FIRMS Portal & FC-GPR Filing for Foreign Investment Reporting
When a foreign investor puts money into an Indian company, the investment must be reported to RBI — and that reporting happens on the FIRMS portal through Form FC-GPR. Missing the deadline is one of the most common FEMA defaults. This guide explains the FIRMS portal, FC-GPR filing, the timeline, and what happens if you are late.
What Is the FIRMS Portal?
FIRMS stands for the Foreign Investment Reporting and Management System — RBI’s single-window online platform for reporting foreign investment in India. All foreign investment filings are made here through the company’s authorised dealer (AD) bank, which verifies and forwards them to RBI.
What Is Form FC-GPR?
FC-GPR (Foreign Currency – Gross Provisional Return) is the form filed when an Indian company issues shares or other eligible instruments to a foreign investor. It reports the details of the allotment — the investor, the instruments, the amount, and the pricing — and is the cornerstone of post-investment FEMA compliance.
When Must FC-GPR Be Filed?
FC-GPR must be filed within 30 days from the date of allotment of shares to the foreign investor. This is a hard deadline, and the clock starts at allotment, not at receipt of funds.
Documents Required for FC-GPR
- Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) from the AD bank.
- KYC report on the foreign investor from the remitting bank.
- Valuation certificate supporting the issue price.
- Board resolution and list of allottees.
- Declaration by the authorised representative.
Step-by-Step FC-GPR Filing
1. Receive Funds and Allot Shares
The foreign investor remits funds through banking channels; the company allots shares.
2. Obtain FIRC and KYC
Collect the FIRC and KYC report from the AD bank.
3. Get a Valuation
Obtain a valuation certificate confirming the price is at or above fair value per FEMA.
4. File on FIRMS
Log in to the FIRMS portal, complete the FC-GPR with attachments, and submit through the AD bank within 30 days.
5. AD Bank Verification
The AD bank verifies and forwards the filing to RBI, which acknowledges it.
Consequences of Late or Non-Filing
Filing FC-GPR late or not at all is a contravention of FEMA. It must then be regularised through compounding, which involves an application to RBI and payment of a penalty. See compounding of FEMA contraventions. Timely filing is far simpler and cheaper.
Related Filings
Beyond FC-GPR, foreign-funded companies also file FC-TRS (for share transfers) and the annual FLA return. See our broader guide to RBI approvals for foreign investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who files FC-GPR?
The Indian company that issues shares to a foreign investor, through its AD bank on the FIRMS portal.
What is the deadline?
Within 30 days of allotting the shares.
Is a valuation certificate required?
Yes — to confirm the issue price is at or above fair value under FEMA pricing guidelines.
What if I miss the deadline?
It is a FEMA contravention that must be compounded with RBI, attracting a penalty.
File FC-GPR Right, On Time
S. Choudhary & Co. manages FIRMS reporting — FC-GPR, FC-TRS, and FLA — for foreign-funded companies. Explore our FDI & ECB management services or call +91 90248 28295 · sushil@sushilchoudhary.com.
