FSSAI Licensing
FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchens: Requirements, Documents and Application Steps
07 Oct 2026 · GetComply Team
Your menu is ready, you have a small commercial space, and your Zomato and Swiggy listings are almost complete. The onboarding form will ask for a 14-digit number that you do not have. This number is for the FSSAI license for cloud kitchen businesses, and you cannot launch your business until you have this.
In this FSSAI license guide for cloud kitchens, we explain what the law requires from delivery-only kitchens in 2026, how the turnover revision in April 2026 impacts your category, what documents to keep ready, and the process of applying on the government portal. At GetComply, we do food licensing every day, so we wrote the guide the way we'd explain it to a founder sitting across the table.
Why You Need an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen Operations
Customers never see your kitchen. Customers cannot see the storage area or monitor the handling of raw chicken. The FSSAI license is the only proof they get that somebody has checked. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, anyone involved in the preparation, storage, or sale of food needs to have a registration or license, and a delivery-only kitchen isn't an exception.
Why You Need an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen Operations
Customers never see your kitchen. Customers cannot see the storage area or monitor the handling of raw chicken. The FSSAI license is the only proof they get that somebody has checked. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, anyone involved in the preparation, storage, or sale of food needs to have a registration or license, and a delivery-only kitchen isn't an exception.
It's a business thing, too. During the onboarding process, Zomato and Swiggy ask for a valid number, and the same number should be on your invoices, menus, and packaging. An FSSAI license also serves as a protection for cloud kitchen owners. 63. The Act provides for imprisonment up to six months or fine up to ₹5 lakh for running a food business without registration.
Which FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen Do You Need?
Your category depends on your annual turnover. The limits were revised by FSSAI order dt 13-3-2026 w.e.f. 1-4-2026. There are tons of old articles misguiding people here. Some websites still mention the old cut-offs of Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore. They are invalid at present.
License type Annual turnover Government fee Best for Basic Registration | Up to ₹1.5 crore | ₹100 per year | New and small cloud kitchens
State License | Above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore | ₹5,000 per year, by business category | Growing or multi-outlet kitchens within one state
Central License | Above ₹50 crore | ₹7,500 per year | Large chains and cross-state operations
State License | Above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore | ₹5,000 per year, by business category | Growing or multi-outlet kitchens within one state
Central License | Above ₹50 crore | ₹7,500 per year | Large chains and cross-state operations
Most of the founders require basic registration as the FSSAI license for cloud kitchens; growing brands move to state licenses, and large chains eventually need a central license. There are two things to remember. Your category is determined by the ₹1.5 crore, not exemption from FSSAI. And a license is attached to one kitchen address, so a second kitchen in a different city needs its approval. Usually, a single license covers several brands that are cooked from the same kitchen.
The following documents are required to obtain an FSSAI license for a cloud kitchen:
Have these ready before you open the portal." Your category shifts the list a little, but the core list looks like this:
- Passport-size photograph of the applicant/authorized signatory
- Photo ID like Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, or passport
- Kitchen address proof: rent agreement or ownership documents, and a no objection certificate (NOC) from the landlord
- An NOC or operator agreement is required if cooking from a shared or hub kitchen.
- Provide business proof, such as a partnership deed, incorporation certificate, or GST registration, depending on your specific situation.
- Kitchen floor plan: Scale plan for State License 3, sketch for registration.
- Food items/categories you will cook
- The Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan and the signed declaration are required for both state and central licenses.
- Water test report often requested by officers with a state license
One of the most common reasons for queries is a discrepancy in the name on your documents and the name on your application, so make sure you check spellings before you upload anything.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen
- Verify the category you are in. Please calculate your annual turnover accurately and compare it to the table above.
- Register at foscos.fssai.gov.in for the FoSCoS Food Safety Compliance System.
- Create a new application, select your state, and choose the type of food service business that best fits a restaurant or cloud kitchen.
- Full information on the kitchen: address, food types, expected turnover, and the contact person responsible for the premises.
- Upload your documents in the formats allowed by the portal.
- Pay the government fee online and record the application reference number.
- Wait for the verification. An FSSAI license for a cloud kitchen is usually a fast review of Basic Registration, but a State License may need a review of documents and sometimes an inspection of the Food Safety Officer.
- Download the certificate and print the 14-digit number on your invoices, menus, and packaging.
Timelines vary from state to state and depend on how complete your file is, but a state license generally takes anywhere from 7 to 30 days. One change for the better is that as of April 2026, licenses and registrations are valid forever, so there is no cycle of renewals. It's still a requirement to pay the annual fee and file the annual return on time, and missing either can lead to suspension.
Cost of FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen
The government fee is nominal. The registration is Rs. 100 per year, and even a state license is in the low thousands. What does vary is the professional fee if you hire help. If you are comparing quotes for an FSSAI license for cloud kitchen filing, do check what is included, like checking of documents, filing in the portal, handling of queries, and follow-up after approval. Cheap quotes that just go into a file can cost you more time later.
Do Zomato and Swiggy ask for an FSSAI license for cloud kitchens?
Yeah. Both platforms require you to have a valid FSSAI number to get your outlet activated, and it may be re-verified later on. If your kitchen is located in a shared hub, the operator's NOC will serve as part of your address proof. Getting the FSSAI license for your cloud kitchen ready before you start photographing dishes saves you a week of back and forth.
Common Mistakes With an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen
- Unauthorized use of an address. The paperwork must correspond with the individual who actually manages the space.
- Using old turnover limits. Applying in the wrong category means queries and delays.
- Without modification. A license is linked to an address, so a change of address needs an amendment and not a new lease.
- Annual fees and returns are not considered. These now keep your perpetual license going.
- Hygiene records absent. Keep staff medical certificates and pest control records in the kitchen for inspection.
FAQs on FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen
Can we start a cloud kitchen without an FSSAI license?
Nope. In India, selling and cooking food without registration or license is illegal even if you are only selling online or from home. "If you don't have a valid number, apart from the penalty under Section 63, the aggregators will not list you. Apply for your FSSAI license before launching the cloud kitchen.
Which category of FSSAI license does a cloud kitchen need?
The FSSAI license is turnover-based for the cloud kitchen category. Basic registration is mandatory for up to ₹1.5 crore, state license for above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and central license for above ₹50 crore. Most new kitchens begin with basic registration.
What is the cost of a cloud kitchen license?
The FSSAI license for cloud kitchen cost starts from ₹100 a year for registration, the state license is ₹5,000 a year depending on your business category, and the central license is ₹7,500 a year. Consultants will add professional fees on top. See what each package is for. Confirm the exact fee when you file on FoSCoS.
What licenses are required to open a cloud kitchen?
Besides FSSAI, you will generally need to have GST registration (based on turnover and mode of sale), shop and establishment registration, and a trade or health license from the local municipal body. Some cities also look for fire safety NOC or pollution board consent. Rules vary from city to city, but the FSSAI license for cloud kitchen setups is always the first one to sort out.
Does one license cover multiple brands in the same kitchen?
Generally, yes. The brands cooked from that kitchen are under that license; it is issued for the premises. If you have a second location, you'll need separate approval, and it helps to keep a record of your brand names and menus.
Conclusion
Once you know your category and keep your documents in order, getting an FSSAI license for cloud kitchen operations is much less painful. In 2016, collect the necessary papers, file them on FoSCoS, and present your number when it is required. Check your turnover against the 2026 limits, then pay the yearly fee and return on time to keep the license active.
If you don't wish to go through the portal, GetComply takes care of all the FSSAI registrations, state & central licenses, modifications, and annual returns from start to finish. Get a smooth FSSAI license for a cloud kitchen at getcomply. Apply now! You can visit our website or call us to get involved.
"GetComply is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with FSSAI. Fees and thresholds can change, so verify current figures on the FoSCoS portal before applying."
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