Residency
India — Residency: Work Visa
India's main work-authorization route is the Employment Visa (E-Visa), for highly skilled professionals sponsored by an India-registered company, a multinational's Indian entity, or on an inter-company transfer. Applicants generally need a specialized skill not readily available in India's local labour market and a gross annual salary above roughly INR 16.25 lakh (~USD 25,000) — with salary-floor exceptions for ethnic cooks, language instructors, performing artists, sports coaches, and NGO workers (minimum Rs. 10,000/month). The Employment Visa ties the holder to a single sponsoring employer: changing jobs requires exiting India and applying for a fresh visa naming the new employer, not an in-country transfer. Visas valid over 180 days require mandatory registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) after arrival.
Key facts
- Employment Visa (E-Visa) requires sponsorship by an India-registered company and a specialized skill not readily available locally.
- Minimum gross annual salary threshold is roughly INR 16.25 lakh (~USD 25,000), with exceptions for ethnic cooks, language teachers, performing artists, sports coaches, and NGO workers (minimum Rs. 10,000/month).
- The visa is tied to a single sponsoring employer — changing jobs requires exiting India and applying for a new Employment Visa naming the new employer, not an in-country switch.
- Typical embassy processing takes 10-20 working days; the visa is valid for 1 year or the contract length, extendable up to 5 years.
- Holders of a visa valid for more than 180 days must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival.
Steps
- Secure a sponsoring employer — An India-registered company, multinational's Indian entity, or inter-company transfer arrangement must sponsor the application.
- Apply at an Indian mission — Submit the Employment Visa application with the employment contract and salary details at the Indian embassy/consulate in your home country.
- Register with the FRRO — Within 14 days of arrival, if the visa is valid for more than 180 days.
Timelines
- Embassy processing: 10-20 working days
- Visa validity: 1 year or contract length, extendable up to 5 years
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Employment contract from sponsoring Indian entity
- Proof of specialized qualifications/skills
- Proof of salary meeting the threshold (or exemption category)
Common mistakes
- Assuming an in-country employer switch is possible on an existing Employment Visa — it is not; a new visa application from outside India is required.
- Missing the 14-day FRRO registration deadline after arrival for visas valid over 180 days.
- Underestimating the salary threshold and assuming it doesn't apply, when only a narrow set of roles (cooks, language teachers, performers, sports coaches, NGO staff) are exempt.