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.
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.
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.
| # | Step | Form filed | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collect Foreign National Documents | None | within 14 days |
| 2 | Notarize & Apostille/Consularize Documents | None | within 21 days |
| 3 | FEMA Compliance Check | None | within 14 days |
| 4 | Apply for DIN (Foreign National) | None | within 14 days |
| 5 | Hold Board Meeting | None | within 7 days |
| 6 | Pass Board / Shareholder Resolution | None | within 1 day |
| 7 | Issue Appointment Letter | None | within 3 days |
| 8 | File DIR-12 with ROC | DIR-12 | within 30 days |
| 9 | Update Statutory Registers | None | within 7 days |
What are the steps, in order?
The 9 steps below run in order; the day counts show how long each one allows.
Collect Foreign National Documents
Collect mandatory documents: Passport (mandatory), Address proof (bank statement/utility bill), Email & mobile.
Notarize & Apostille/Consularize Documents
All documents must be notarized AND apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or consularized (non-Hague countries).
- Documents notarized
- Documents apostilled or consularized
- Translation certified (if applicable)
FEMA Compliance Check
Verify FEMA compliance if applicable. Check sectoral caps, approval requirements, and reporting obligations.
- Sectoral cap verified
- Approval requirements checked
- Reporting obligations identified
Apply for DIN (Foreign National)
Apply for DIN using apostilled/consularized passport and address proof.
Hold Board Meeting
Convene Board Meeting to approve appointment of Foreign Director.
Pass Board / Shareholder Resolution
Pass the appropriate resolution (Board or Shareholder) for appointment.
Issue Appointment Letter
Issue formal appointment letter to the Foreign Director.
File DIR-12 with ROC
File Form DIR-12 with ROC within 30 days of appointment.
Update Statutory Registers
Update Register of Directors and other statutory registers.
- Register of Directors updated
- Company website updated
- Letterhead updated
Every guide runs like this in OnCompliance: steps in order, dates in view, paperwork made for you at each step.
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.