Form ESOP (options issued to non-resident employees)
The SMF report for employee stock options that an Indian company issues to persons resident outside India.
Issue of employee stock options
Counted from issue of employee stock options to a person resident outside India
- RBI
- RBI and FEMA
- Form ESOP
- 2026-09-01
Form ESOP is due within 30 days from the issue of options to a person resident outside India. It reports the option issue. If the employee later exercises the option and receives shares, report the share issue separately in FC-GPR.
RBI released draft FEMA (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 on 21 July 2026. They were not notified by 1 September 2026, so the NDI Rules 2019 position still applies. Re-check this row when the final rules are notified because its legal basis may be re-based.
Deadlines counted from an event
File Form ESOP within 30 days from the date of issue of the options.
The rule
File Form ESOP within 30 days from the date of issue of the options.
Who must comply
- An Indian company that issues employee stock options to a person resident outside India
Statutory basis
Before you file
- Complete the issue of the employee stock options.
- Keep the entity master current on FIRMS.
How to file
- Open the Single Master Form on FIRMS.
- Select Form ESOP.
- Enter the option issue details.
- Submit the form within 30 days from the issue date.
- File FC-GPR separately when shares are issued on exercise.