How to Add VPOB in the GST Portal

Overview

A Virtual Place of Business (VPOB) is an address that is documented, verifiable and can be used to obtain or even update GST registration of a state where you do not have a traditional office. GST has a may interpretation of place of business; it encompasses premises on which the business is conducted, where the goods are stored/received and books are kept. Departments may verify such premises before or after registration (Rule 25), recording a photo-supported report (REG-30).

Adding VPOB inside the GST portal follows two routes:

• New state registration: Apply using the VPOB address as your place of business for that state.
  
  
• Amendment: Add the VPOB as an Additional Place of Business (APOB) under an existing GSTIN.

After approval (REG-06), you can declare operational sites—such as warehouses or marketplace fulfilment centers—as APOB in that state. Many marketplaces expect the relevant facility to be listed as APOB on your certificate before inbound shipments are allowed.

Service partners such as thegstco. offer multi-state VPOB and APOB assistance, including document packs, filings, query handling, and inspection readiness until REG-06 is issued.

Benefits

• Faster state activation
  VPOB enables quick entry into new states without leasing or fitting out physical offices. Approvals align better with logistics and marketplace timelines.
  
  
• Lower fixed costs
  A virtual address pack (agreement, owner NOC, recent utility) is significantly cheaper than rent, deposits, utilities, and maintenance for a full office.
  
  
• Clean compliance path
  The law permits third-party premises when documentation is genuine and the address is reachable. Rule-based verification is easier when signage and mail handling are in place.
  
  
• Marketplace and warehousing readiness
  Once the state GSTIN is active, you can add warehouses or fulfillment centers as APOB. This is often mandatory before inbounding inventory.
  
  
• Scalable multi-state footprint
  The sequence—VPOB → registration/amendment → REG-06 → APOB—can be repeated across states. Teams standardize address strings, scan quality, and response templates, making later activations faster.

Procedure

The system for end-to-end workflow to incorporate VPOB in the GST portal and bridge real operating sites through APOB.

Step 1: Plan target states
Determine the states which you require depending on the warehouse locations, marketplace FCs and demand clusters. Keep a master sheet with full civic addresses and PIN codes for all planned sites.

Step 2: Engage a VPOB provider (optional but practical)
Choose a provider that supplies:

• Agreement/leave-and-license.
• Owner NOC.
• Recent utility bill.
• Signage and mail handling.
• Support for portal clarifications and on-site verification.

Use thegstco. as a benchmark when comparing scope, SLAs, and pricing.

Step 3: Gather papers
Make two bundles (Section 4):

• Provider pack: Agreement, owner NOC, and latest utility bill for VPOB address.
  
  
• Entity pack: PAN, incorporation/partnership deed, MOA/AOA/LLP agreement, KYC, and board/partner authorization if needed.

Always match legal name and entire address (building/floor/flat/landmark/PIN) across files and forms.

Step 4: File on the GST portal
Option A — New state registration

1. Start the application for the target state.
2. Enter the VPOB address as your place of business.
3. Upload provider and entity packs.
4. Complete Aadhaar authentication if prompted; submit and track the ARN.

Option B — Amendment to add place of business

1. Log in → Services → Registration → Amendment of Registration.
2. Open “Additional Places of Business,” set “Have Additional Places of Business” to Yes.
3. Click Add New, enter the VPOB address exactly, upload proofs, submit, and track status.

Portal hygiene: use legible PDFs, no cropped margins, no shadows. Ensure typed addresses match your uploaded documents.

Step 5: Clarifications and verification
If queries arrive, respond quickly with precise references (mention the document and page). If physical verification is scheduled, ensure signage is installed, mail is receivable, and a local contact can coordinate the officer’s visit. Keep a printed verification pack ready (agreement, NOC, utility, KYC).

Step 6: Certificate and approval
Download and store REG-06 with your registration pack and amendment orders after approval.

Step 7: Add actual operating sites as APOB
For warehouses or marketplace FCs in that state, file an amendment to add each site under Additional Places of Business. Enter the address exactly and upload any requested proofs. Ensure your e-invoice and e-way bill profiles reflect the new GSTIN and APOB.

Step 8: Post-approval upkeep
Renew agreements on time; maintain current utilities; keep signage and mail handling active; file amendments promptly for any address/provider change. Store REG-06, amendments, and any REG-30 reports in a shared folder for audits.

Documents

VPOB address evidence (provider pack)

• Agreement / Leave-and-License / Sub-lease: in the entity’s name or validly assignable; full civic address.
  
  
• NOC from the owner granting authorization to use the premises for GST registration and correspondence.
  
  
• Use recent utility bills (electricity/water/property-tax) from the past 2-3 months for address matching.

Organization and authorized signer

• Business KYC: PAN, Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership Deed, and relevant MOA/AOA/LLP agreement.
  
  
• Authorised Signatory KYC: government ID, address proof, recent photograph.
• Board/Partner Authorisation: where required by your constitution.

If adding warehouses or FCs as APOB

• Evidence on all sites of the APOB: lease/leave-and-license (or consent), utility/bill (relevant) and NOC when necessary.
  
  
• Configuration of operations: e-invoice/e-way bill profiles and internal systems (WMS/TMS): change to new GSTIN and APOB.

Precision standards that prevent queries

• Exact address string: one canonical line used everywhere (agreement, NOC, utility, portal forms, labels).
  
  
• Readable scans: straight, clear PDFs at a legible resolution.
  
  
• Document recency: utilities within the accepted age window for your desk.
  
  
• Consistency: legal name and signatory details match incorporation and KYC records.

Physical Office vs VPOB

FAQ

1) What is a VPOB in GST?
An address registered or amended in writing that can be verified against and made in a state that you do not have a traditional office. It should be agreed, supported with NOC and a latest utility bill.

2) Is VPOB legal?
Yes. GST allows third-party premises when documentation is genuine and the address is reachable. Officers may verify the site before or after registration.

3) Does VPOB replace my PPOB?
No. Your PPOB remains your principal office where records are kept. VPOB is a registration and correspondence scaffold; APOB entries cover real operating sites like warehouses or FCs.

4) How do I add VPOB on the portal?
Either apply for a new state GSTIN using the VPOB address or file an amendment to add it under “Additional Places of Business,” then upload proofs and submit.

5) What documents do I need?
Agreement or leave-and-license, owner NOC, recent utility bill, PAN and constitution documents, authorised signatory KYC, and board/partner authorisation if required.

6) How long does approval take?
With clean documents and quick responses, many applications close in about two to four weeks. Physical verification, if scheduled, can extend that window.

7) When do I add warehouses or FCs?
After you receive REG-06 for the state GSTIN, file an amendment to add each warehouse or FC as APOB.

8) What causes rejections or delays?
Mismatched address strings, outdated utilities, unreadable scans, lack of signage or mail handling during verification, and slow replies to desk queries.

9) Do I need VPOB for every warehouse?
No. You need a valid state GSTIN (often created via VPOB). You can then add multiple APOBs under that GSTIN for different warehouses or FCs.

10) Who can help end-to-end?
Specialist providers like thegstco. handle the VPOB document pack, filings, clarifications, and verification readiness through to REG-06, after which you add your operational sites as APOB.