Overview of FCRA Registration All the Charitable trust, societies and Section 8 Company that receives foreign contribution or donation from foreign resources shall apply for FCRA Registration. FCRA registration is done under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010. FCRA stands fo r Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 was enacted with a view to: - • Balance the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by established individual associations or companies. • Bar on the acceptance and utilization of foreign hospitality or foreign contribution for any activities adverse to national interest and for matters related to therewith or incidental thereto. The certificate of FCRA Registration is issued by the government a uthority and it is mandatory to obtain the FCRA registration certificate before acquiring or receiving any foreign contribution grants by any registered trust, social institutions, and NGOs. In order to be eligible to apply for proper FCRA registration fo llowing minimum requirements must be met with: Normal Registration a) Be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 or section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 etc. b) Any person making an application for regist ration shall have an FCRA Account i.e. a bank account with state bank of India, main branch, New Delhi. c) An association should be in existence for at least 3 years and has undertaken reasonable activity in its chosen field for the benefit of the soci ety for which the Foreign Contribution is proposed to be utilized. d) An association should have spent at least Rs. 15, 00,000/ - over the last 3 years on its core activities for the benefit of the society during the last three financial years. The cent ral government in exceptional cases or in cases where the person making the registration application is controlled by the CG or SG may waive this condition of Rs. 15,00,000. e) A person making an application may also include the existing capital investm ents, like bank, building, vehicles, etc. in computation of its eligibility of minimum spending of Rs.15 Lakh then such person shall: • Give an undertaking that the assets shall be vested henceforth with the person till the validity of the certif icate. • They shall be utilised only for the activities covered under the Act. • The rules made thereunder and shall not be diverted for any other purpose till the validity of its certificate of registration remains valid. f) An asso ciation should have 12A registration certificate as well as registration certificate also. Note: Every application seeking registration under clause (a) of sub - rule (1), made before the commencement of these rules but not disposed of, shall be considered a fter furnishing the details of FCRA Account. Prior Permission Registration The Prior Permission Registration is preferably suited for those institutions that are newly registered and are likely to receive foreign contributions. Prior Permission is grant ed for receiving the specific amount from a specific donor for carrying out specific projects. The Non - profit organization must be registered: - • Under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or, • The Indian Trusts Act, 1882 or, • Incorporated as Section 8 Company as per the Companies Act, 2013 or any such Act as may be required. Submit a particular commitment letter from the contributor to the Ministry of Home Affairs which indicates (1) Amount of contribution given, and (2) Aim for which it is proposed to be give n. If in case, the Indian recipient organization and foreign donor organization have common members, the following conditions need to be met: - • The Chief Functionary of the Indian entity cannot be part of the contributor entity. • At least 51% of the members/ office - bearers of the governing body of the Indian recipient entity should not be employees/members of the foreign contributor entity. • Where the foreign contributor is an individual: - I - That individual cannot be the Chief Functionary of the Indian organiz ation. II - At least 51% of office bearers/members of the governing body of the recipient entity should not be the family members and close relatives of the donor. FCRA Bank Account Every per seeking registration under the Act shall mandatorily open its FC designated bank account with SBI, Main Branch, New Delhi. Further, the person seeking registration has option to open one “Another FCRA Account” and one “Utilisation Account” in any PFMS compliant scheduled bank. Registration Proced ure • Go to Ministry of home affairs website by typing in address of web browser, http://fcraonline.nic.in • Create a Login ID • Fill form FC - 3A which is a FCRA Registration Form • Upload required documents for registration • Pay Fees @ 10,000 and print the Application Documents Required for the FCRA Registration Following documents are necessary fo r the registration under FCRA such as Name of the Document Desired Size Registration Certificate of Association 1 MB (PDF) Memorandum of Association/Trust deed 5 MB(PDF) Activity Report for the last three years 3 MB(PDF) Audited Statement of accounts for the last 3 years 5 MB(PDF) Associations has to upload affidavit of each key functionary 1 MB(PDF) Chief Functionary signature (140 (Width) * 60 (Height) Pixel) 50 KB Seal of the Association (140 (Width) * 60 (Height) Pixel) 100 KB