The FCRA online portal has been redesigned and is now available at fcraonline.gov.in. If you are following an older guide, you will notice several important changes.
- The official portal now uses the .gov.in domain. The earlier fcraonline.nic.in address now redirects users to the new portal.
- The application fee for fresh FCRA registration (Form FC-3A) is ₹10,000. Many older websites still mention the previous amount, which is no longer applicable.
- Each online service has its own timeline. Registration, renewal, annual returns and change intimations are all governed by separate statutory deadlines. Missing the applicable deadline can lead to compliance issues or affect your registration status.
This guide explains every major service available on the FCRA portal, including online registration, prior permission, renewal, annual return filing, change intimations, application fees, document requirements, file upload limits and important deadlines.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official portal | fcraonline.gov.in |
| Administered by | Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) |
| Developed and maintained by | National Informatics Centre (NIC) |
| Governing law | Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 |
| Fresh registration (FC-3A) | ₹10,000 |
| Prior permission (FC-3B) | ₹5,000 |
| Renewal (FC-3C) | ₹5,000 |
| Revision application | ₹3,000 |
| Registration validity | 5 years |
| Annual return (FC-4) | On or before 31 December each year |
| Renewal window | Apply 4–6 months before expiry |
| Change intimation | Within 45 days of the applicable change |
| Mandatory FCRA receipt account | State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch (NDMB), Sansad Marg |
| Live registration statistics | Available on the FCRA portal dashboard |
The Portal Address Has Changed
The official FCRA portal now operates at fcraonline.gov.in. If you are using an older bookmark or following an outdated guide, you may still see the earlier fcraonline.nic.in address, which now redirects to the new portal.
The portal is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and developed and maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It provides online services for FCRA registration, prior permission, renewal, annual return filing, change intimations and certificate verification.
Services you can use without logging in
| Service | Purpose | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Track Application | Check the current status of your application | Applicants awaiting approval |
| Validate FCRA Certificate | Verify whether an FCRA registration certificate is valid | Donors, funding agencies, partner organisations and the public |
| Technical Helpdesk | Report portal-related technical issues | Applicants facing login or system problems |
Use the certificate validation tool before releasing foreign funds. It confirms whether an organisation's FCRA registration is currently valid. Since registrations are renewed, suspended, cancelled or allowed to expire over time, verifying the certificate on the official portal is always safer than relying on an old copy shared by the organisation.
Accessibility features
The portal includes an accessibility panel that can be opened using Ctrl + F2. Users can increase or decrease text size, adjust spacing, change colour contrast, enable text-to-speech, highlight links, pause animations, hide images and activate specialised reading modes such as Dyslexia Friendly and ADHD Friendly.
If you expect to spend time completing lengthy online forms or reviewing compliance documents, adjusting these settings beforehand can make the portal easier to use.
Understanding the FCRA Compliance Cycle
Every FCRA-registered association follows the same basic compliance cycle. Knowing this sequence makes the various online forms much easier to understand.
- Apply for registration or prior permission.
- Receive FCRA approval, generally valid for five years.
- Receive and utilise foreign contribution in accordance with the Act and Rules.
- File the annual return (Form FC-4) by the prescribed due date each year.
- Apply for renewal before the registration expires.
Throughout the registration period, organisations must also report specified changes, such as changes in bank accounts, office bearers or registered address, using the applicable online forms within the prescribed time limits.
Every Form Available on the FCRA Portal
The FCRA portal groups its online services according to the stage of your compliance journey. Whether you are applying for the first time, managing an existing registration or seeking prior permission, the correct form depends on your purpose.
1. Foreign Hospitality (For Individuals)
| Form | Purpose | When to Apply | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC-2 | Permission to accept foreign hospitality | Normally at least 15 days before the proposed visit or event | No fee |
2. Registration & Prior Permission (For Organisations)
| Form | Purpose | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FC-3A | Fresh FCRA registration | ₹10,000 |
| FC-3B | Prior Permission for receiving a specific foreign contribution from a specific donor for a specific project | ₹5,000 |
| FC-3BB | Request for release of the second or subsequent instalment under an approved Prior Permission | No separate application fee prescribed |
3. Forms for Existing FCRA Registration Holders
| Form | Purpose | Time Limit | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC-3C | Renewal of FCRA registration | Apply 4 to 6 months before expiry | ₹5,000 |
| FC-4 | Annual Return | On or before 31 December every year | No fee |
| FC-6A | Change of association name or registered address | Within 45 days | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-6B | Change in aims, objects or nature of the association | Within 45 days | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-6C | Change of designated FCRA bank account | Within 45 days | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-6D | Opening or changing an FCRA utilisation account | Within 45 days | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-6E | Change in Key Functionaries | Within 45 days | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-6F | Addition or modification of approved purpose(s) and State(s)/Union Territory(ies) | As permitted under the applicable FCRA Rules | No separate application fee prescribed |
| FC-7 | Surrender of FCRA registration certificate | Any time during the validity of the certificate | No fee |
| Revision Application (Section 32) | Seek revision of an order passed under the FCRA | Within one year from the date of the order | ₹3,000 |
| Reply to MHA Notice | Submit a response to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs | Within the period specified in the notice (generally 30 days) | No fee |
Not sure which form you need? If your organisation has never received FCRA approval, start with FC-3A or FC-3B. If you already have an FCRA registration number, almost every future compliance—including renewal, annual returns and reporting changes—will be completed through one of the FC-3C, FC-4, FC-6 or FC-7 forms available on the portal.
FC-3A: Apply for Fresh FCRA Registration
Form FC-3A is used by eligible organisations seeking regular FCRA registration to receive foreign contribution on an ongoing basis. Once registration is granted, it remains valid for five years, subject to compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and the FCRA Rules.
Who Can Apply?
The following entities can apply for fresh FCRA registration, provided they satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed under the Act:
- Registered societies
- Public charitable trusts
- Section 8 companies
- Associations and NGOs
- Private limited companies undertaking activities beneficial to society, as permitted under the FCRA portal guidelines
Eligibility Conditions
Before starting the online application, ensure your organisation meets these requirements:
- Minimum three years of existence after registration.
- Active work in at least one recognised field such as Social, Educational, Cultural, Economic or Religious activities.
- Minimum expenditure of ₹15 lakh on its aims and objectives during the previous three financial years.
- Defined area of operation, including the States or Union Territories where foreign contribution will be utilised.
- A valid NITI Aayog NGO DARPAN ID.
- A designated FCRA Account opened with State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch (Sansad Marg).
- Compliance with all other requirements under the FCRA Act and Rules.
What If Your Expenditure Is Below ₹15 Lakh?
The FCRA portal provides a specific provision for organisations whose expenditure on their aims and objectives is below ₹15 lakh during the last three financial years.
In such cases, the portal permits submission of an Affidavit regarding inclusion of capital investments, wherever applicable. This allows eligible capital expenditure to be considered while assessing the prescribed financial requirement.
Before relying on this provision, consult your Chartered Accountant. Whether a particular capital investment qualifies depends on your accounts and supporting records.
₹15 Lakh vs ₹10 Lakh: Do Not Confuse Them
| Amount | Purpose | Applicable Stage |
|---|---|---|
| ₹15 lakh | Minimum expenditure on aims and objectives during the last three financial years | Fresh registration (FC-3A) |
| ₹10 lakh | Minimum utilisation of foreign contribution during the previous two financial years | Renewal under the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026 |
The two requirements serve different purposes. The ₹15 lakh condition establishes that an organisation has a genuine track record before receiving FCRA registration, whereas the ₹10 lakh test applies only to existing FCRA registration holders seeking renewal.
Read our detailed guide on the FCRA Rules 2026 amendments to understand the renewal requirements in detail.
Documents Required for FC-3A
Mandatory documents
| Document | Maximum File Size |
|---|---|
| Registration Certificate of the Association | 1 MB |
| Trust Deed / Memorandum of Association / Bye-laws | 5 MB |
| Activity Reports for the previous three financial years | 10 MB |
| Audited Financial Statements for the previous three financial years | 10 MB |
| Affidavit of every Key Functionary | 5 MB each |
Additional documents, wherever applicable
| Document | When Required | Maximum Size |
|---|---|---|
| Chartered Accountant's Certificate | If activity-wise expenditure is not reflected in audited accounts | 5 MB |
| Chief Functionary's Undertaking | If the association undertakes publication-related activities | 1 MB |
| Chief Functionary's Undertaking | If publication activities are included in the Trust Deed or MoA | 1 MB |
| "Not a Newspaper" Certificate issued by the Registrar of Newspapers | Where applicable | 1 MB |
| Affidavit regarding utilisation of foreign contribution after expiry of an earlier registration | If previously registered under FCRA | 5 MB |
| Certified FCRA bank account statements | If previously registered under FCRA | 5 MB |
| Affidavit regarding inclusion of capital investments | If expenditure is below ₹15 lakh | 5 MB |
Tip: Scan documents in PDF format with an appropriate resolution. Oversized files are one of the most common reasons for upload failures on the FCRA portal.
How to Apply for Fresh FCRA Registration
- Create an account or sign in at fcraonline.gov.in.
- Select FC-3A – Application for Registration.
- Complete the online application form carefully.
- Upload all mandatory and applicable supporting documents.
- Pay the ₹10,000 application fee online.
- Complete the electronic verification (e-Sign).
- Submit the application and save the acknowledgement number for future tracking.
After submission, regularly use the Track Application facility available on the FCRA portal. If the Ministry of Home Affairs seeks clarification or additional documents, responding promptly helps avoid unnecessary delays.
FC-3B: Prior Permission
Form FC-3B is meant for organisations that need permission to receive foreign contribution for a specific project from a specific foreign donor. It is commonly used by organisations that are not yet eligible for full FCRA registration or require funding for a one-time project.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Specific project from a specific foreign donor |
| Permission type | One-time prior permission |
| Application fee | ₹5,000 |
| Time to receive the contribution | Within 3 years from the date of permission |
| Time to utilise the contribution | Within 4 years from the date of permission |
| NITI Aayog NGO DARPAN ID | Mandatory |
| Designated bank account | FCRA Account at SBI, New Delhi Main Branch (Sansad Marg) |
Remember the timelines carefully. Foreign contribution must be received within three years, while utilisation must be completed within four years from the date on which prior permission is granted. Delays in receiving the funds reduce the time available for implementation.
FC-3BB: Request for the Next Instalment
Form FC-3BB is used by organisations that have already received prior permission under Form FC-3B and need the second or subsequent instalment of an approved foreign grant.
Under the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, prior permission grants exceeding ₹1 crore are released in instalments. Before applying through FC-3BB, the organisation must:
- Utilise at least 75% of the previous instalment.
- Obtain a Chartered Accountant's Certificate confirming utilisation.
- Submit FC-3BB through the FCRA portal to request the next instalment.
FC-3C: Renewal of FCRA Registration
Form FC-3C is used to renew an existing FCRA registration. Since every registration remains valid for only five years, timely renewal is essential if your organisation wishes to continue receiving and utilising foreign contribution.
When Should You Apply?
The Ministry of Home Affairs recommends submitting the renewal application four to six months before the registration expires.
If renewal is not completed before the expiry date, the FCRA registration ceases. Once this happens, the organisation cannot legally receive fresh foreign contribution or utilise foreign contribution already available in its FCRA account unless permitted under the Act.
How to Avoid Missing the Renewal Deadline
- Check your FCRA registration expiry date from the certificate or the FCRA portal.
- Set reminders at least six months before the expiry date.
- Keep audited financial statements, annual returns and other compliance documents ready well before filing.
- Submit Form FC-3C without waiting for any reminder from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Practical tip: Many renewal applications get delayed because organisations begin collecting supporting documents only a few weeks before expiry. Preparing the documents early gives enough time to correct any deficiencies raised during scrutiny.
FC-4: Annual Return
Every organisation holding a valid FCRA registration must file Form FC-4 for each financial year, even if it has received or utilised foreign contribution only during that reporting period.
- Due date: 31 December every year
- Purpose: Report receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution during the financial year
- Applicable to: All registered FCRA associations
- Delay: Late filing may attract penalties under the FCRA Act and Rules
Recent compliance requirements have increased. Following the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, Form FC-4 also requires additional disclosures such as the organisation's website and social media accounts, a detailed activity report, UDIN on the Chartered Accountant's certificate, ultimate donor details (where applicable), and information relating to publications of the organisation and its key functionaries.
Do not wait until December. Most of the information required in FC-4 is collected throughout the year. Maintaining proper records in advance makes annual filing much easier.
FC-6 Series: Report Changes Within 45 Days
Whenever important details of an FCRA-registered organisation change, they must be reported through the appropriate FC-6 form. In most cases, the intimation must be submitted within 45 days of the change, and the change becomes effective only after approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| FC-6A | Change of association name or address |
| FC-6B | Change in nature, aims, objects or registration details |
| FC-6C | Change of designated FCRA bank account, bank or branch |
| FC-6D | Opening an additional FCRA utilisation account |
| FC-6E | Change in key functionaries |
| FC-6F | Addition of approved purposes or States/Union Territories in the registration certificate |
Important Points About FC-6 Forms
- The 45-day period is counted from the actual date of change, not from the date you decide to report it.
- Submitting the form does not automatically update your records. The change takes effect only after approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- For changes relating to FCRA bank accounts, continue following the existing approved details until the revised information is formally approved.
FC-6F: Important for Existing FCRA Registrations
Form FC-6F is used to add or specify the approved purposes and the States or Union Territories in which foreign contribution will be utilised.
Under the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, existing FCRA registration holders are required to file FC-6F for updating these details within the prescribed timeline. If your organisation has not yet completed this process, review the applicable deadline and complete the filing well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
FC-7: Surrender of FCRA Registration
Form FC-7 is used when an organisation voluntarily wishes to surrender its FCRA registration during its validity period.
- State the reason for surrender.
- Apply while the registration certificate is still valid.
Before surrendering, review the implications for any unutilised foreign contribution and assets created from foreign contribution. If required, seek professional advice before submitting the application.
Section 32 Revision: If an Order Goes Against You
If you are aggrieved by an order passed under the FCRA Act, you may file a revision application under Section 32.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any person aggrieved by an order under FCRA |
| Time limit | Within 1 year from the date of the order |
| Application fee | ₹3,000 |
Clearly explain the grounds on which you are challenging the order and attach all supporting documents.
Replying to an MHA Notice
If the Ministry of Home Affairs issues a notice to your organisation, the reply should generally be submitted within 30 days through the appropriate option available after logging into the FCRA portal.
Do not wait until the last week. Collect supporting records immediately and prepare a complete response.
FC-2: Foreign Hospitality Permission
Form FC-2 is meant for specified individuals, such as Members of Legislature, Judges, Government servants, Office Bearers of Political Parties and employees of Government-controlled bodies, who require prior approval before accepting foreign hospitality.
- Application should normally be submitted at least 15 days before travel.
- No application fee is payable.
- Prior approval from the concerned department or authority may also be required.
- In emergency medical situations, the foreign hospitality must be reported within one month.
Designated FCRA Bank Account
Every organisation applying under FC-3A or FC-3B must have a designated FCRA account with the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch (Sansad Marg).
- All foreign contribution is first received in this account.
- Additional utilisation accounts may be opened after following the prescribed procedure through Form FC-6D.
- Any change in the designated FCRA account must be reported through Form FC-6C.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Wrong portal: Use fcraonline.gov.in.
- Document upload fails: Verify the file size prescribed for that document.
- Forgot login credentials: Contact the FCRA technical helpdesk or write to [email protected].
- Missed a change intimation: Submit the applicable FC-6 form without unnecessary delay.
- Received an adverse order: Consider filing a revision under Section 32 within the prescribed time.
- Received an MHA notice: Prepare and submit your reply within the stipulated period.
Important FCRA Deadlines
| Compliance | Timeline |
|---|---|
| FC-4 Annual Return | 31 December every year |
| FC-3C Renewal | 4–6 months before expiry |
| FC-6 Series | Within 45 days of the relevant change |
| FC-6F (where applicable) | As prescribed under the FCRA Rules |
| Reply to MHA Notice | Within 30 days |
| Section 32 Revision | Within 1 year from the order |
| FC-2 Application | At least 15 days before travel |
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