Foreign National Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

As the digital governance ecosystem expands in India, foreigners and non-residents are increasingly taking part in Indian business and regulatory processes including incorporation of companies, signing legal documents and filing forms with MCA, DGFT, and GST.

Legal authentication of identity to file online requires that they obtain a Foreign National Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) that is an electronic signature that has been approved by the government under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

A Foreign National DSC serves as a secure digital identity that enables foreign citizens to sign official Indian e-documents without being physically present in India.

A Foreign National DSC is such a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate, which is issued to a non-resident or foreign citizen who requires signing or authenticating some documents electronically in India.

It is similar to Indian DSC that guarantee identity verification, data security and non-repudiation but the process of documentation and verification is different since the applicant is not an Indian citizen.

The DSC issuance and use in India is regulated by the:

• Information Technology Act, 2000

• Guidelines on Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).

• DGFT compliance regulations and ministry of corporate affairs (MCA).

A DSC issued to a foreign national is therefore valid in all legal aspects in e-signing of forms, agreements and government documents in India.

Foreign nationals require a DSC in India for several professional and legal purposes:

Most foreign users prefer Sign & Encrypt Class 3 DSC for full functionality across portals.

The applicant is not an Indian resident, so the process of document verification is carried out after it is attested by the authoritative agencies.

• Identity Proof (Any one)

1. Passport (Mandatory)

2. Resident Permit (if applicable)

3. ID of citizenship (non-passport countries)

• Address Proof (Any one)

1. Utility Bill (Electricity / Water / Gas -not older than 2 months)

2. Driving License

3. Residence Certificate or Bank Statement

• Passport-size Photograph (Recent)
• Email ID and MobileNumber (OTP and communication active)
• Attestation Requirements

The one attesting a foreign document should be one of the following:

1. This information is to be provided by the applicant to the Indian Embassy / Consulate in his or her country.

2. Apostille Certificate (under The Hague Convention)

3. Public Notary and Counter Attestation by Embassy.

Note: Foreign applicants are not allowed to self-attest.

Application Process Step-by-step

• Step 1: Select a Certifying Authority (CA) which is authorized

Choose any CA that is acknowledged by the government in India like:

1. eMudhra Limited

2. Capricorn Identity Services

3. (n)Code Solutions

4. Sify Safescrypt

• Step 2: Select DSC Type

1. Select Class 3 DSC / Sign / Sign and Encrypt in the case of foreigners.

• Step 3: Complete Application Form

1. Enter your name, passport, address, nationality and contact information.

• Step 4: Upload Verified Documents

1. Upload and scan certified address and passport documents.

• Step 5: Perform Video / eKYC Verification

1. The CA can perform an online video verification of your identity.

• Step 6: Payment and Approval

1. Make the payment securely online. After getting the approval, the DSC is applied to a USB device (ePass or ProxKey).

• Step 7: DSC Token Delivery

1. In the case of an overseas applicant, the physical token may be couriered globally or sent via a local representative in India.

Renewal can be initiated 30 days before expiry through the same CA.

In order to use a DSC, one needs:

1. USB Cryptographic device (ePass 2003 / ProxKey)
2. DSC driver software in your computer
3. Compatible browsers: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge (with Java enabled)
4. DSC was registered on the corresponding portals (MCA, GST, DGFT, etc.)

Includes token, courier, and KYC verification charges.

• Submitting unattested foreign documents

• Providing expired passport or proof

• Using incorrect address format in application

• Forgetting video verification

• Not matching passport details with DSC form

Avoiding these errors ensures quick approval (usually within 2–3 working days).

• Exclusive service to foreign directors and NRIs.

• Aid on the witness-testifying and embassy-legalization.

• 100% online DSC processing

• MCA, DGFT and eTender portal compatible.

• Application assistance in other countries.

• Secured and universally shippable USB token.

Instabizfilings streamlines the process between documents and activation to the end-users across the globe, which deals with Indian compliance systems.