Process
FSSAI Licence Validity and Renewal Timeline
Complianceer Team · Sep 9, 2026 · 5 min read
How long an FSSAI licence is valid in 2026: perpetual validity, annual fees, migration, and the renewal timeline and penalties for licences with an expiry date.
Quick answer: Under the Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations, 2026, FSSAI licences and registrations have perpetual validity: they stay valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered, provided you pay the annual fee and file applicable returns. Before this change, validity was 1 to 5 years and renewal was due at least 30 days before expiry. If your certificate still shows an expiry date, follow the renewal timeline below until FoSCoS confirms your migration.
Validity used to be one of the most common reasons food businesses lapsed into non-compliance. The 2026 reforms changed the rules, but many businesses still hold certificates printed with an expiry date, and the old renewal penalties still appear in FSSAI orders. This guide explains both the new position and the timeline you should follow during the transition.
What changed in 2026
FSSAI notified the Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations on 10 March 2026. Its FAQs dated 27 March 2026 confirm four key reforms:
- Perpetual validity of licences and registrations
- Deemed registration for street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014
- A risk-based inspection and food safety audit framework
- Revised turnover thresholds: registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State Licence up to ₹50 crore, Central Licence above ₹50 crore
Perpetual validity means you are not required to renew. You still must pay the annual fee, which you can prepay for any number of years, and meet hygiene, safety, labelling and return-filing obligations.
Old system vs new system
| Point | Before 2026 | From 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 1 to 5 years, chosen at application | Perpetual unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered |
| Renewal application | Required before expiry | Not required |
| Fee | Paid for the chosen validity period | Annual, payable for any number of years in advance |
| Late fee before expiry | ₹100 per day inside the last 30 days (licences) | Not applicable to perpetual licences |
| Missing obligations | Expiry and loss of licence | Suspension until dues and returns are cleared |
Migration for existing licence holders
FSSAI has said existing FBOs will be migrated through FoSCoS to the revised framework. Migration is automatic, based on your self-declaration, carries no modification fee, and keeps the same licence number. FSSAI also said sufficient time will be given for migration. Until your FoSCoS dashboard shows the updated status, treat the expiry date on your certificate as a live deadline.
Renewal timeline if your certificate still has an expiry date
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 120 to 180 days before expiry | Renewal opens on FoSCoS. Check your details and pending returns. |
| 90 days before expiry | Gather updated documents if premises, partners or products changed. |
| 30 days before expiry | Latest date to file without risk of a late fee. |
| Last 30 days before expiry | Under Regulation 2.1.7, a ₹100 per day late fee can apply to licences (not registrations). FSSAI's instant renewal system has waived this in recent years, but do not rely on it. |
| 1 to 90 days after expiry | Renewal allowed with a penalty of 3 times the annual fee. |
| 91 to 180 days after expiry | Renewal allowed with a penalty of 5 times the annual fee. |
| After 180 days | No renewal. You must apply for a fresh licence and stop operating until it is granted. |
The post-expiry window comes from FSSAI's order of 29 October 2021. It also requires manufacturers and importers to have filed due annual returns before renewal. For the full process, see our renewal step-by-step guide.
What happens if you lapse
- Delivery apps and marketplaces delist outlets with expired or suspended numbers
- Banks, landlords and B2B buyers may pause contracts during due diligence
- Operating without a valid licence can attract a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh under Section 63
- After 180 days past expiry, the old number is lost and a fresh application is needed
How to stay compliant under perpetual validity
- Log in to FoSCoS and confirm your licence status and fee-paid-up date.
- Prepay the annual fee for a period that matches your plans.
- File Form D-1 by 31 May each year if you manufacture, repack, relabel or import.
- Update FoSCoS by modification when products, partners or capacity change.
- Keep hygiene records ready for risk-based inspections.
- Set reminders for fee payments and returns, or use renewal tracking.
Common mistakes
- Assuming perpetual validity means no annual fee
- Ignoring the expiry date on a certificate that has not migrated yet
- Leaving renewal until the last week before expiry
- Renewing without filing pending annual returns
- Letting a licence lapse beyond 180 days and losing the number
Frequently asked questions
How long is an FSSAI licence valid in 2026?
Under the 2026 amendment, licences and registrations have perpetual validity. They stay valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered, as long as the annual fee is paid and applicable returns are filed.
Do I still need to renew my FSSAI licence?
FSSAI's 2026 FAQs say FBOs are not required to renew. If your certificate still shows an expiry date and FoSCoS has not migrated it, renew before that date to be safe.
What was the FSSAI licence validity before 2026?
Validity was 1 to 5 years, chosen by the applicant at the time of application, with the fee paid for that period.
What is the penalty for renewing an FSSAI licence after expiry?
Under FSSAI's 2021 order, renewal within 90 days of expiry costs 3 times the annual fee, and from day 91 to 180 it costs 5 times. No renewal is allowed after 180 days.
When does the FSSAI renewal window open?
FoSCoS lists licences for renewal up to 120 days before expiry, and FSSAI orders mention a window opening up to 180 days before expiry.
Can my FSSAI licence be suspended under perpetual validity?
Yes. A licence can be suspended for non-payment of the annual fee, missed returns or safety violations, and it can be cancelled for serious or repeated breaches.