FCRA Approvals

Permission for foreign contribution under FC(R)Act, 1976

Permission under FC(R)Act is required by a NGO to get the funds from Foreign donors into India. This can be done in either of the two ways:

• Normal Permission
• Prior Permission

It normally takes around 6 months to get FCRA permission.

Documents required for Normal Permission Requirements

1. Form FC-8 duly filled up in triplicate.
2. Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by Registrar of Societies/Trust Deed.
3. Copy of Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of society.
4. Copy of Certificates of Exemption or Recognition issued to the society under Sections
5. 80G, 12A, of Income Tax Act, 1961.
6. Copy of any earlier permission granted to the society, if any.
7. The Trust/Society must be in existence for at least 3 years.
8. Report on the activities of the association during last three years.
9. Audit Report and Balance Sheet of Accounts of the association for the past three years.
10. Copy of resolution of Governing Body of association authorising obtaining of Registration under FCRA.
11. Copy of Power of Attorney/Resolution of Governing Body by which chief functionary has been authorised to submit Form FC-8.
12. List of present members of the Governing Body of the society and of office bearers.
13. It normally takes 6 months for application to be approved.

The Organisation is required to apply in Form FC-4 for prior permission to the FCRA department along with the following documents-

1. Audited statement of accounts of past three years.
2. Activities Report of past 3 years.
3. If the association is a registered Trust or Society a certified copy of the registration certificate.
4. Copy of the Memorandum of Association and/or the Articles of Association as applicable.
5. A copy of the latest commitment letter from the donor.
6. A copy of the proposal / project which has been approved by the foreign source for funding, including projected outlays, budget breakups.
7. Details of names and addresses of the members of the Executive Committee/Governing Council etc. of the Association.
8. Copy of any prior permission granted to the organization.
9. List of present members of the Governing Body of the organisation and the office bearers.
10. Copy of any Journal or other publication of the organization.
11. If the association is having any parent or sister or subsidiary organisation which is registered under the FCRA then the registration number along with Ministry of Home Affairs file number should be mentioned.
12. If the association has submitted any application earlier then its reference number should be mentioned.
13. If the association has received any foreign contribution with or without the prior approval of the Central Government, then the detail should be given.
14. Details of names and addresses of the members of the Executive Committee/Governing Council etc. of the Association.
15. Copy of any prior permission granted to the organization.
16. List of present members of the Governing Body of the organisation and the office bearers.
17. Copy of any Journal or other publication of the organization.
18. If the association is having any parent or sister or subsidiary organisation which is registered under the FCRA then the registration number along with Ministry of Home Affairs file number should be mentioned.
19. If the association has submitted any application earlier then its reference number should be mentioned.
20. If the association has received any foreign contribution with or without the prior approval of the Central Government, then the detail should be given.
21. Details of Bank along through which the foreign contribution shall be received.
    • A recommendation certificate from any competent authority, if any.
    • Copy of certificates of exemption or registration issued by the Income Tax Department u/s 12A, if any vii.

Other Services Related to NGOs

• Advice on various foreign exchange matters under the Act
• Obtaining various approvals under the said Act from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and providing assistance in compliance thereof.
• Advice on various FCRA matters, Obtaining approvals and filing of returns.
• Trust/Society Formation
• Registration u/s 12A and 80G of Income Tax Act.