Licences to open a salon, beauty parlour or spa in Chennai
5 required licences and registrations, the official fee for each, the office that issues it and the documents to keep ready. Based on a typical small salon or beauty parlour with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
5
Known official fees
₹0
first year, plus 3 that vary
Issuing city body
Greater Chennai Corporation
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Required licences and official fees
For a salon, beauty parlour or spa in Chennai (GCC), Tamil Nadu.
| Licence | Issued by | Official fee | Time | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANCentral | Income Tax Department | Freeinstant e-PAN with Aadhaar | Same day | incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN) |
| GST registrationCentral | GST Network / State GST Department | Freeno government fee | About 7 working days | gst.gov.in |
| Trade licence (GCC)Municipal | Greater Chennai Corporation, Revenue Department | ₹2,500 / ₹5,000 / ₹10,000per year by floor area (small / medium / large), 2024 schedule | Online | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Profession Tax (collected by your corporation)State | Greater Chennai Corporation (local body) | Up to ₹1,250 per half-year (₹2,500 a year), by income; companies also pay Company Tax | Register with the corporation when you start | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Music licence (PPL and IPRS)Private | PPL India (sound recordings) and IPRS (songs) | ₹10,000 + PPL tariffa year: IPRS up to 5,000 sq ft, plus PPL by premises type; GST extra | About a week | pplindia.org / iprs.org |
Fees are the official government fees, not agent charges. Some fees depend on your size or change by office, so confirm on the portal before paying.
Order to apply in
- Identity and tax registration: PAN, GST registration. Do these first. Later forms ask for PAN and GST.
- Municipal licence: Trade licence (GCC). Permission from your city for these premises.
- State labour and tax: Profession Tax (collected by your corporation). Registers your workplace and staff with the state.
- Conditional and optional: Music licence (PPL and IPRS). Only if they apply to how you operate.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- PAN of the business
- Aadhaar and photo of the owner or partners
- Proof of premises: electricity bill plus rent agreement or owner's NOC
- Bank statement or cancelled cheque
- Property tax receipt
- Rent agreement or ownership proof
- Photo ID of the owner
- Tamil name board on the shop (5:3:2 ratio Tamil:English:other)
- PAN
- Aadhaar
- Business address proof
- GST or Shops and Establishments certificate
- Employee list with salaries
- Business details and address
- Seating capacity or floor area
- GSTIN
Also check if these apply
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
- Shops and Establishments registration: Free. Mandatory in Tamil Nadu only from 10 workers. Below that it is optional but banks often ask for it.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a salon, beauty parlour or spa in Chennai?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹0 in the first year, plus 3 fees that depend on your size or the office (Trade licence (GCC), Profession Tax (collected by your corporation), Music licence (PPL and IPRS)). This is the government fee only. Agents and consultants charge extra, which you can avoid by applying yourself on the official portals.
Which licence should I apply for first?
Start with PAN and GST registration, because almost every later form asks for them. Then apply for the sector licence, followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Greater Chennai Corporation?
Yes. For a salon, beauty parlour or spa you need the Trade licence (GCC). The official fee is ₹2,500 / ₹5,000 / ₹10,000 (per year by floor area (small / medium / large), 2024 schedule). Apply at chennaicorporation.gov.in.
How long does it take to get all the licences?
Most registrations like PAN, GST and Udyam come through within a week. Sector and municipal licences can take 30 to 60 days where an inspection is needed, so apply for those as early as possible and before you open.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.