliance. Fast forward 10 months: they now run a 20-member team across 3 cities, fully compliant, operationally efficient—and still don't have a registered entity. How? They chose a smarter India entry strategy.
India: Too Big to Ignore in 2025
With a population of 1.4 billion, a median age of 28, and one of the world's fastest-growing economies, India isn't just an outsourcing hub anymore. It's a talent and growth engine for companies looking to scale globally.
Whether you're a SaaS firm in Boston, a law firm in London, or a fintech startup in Dubai—India offers:
- Skilled professionals across finance, tech, legal, design - Cost arbitrage without compromising quality
- Remote-readiness across metros and Tier 2 cities
- Ease of digital payments, GST, and e-compliance infrastructure
But while opportunity is massive, entry is not frictionless.
The Complexity Most Miss
Companies often assume entering India is as easy as hiring a few people or registering a subsidiary. In reality:
- The legal maze across labour, tax, and foreign exchange laws can stall operations
- Missteps in PF, ESI, or contract structuring can lead to penalties or disputes
- And most critically, the question of "Should we set up an entity or test through an EOR?" is rarely answered with full context
Rushing in without assessing feasibility often leads to unwinding setups, employee misclassification, or regulatory non-compliance.
The Smart Way In: Strategic India Entry with R. Arora & Associates
At RAA, we approach India entry like a strategy project, not just a legal filing task. We help you:
- Evaluate market feasibility across talent, cost, and regulation
- Compare entry options: EOR vs Entity vs Representative Office
- Understand industry-specific compliance risks (e.g., FDI restrictions, gig worker laws, or FEMA requirements)
- Craft a scalable hiring model that aligns with your business goals
And most importantly, you'll work with a single point of contact who orchestrates all legal, HR, and compliance actions behind the scenes—so you never have to chase a CA, a CS, and a lawyer to troubleshoot one issue.
Case in Point: One Market, Many Paths
- A fintech company from Singapore hired through the EOR model to build a 6-member ops team. After 6 months of traction, we helped them incorporate a subsidiary and migrate staff seamlessly.
- A US-based law firm needed a back office to support Indian clients. We advised on an LLP structure, registered their entity, and continue to manage monthly payroll, GST filings, and HR compliance.
No matter the path, our job is to make sure your India entry is smart, compliant, and scalable from Day 1.
Why Partnering Right Matters
Most India entry stories go wrong not because of bad intent, but because of fragmented execution. One vendor registers your company. Another runs payroll. A third advises on law.
And when something breaks? Fingers get pointed—not problems solved.
At R. Arora & Associates:
- You get a single point of contact
- We coordinate with CA, CS, legal, and HR teams internally
- You avoid delays, miscommunication, and blame-shifting
- You focus on growth, we handle everything else
Enter India Smartly. Same Approach Does Not Work for Everyone!
India is not a checkbox—it's a strategic move. Whether you're exploring a pilot team, outsourcing a function, or setting up a long-term base, we help you:
- Understand the "why" before you pick the "how"
- Minimise compliance risks from Day 1
- Scale operations without setting off red flags
Have you been Thinking about India?
We can start build your custom India Entry Roadmap in under a week. This Article is a part of a mini series: "The India Entry Playbook – by R. Arora & Associates".
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
