South Korea Companies in Bangalore
EOR, payroll, entity setup, and Karnataka compliance — everything South Korea companies need to operate in Bangalore.
At a Glance
FEMA Route
Automatic — no prior approval
DTAA Treaty
Active — India–South Korea
State
Bangalore, Karnataka (KA)
Salary Range
₹8–55 LPA for tech roles; ₹12–80 LPA for senior engineering and product management
Talent Pool
Highest in India - 1.5 million IT professionals
13.6 million (2023 estimate, BMC area)
Metro Population
₹8–55 LPA for tech roles
Salary Band
Automatic FDI
South Korea FEMA Route
7–35 days
Time to First Hire
Location
Why Bangalore for South Korea Companies
Bangalore (officially Bengaluru) is India's undisputed GCC capital - home to over 400 GCCs including Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Google, ABB, Bosch, Walmart Global Tech, and Airbus Engineering. The city hosts IISc (ranked among Asia's top research universities), IIMB, and produces the highest density of engineering PhDs of any Indian city. Bangalore's Outer Ring Road corridor from Marathahalli to Electronic City is the world's most concentrated cluster of technology employment outside Silicon Valley, with over 500,000 IT professionals working within a 20km stretch.
Bangalore is the first choice for GCCs requiring deep product engineering, R&D, and AI/ML talent - the city's 'Silicon Valley of India' ecosystem has created a self-reinforcing talent flywheel where the presence of 400 GCCs produces engineering leaders who then attract further GCC investment.
For South Korea companies specifically, Bangalore offers Enterprise SaaS, Deep Tech & AI, Aerospace & Defense Tech talent at ₹8–55 LPA for tech roles; ₹12–80 LPA for senior engineering and product management, with no prior FDI approval required and an active DTAA reducing withholding taxes.
Karnataka Compliance Note
Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act 1961 governs working hours (9 hours/day, 48 hours/week), annual leave (15 earned leave days per year after 12 months), and requires Shops Act registra…
Full Karnataka compliance guide →Top Sectors in Bangalore
Compliance
What South Korea Entities Must Comply With in Bangalore
Central / FEMA Requirements
- Transfer Pricing
- DTAA
- NTS Korea Compliance
- FEMA
- CEPA
Karnataka State Requirements
Karnataka Professional Tax: gross salary up to ₹14,999/month = ₹0 PT; ₹15,000 and above = ₹200/month (₹2,400/year). PT is deducted from the employee's salary and remitted to the Commercial Tax Department by the 20th of the following month. PT enrollment certificate required for each employer within 30 days of commencement of business.
Tax Treaty
India–South Korea DTAA
India-South Korea DTAA provides 15% withholding on dividends for corporate shareholders, 10% on interest, and 10% on royalties - beneficial for Korean chaebols routing inter-company payments from Indian subsidiaries.
Transfer Pricing
Inter-company Pricing for South Korea Entities
South Korea's TP rules under Article 4 of the Law for the Coordination of International Tax Affairs follow OECD Guidelines. The NTS (National Tax Service) is active in TP audits for outbound service charges from Korean parents to Indian GCCs. Korean companies often use Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) or cost-plus methods for GCC service fee arrangements. The OECD MLI applies to the India-Korea treaty, introducing the PPT (Principal Purpose Test) as an anti-avoidance measure.
Office Locations
IT Hubs & Zones in Bangalore
Services
Services for South Korea Companies in Bangalore
FAQ
South Korea Companies in Bangalore — Common Questions
Can a South Korea company hire employees in Bangalore without setting up an entity?
Yes — irpr.network's Employer of Record service allows South Korea companies to legally employ staff in Bangalore within 7–10 business days, without incorporating an Indian company. The EOR is the legal employer and manages Karnataka compliance, EPFO, ESIC, and TDS on your behalf.
What is the FEMA route for South Korea companies investing in India?
Korean investments in Indian IT and manufacturing sectors qualify for the automatic FDI route. KRW-INR flows via USD correspondent banking. Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and Kia are among the largest Korean investors in India. The Korea-India CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) further facilitates investment. Once shares are allotted, an FC-GPR return must be filed with the RBI within 30 days.
What professional tax applies to employees in Bangalore?
Karnataka Professional Tax: gross salary up to ₹14,999/month = ₹0 PT; ₹15,000 and above = ₹200/month (₹2,400/year). PT is deducted from the employee's salary and remitted to the Commercial Tax Department by the 20th of the following month. PT enrollment certificate required for each employer within 30 days of commencement of business.
Does the India–South Korea DTAA apply to a Bangalore subsidiary?
Yes. India-South Korea DTAA provides 15% withholding on dividends for corporate shareholders, 10% on interest, and 10% on royalties - beneficial for Korean chaebols routing inter-company payments from Indian subsidiaries. The DTAA covers your Bangalore entity regardless of which Indian city it is registered in.
How long does it take to set up a South Korea company in Bangalore?
Private Limited company incorporation takes 3–5 weeks for a South Korea parent. EPFO, ESIC, and GST registration add another 2–3 weeks. Using irpr.network EOR, you can have your first Bangalore hire onboarded in 7 business days while the entity is set up in parallel.
What are the Karnataka Shops Act requirements for a new entity in Bangalore?
Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act 1961 governs working hours (9 hours/day, 48 hours/week), annual leave (15 earned leave days per year after 12 months), and requires Shops Act registration within 30 days of commencement. The Karnataka Labour Department's e-services portal handles registration online. Karnataka's IT/BT policy (2020–2025) provides SGST reimbursement for qualifying IT companies in Tier-2 cities.
Ready to launch?
Set up your South Korea operations in Bangalore
Entity setup, EOR, payroll, and Karnataka compliance — all managed by irpr.network.