Resident director requirement (Section 149 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013) is a form of local representation; some of the countries refer it as nominee director. In India, even foreign nationals who meet the criteria of having stayed in India for a certain period (182 days during the financial year)  also can be appointed as resident director. The eligibility is not dependent on the citizenship of the proposed director but on the period he / she has stayed in India.

A Resident Director is a director of an Indian company who meets the residency requirement of having stayed in India for at least 182 days during a financial year, as per India’s Companies Act, 2013. This role serves as local representation, ensuring the company’s compliance with local laws and regulations, and assisting with operational and governance matters, particularly for foreign companies establishing a presence in India.