What is an LEI?
LEI full form: Legal Entity Identifier. An LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric code defined by the ISO 17442 standard that uniquely identifies a legal entity taking part in financial transactions. It was introduced by the G20 and the Financial Stability Board after the 2008 financial crisis to make counterparties transparent across borders.
Each LEI is linked to verified reference data — the entity's legal name, registered and headquarters address, legal form, registration authority ID (such as the CIN in India) and, where applicable, its direct and ultimate parent companies. This data is published free of charge by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF). LEIs are issued by GLEIF-accredited Local Operating Units (LOUs) and registration agents such as IndoglobalLEI.
Who needs an LEI in India?
Any non-individual legal entity can obtain an LEI. In India it is mandatory for:
- Corporate borrowers with aggregate exposure of ₹5 crore and above to banks and NBFCs.
- Participants in OTC derivatives, money-market, government securities and forex markets.
- Entities sending or receiving RTGS / NEFT payments of ₹50 crore and above.
- Resident entities undertaking single cross-border transactions of ₹50 crore and above.
- Issuers of listed non-convertible securities and Foreign Portfolio Investors (SEBI).
Banks increasingly also request an LEI during corporate KYC, trade-finance and export onboarding — even below these thresholds.
RBI & SEBI LEI mandates timeline
| Year | Regulator | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | RBI | OTC derivatives, forex & interest-rate markets All participants in over-the-counter derivative markets must hold a valid LEI — India's first LEI mandate. |
| 2018 | RBI | Non-derivative markets (money, G-sec, forex) Entities transacting in money-market, government securities and non-derivative forex markets require an LEI. |
| 2021 | RBI | Large-value payments (RTGS / NEFT) Non-individual entities initiating or receiving payments of ₹50 crore and above must include their LEI. |
| 2022 | RBI | Cross-border capital & current account transactions Single cross-border transactions of ₹50 crore and above under FEMA require the LEI of the resident entity. |
| 2023 | SEBI | Listed non-convertible securities & FPIs Issuers of listed NCDs, securitised debt and security receipts, plus FPIs, must obtain and report an LEI. |
| 2024 | RBI | Corporate borrowers with ₹5 crore+ exposure Non-individual borrowers with aggregate exposure of ₹5 crore and above to banks / NBFCs must obtain an LEI, or face restrictions on renewal and enhancement of credit facilities. |
Documents required for LEI registration
- Companies & LLPs: Certificate of Incorporation / CIN or LLPIN, entity PAN.
- Partnership firms: Partnership deed, firm registration certificate, firm PAN.
- Trusts & societies: Trust deed or society registration certificate, PAN.
- Sole proprietors: GST certificate or Udyam registration, proprietor PAN.
- All entities: Authorisation letter or board resolution signed by an authorised signatory.
Use our interactive required documents checker to get the exact list for your entity type.
LEI cost & validity in India
An LEI is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to stay in “ISSUED” status. IndoglobalLEI fees start at ₹3,499/year for a new LEI and fall to ₹2,999/year on a 5-year plan; renewals and transfers start at ₹2,849/year. See full LEI pricing.
How to apply for an LEI online
- Go to Register LEI and search your company by name or CIN — details auto-fill.
- Confirm the legal address and authorised signatory, and verify your email and mobile via OTP.
- Upload the required documents and choose a 1, 3 or 5-year plan.
- Pay securely online. Your LEI and digital certificate are issued in about 40 minutes.
LEI vs CIN vs PAN vs GST
| Identifier | Issued by | Scope | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEI (20 chars) | GLEIF-accredited LOU | Global | Financial transactions, RBI/SEBI reporting, cross-border KYC |
| CIN (21 chars) | MCA / ROC | India | Company incorporation identity |
| PAN (10 chars) | Income Tax Dept. | India | Direct taxes |
| GSTIN (15 chars) | GSTN | India (state-wise) | Indirect tax (GST) |
These identifiers complement each other: your CIN and PAN are used to validate your LEI application, and the LEI record references your CIN as the registration authority ID.