Get Your LEI Code Registration in Just 2-4 Hours

An LEI (Legal Entity Identifier) is a unique 20-digit alphanumeric code that provides regulated identification for legal entities such as businesses and organisations, especially those in the financial industry.

The aim is to make holdings more transparent and the data on them more connected and easy to access, minimising any financial risk involved in dealing with such entities across the globe.

LEI is needed by legal entities that participate in financial transactions and wish to trade in financial markets. In India, this includes:

• Listed companies on stock exchanges
• Corporate borrowers with credit of ₹5 crore or more
• Banks, NBFCs, insurance companies, and pension funds
• Entities engaged in cross-border transactions
• Participants in derivative markets
• Entities making large payment transactions (₹50 crore+)

Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) are important for promoting transparency, efficiency, and security in financial markets.

• Business loans – LEIs are required for business loans to strengthen financial supervision and enhance risk management in the economic system.
• Risk management – LEIs improve counterparty understanding and relationship assessment, fostering stability in finance.
• Regulatory oversight – Regulative bodies like the RBI and SEBI mandate LEIs to ensure compliance with international standards.

LEI registration costs vary based on the validity period you choose:

• 1-year plan: ₹4,350 per year
• 3-year plan: ₹3,990 per year (Total: ₹11,970) - Most popular
• 5-year plan: ₹3,380 per year (Total: ₹16,900) - Best value

All plans include a free digital LEI certificate valued at ₹599.

The average delivery time for LEI registration is approximately 2-4 hours after submitting all required documents and payment. If you apply before 6pm on a business day, you can typically receive your LEI code the same day.

An LEI code is valid for one year from the registration date. It must be renewed annually to maintain its active status. You can opt for multi-year plans (3 or 5 years) to save money and avoid the annual renewal hassle.

Yes, LEI codes must be renewed annually to remain valid. Renewing your LEI ensures the information in the Global LEI database remains accurate and up-to-date. You can set up multi-year registrations to avoid annual renewals.

Without a valid LEI code, entities will face restrictions on their ability to participate in regulated financial activities. This includes:

• Denial of credit, renewal, or enhancement of existing loan exposures
• Inability to trade securities and derivatives
• Restrictions on cross-border transactions
• Non-compliance with RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI mandates

No, LEI codes are only issued to legal entities such as companies, partnerships, trusts, and other organisations. Individuals cannot obtain an LEI code as they are not considered legal entities for this purpose.

An LEI code is a 20-character alphanumeric code structured as follows:

• Characters 1-4: LOU ID (identifies the LEI issuing organisation)
• Characters 5-18: Entity identifier (unique to each legal entity)
• Characters 19-20: Verification digits (checksum for validation)

Example: 529900T8BM49AURSDO55

LEI (Legal Entity Identifier) and CIN (Corporate Identification Number) are both unique identifiers but serve different purposes:

• CIN is a 21-character code issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to companies registered in India for identification purposes.
• LEI is a 20-character globally recognised code used for financial transactions and regulatory reporting across international markets.

Both codes are required for different compliance purposes and are not interchangeable.

Yes, partnership firms can obtain an LEI code. Required documents include GST Certificate, Partnership Deed with PAN, IEC, or UDYAM registration. If the Partnership Deed is provided, UDYAM registration becomes mandatory.

Yes, sole proprietorships can obtain an LEI code by providing any one of the following documents: GST Certificate, IEC (Import Export Code), or UDYAM registration (all pages).

You can verify LEI validity on the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) website at www.gleif.org. Simply enter your 20-digit LEI code to view its status, validity period, and associated entity information. You can also check LEI validity on the LEI Register India website.

Yes, LEI codes can be transferred between service providers. The transfer process allows you to switch registration agents without changing your LEI code. The LEI remains the same; only the managing organisation changes. Transfer is typically free, though renewal fees may apply.

Yes, LEI-related information is publicly available. The purpose of the LEI system is to provide transparency in financial transactions, so certain details about legal entities, such as their names, registration details, and LEI status, are made publicly accessible through LEI databases like GLEIF.

In India, the adoption and regulation of LEI codes have been significantly influenced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Currently, legal entities that always require an LEI include financial institutions such as brokerages, banks, investment & insurance companies, and credit unions.

Entities required to obtain an LEI in India

1. Listed companies: All companies listed on Indian stock exchanges, including equity and debt-listed entities, must have an LEI code.
2. Large corporate borrowers: Any corporate borrower with an outstanding credit of ₹5 crore or more must obtain an LEI. This requirement extends to borrowers from banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and primary (urban) cooperative banks.
3. Regulated entities: This includes banks, NBFCs, insurance companies, and pension funds, all of which must acquire an LEI for compliance and transparency in their financial dealings.
4. Entities engaging in cross-border transactions: All entities in India involved in cross-border transactions, such as borrowing from overseas or engaging in international financial markets, must obtain an LEI.
5. Participants in derivative markets: Entities involved in credit derivatives, Rupee interest rate derivatives, or any foreign currency derivatives must have an LEI, except for individuals.
6. Participants in government and money markets: An LEI is required for those who engage in government securities, money, and non-derivative forex markets transactions.
7. Large payment transactions: Entities making payment transactions of ₹50 crore or more using RBI-managed systems like Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) must obtain an LEI.

Implementation timeline and compliance

The RBI has set a phased implementation schedule for LEI registration among borrowers based on their exposure levels:

• Entities with exposure above ₹25 crore were required to obtain an LEI by April 30, 2023.
• Entities with exposure above ₹10 crore and up to ₹25 crore were required to obtain an LEI by April 30, 2024.
• Entities with exposure above ₹5 crore and up to ₹10 crore need to obtain an LEI by April 30, 2025.

Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to the denial of credit, renewal, or enhancement of existing exposures.

In addition to regulations affecting entities in India, various mandates impact businesses and individuals globally.

Investment firms and their clients (EU)

Investment firms and their clients are another type of organisation that requires an LEI, specifically within the EU. This is because of the MiFID II/MiFiR regulations that became law in January 2018.

EU authorities must refuse trades between investment firms and their clients unless both sides have an LEI code. This situation is primarily known as 'no LEI, no trade.' If your organisation falls under these MiFID II/MiFiR requirements, you can apply for an LEI through the LEI Register.

Government agencies (USA)

Other types of legal entities, including many US government financial agencies, will also need an LEI. This is primarily because the Office of Financial Research has made the LEI mandatory.

Such agencies include the Federal Reserve System (FED), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

RTOs and ISOs

Since 2015, US government entities outside the finance sector will also require LEIs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) mandates that all RTOs (Regional Transmission Organisations) and ISOs (Independent System Operators) have an LEI.