- Business Setup
For Foreign Companies
For Indian Companies
GIFT City
- GCC Setup
- Corporate Services
Taxation Services
Advisory & Regulatory
Accounting Services
- Who We Are
- Contact Us
For Foreign Companies
For Indian Companies
GIFT City
Taxation Services
Advisory & Regulatory
Accounting Services
GIFT City is India’s leading International Financial Services Centre. It offers UK investors a practical platform for international finance work. Regulated by the IFSCA under the 2019 Act, it allows banking, capital markets, funds, insurance, and leasing activities. Units here are treated as non-residents for forex purposes, which lets them run cross-border transactions freely in foreign currencies.
This gives UK companies a cleaner way to connect with India’s growing market while avoiding many local regulatory hurdles. By November 2025, over 1034 entities had registered, including 38 banks with assets exceeding USD 100 billion. The numbers show strong and growing interest from global players. For UK investors, the modern setup and single set of rules make GIFT City a smart choice for managing India-linked business and accessing Asian opportunities.
Located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, GIFT City operates as a multi-services Special Economic Zone under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005. It is India’s only IFSC and was designed to support the export of financial services while attracting foreign capital. The business environment follows international best practices to make it easy and attractive for global firms.
The IFSCA, established in April 2020, functions as the sole regulator for all financial services in GIFT City. It brought together responsibilities that used to belong to the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and several others. Having one regulator in charge simplifies the approval process a lot, lowers the compliance load for companies, and keeps everything aligned with international standards for transparency and stability.
GIFT City offers compelling incentives tailored to foreign entities. FDI enters most permitted sectors under the automatic route, permitting 100% ownership without prior government approval. This facilitates straightforward establishment for UK firms in fund management, banking, or insurance.
Key non-fiscal benefits include non-resident status for foreign exchange transactions, free repatriation of profits in convertible currencies, and exemptions from certain domestic restrictions. The ecosystem supports innovation through sandboxes and collaborations, aligning with UK strengths in areas like asset management and reinsurance.
The tax regime in GIFT City significantly enhances returns for UK investors. Units qualify for a 100% income tax holiday on export income for 10 consecutive years within 15-year block under Section 80-LA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Where applicable, Minimum Alternate Tax stands at a concessional 9 percent.
Indirect tax advantages include zero GST on services provided within IFSC, to offshore clients, or imported into the IFSC. No customs duty applies to goods imported for authorised operations, and exemptions extended to stamp duty on certain transactions.
Gujarat state policies provide additional support, such as reimbursement of up to 30 percent on capital expenditure, and up to 15 percent on operational expenditure under the IT/ITeS Policy, subject to caps.
| Incentive Type | Description | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax Holiday | 100% exemption for 10 out of 15 years | IFSC units on export income |
| MAT/AMT Rate | 9% on book profits | Companies and others |
| GST Exemption | Zero on offshore services and eligible imports | Services to non-residents/within IFSC |
| Capital Expenditure Support | Up to 30% reimbursement | Eligible investments (Gujarat policy) |
| Operational Expenditure Support | Up to 15% annual | Eligible operations |
Capital gains exemptions apply in specific cases, such as for non-resident on certain securities or transfer involving leasing entities, further reducing the effective tax burdens.
Business setup process is structured and efficient. It typically takes around 4-10 weeks, if the applications are well-prepared. Some of the key steps are:
Post-registration requirements involve obtaining necessary codes like GST and IEC and commencing operations. UK investors are advised to engage with IFSCA early to ensure alignment with sector-specific norms, such as minimum capital for banking or insurance units.
GIFT City supports a broad spectrum of financial services relevant to UK expertise:
These activities enable UK firms to manage India-related investments efficiently while serving international clients.
Ongoing obligations include annual fillings through IFSCA’s Single Window Interface for Timely Service portal, submission of audited financials, and adherence to anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, and KYC standards. Recent updates to AML/CFT/KYC guidelines in January 2026 consolidate requirements for enhanced compliance.
Minimum net worth and government standards apply depending on the activity. Repatriation remains unrestricted in foreign currency, supporting efficient capital flow for UK investors.
The presence of more than 1034 entities and banking assets above USD 100 billion underlines how quickly GIFT City has matured as an international financial centre. It now plays a practical role in connecting global investors with opportunities linked to India.
For UK investors, this translates into clear opportunities across fund management, reinsurance, and asset leasing in aviation and shipping. The centre encourages new ideas through regulatory sandboxes and close engagement with academic institutions, while its global connectivity supports cross border business. These factors together position GIFT City as a stable and forward-looking financial hub.
GIFT City provides UK investors with a regulated platform to capitalise on India’s growing economy while also benefiting from competitive fiscal and operational advantages. Its unified regulatory framework, tax efficiencies, and infrastructure support efficient scaling of financial operations.
As advancements continue in areas like capital markets and reinsurance, the centre strengthens its role in global finance. UK firms exploring opportunities in India gains a strategic foothold, with direct access to verified government resources ensuring informed decision-making and sustained success in doing business sin GIFT City.
