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FCRA Registration

Under Section 6 of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, it is provided that any organization having a definite cultural / social / educational / religious / economic object shall accept foreign contribution / donations only after getting FCRA Registration.

Benefits of FCRA Registration in India

  • An entity registered under the system of FCRA Registration would hold a good reputation in the society.
  • FCRA Registration helps those organizations which work for the benefit and better of the public and are involved in the social work.
  • The FCRA Registrations helps the organization to receive lawfully the foreign contribution and government aids.
  • The applicant may get the benefit of having full government support as FCRA Registration is a Government Registration and is prescribed by the regulatory authority.
  • An entity registered under FCRA can receive donations from foreign bodies as well as continuous support and investment from entities.

Pre-requisites of FCRA Registration Online

  • The Organization needs to be a duly registered organization for charitable purposes.
  • The Non-Profit Organization should have active existence for the last 3 years.
  • The Organization must be registered under the NGO Darpan Registration.
  • The organization must agree to receive foreign contributions only through one specific bank account.

Points to be considered for FCRA Registration

  • For getting Proper FCRA Registration, the applicant must be registered and operating as an NGO for a minimum period of 5 years.
  • The Non-Profit Organization must have spent minimum 10 Lakh rupees in the last 3 years for furtherance of its main objects.
  • The applicant is also required to submit the financial statements for last 3 years. Further, these financial statements must be audited by a qualified practicing Chartered Accountant.
  • For FCRA Registration, Form FC-3A needs to be filed.
  • The FCRA Registration in normal course is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of approval.
  • After the expiry of this period of 5 years, it is required to be renewed for receiving any further foreign contributions.
  • On the other hand, if a newly registered Non-Profit Organization is willing to receive any sort of foreign contribution, then it can apply for Prior Permission Registration.
  • The Prior Permission Registration must be done for the funds that are to be used for a specific purpose only.
  • For FCRA Registration for Prior Permission, Form FC-3B needs to be filed.
  • The Prior Permission FCRA Registration shall be valid for 5 years from the date of approval or
  • Till the date when the foreign contribution is fully utilized for which the prior permission was granted, whichever is earlier.
  • Once the FCRA Registration in India is granted it would be valid for 5 years.
  • Renewal application of the FCRA Registration in India is required to be made 6 months prior to the date of the expiry of the FCRA Registration.
  • For FCRA Registration for Prior Permission, Form FC-3C needs to be filed.

Process of FCRA Registration

  • Login to online portal of FCRA
  • Click on the Form FC – 3A (Application for FCRA Registration) or Form FC – 3B (Application for FCRA Prior Permission), as the case may be.
  • The page will appear Apply Online Option. Select the “Apply Online” option and create a username and password by clicking on “Sign Up”.
  • Select FC-3 menu and start the registration process.
  • Follow the steps, upload the documents in PDF and enter the details of the bank.
  • The final step is to pay the online fees.

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