Foreign citizens, no matter their country of origin, must obtain various types of Indian residence permits upon moving here. These are issued in accordance with the reason for immigration and the duration of stay. This is why they are divided into several categories.
Below, our Indian agents explain the main requirements for obtaining a residence permit. They are at your disposal with tailored services related to relocation to India.
Types of residence permits available in India
India is quite offering in terms of residency, as foreign citizens can obtain around 9 or 10 types of visas and residence permits for short stays, respectively temporary immigration. First, it must be noted that, entry visas are required for immigrants who want to stay in the country for more than 90 days or 3 months within a 6-month time span.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas to reside in India | Employment, business, project, family reunion, research, or medical visas, etc. |
|
Residency permit validity period |
Varies with visa type, for instance; it is valid for 5 years with a business visa and 1 year for a medical visa. |
|
Minimum salary requirement |
USD 25,000 per year for individuals with an employment visa. |
| Required documents for residence permit |
– Passport sized photos; – Valid passport and visa; – Residency documents; – Registration fee. |
| Registration authority |
Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) |
| Registration timeframe |
Within 14 days of arrival, if you intend to stay more than 180 days. |
| Age exemption |
Below 16 years old are not required to register with FRRO. |
| Pathway to permanent residency |
– Investment; – By acquiring OIC card (overseas Indian citizen); – By obtaining PIO card (persons of Indian origin). |
| Investment requirement for PR status |
USD 1.5 million investment, job creation |
| OCI eligibility | Indian origin with renounced citizenship |
| PIO card eligibility |
Descendant of Indian citizens |
| Spouse of the eligible person can apply for OCI (yes/no) |
Yes, the spouse of a foreign national who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card and whose marriage has been officially registered and sustained for a continuous period of at least two years preceding the submission of the application is qualified for registration as an OCI Cardholder. |
| Online residency application |
It is possible in most cases, but it is recommended to check with our specialists. |
| Foreign spouse of an Indian can get citizenship |
Yes, if you’re married to an Indian citizen and have been residing in India for seven consecutive years prior to applying for registration, you’re eligible to seek registration as an Indian citizen through an application to the Central Government of India. |
| Assistance with residency in India | Yes, you can contact our consultants in India for detailed guidance on how to get Indian residency. |
Here are the available types of temporary residence permits for India:
- the employment visa that can have a validity of 5 years depending on the job taken;
- the business visa that also has a 5-year validity;
- the project visa that can be obtained for one year or the duration of the project;
- the family reunion visa which in India is known as the X-entry visa has a 5-year validity;
- the research visa that can also be obtained for a period of 5 years;
- the medical visa with a duration of one year.
India is quite generous when it comes to residency options, which is why if you need assistance in obtaining a temporary residence permit, you can rely on our specialists.
Residency by employment in India
One of the simplest ways to immigrate to India and obtaining residency is employment. This type of visa has the advantage of being issued for up to 5 years, as well as being extendable, thus enabling its holder to become a permanent resident of India.
Here are the conditions to meet in order to obtain it:
- the applicant must be a qualified professional or highly skilled worker;
- the minimum salary he or she will receive on the job must be the equivalent of USD 25,000 per year (please mind that exceptions also apply to certain professions);
- while in the country, the employee must work for the Indian company only.
Among the main aspects to consider is that foreign technicians and experts are allowed to stay in India for up to 5 years provided that a bilateral agreement between India and the applicant’s home country is in force. Also, the maximum stay for highly qualified foreign workers in the IT and related sectors is 3 years.
If you are wondering if employment is a good pathway to permanent residency in India, you should know that it is.
If you meet the requirement for becoming a permanent resident, you can rely on our advisors for the application.
We are also at your disposal if you want to start a company in India and thus move here based on a business permit. We can also provide you with tailored solutions related to taxation offered by our Indian accountants.
Registration with the FRRO in India
Natural persons who want to register a company in India or to relocate to this country for personal reasons are required to apply for a residence permit. Residence permits are necessary for persons who will live in India for a period longer than 180 days and the registration has to be started within 14 days from the day of arrival.
Those staying in India for a period of more than 180 days have to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). However, persons with an age below 16 are not required to register for a residence permit in India and our local representatives may offer in-depth advice on the procedures imposed in this case and on the documents the foreigners have to submit.
In order to obtain a residence permit in India, foreigners are required to register with the FRRO available in the area where the person will live. The FFRO is available in the following major Indian cities:
- Delhi;
- Mumbai;
- Kolkata;
- Amritsar;
- Bengaluru;
- Chennai;
- Hyderabad.
In the situation in which foreigners will live in other regions than the ones mentioned above, they will need to register with the District Superintendents of Police operating in their region, as the institution works under the FRRO and has the legal right to perform this procedure.
These institutions will provide a certificate of registration, which can be further used for obtaining a residence permit in 2024 and our team of consultants in company formation in India can provide in-depth information on this matter.
Who is exempted from registering with FRRO?
Please find below who is exempted from registering with FRRO:
- Registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is not obligatory for foreigners under certain long-term visa categories, such as Business/Entry (X) and Journalist Visas, if their stay doesn’t exceed 180 days in a single visit;
- However, if a foreigner plans to extend their stay beyond 180 days, registration must be completed well before reaching this limit;
- Certain groups of foreigners are exempt from mandatory FRRO registration:
- Holders of an OCI Card (Overseas Citizens of India) benefit from a streamlined process due to their special status;
- US nationals with ten-year tourist or business visas are exempt, provided their continuous stay does not exceed six months per visit;
- Foreigners of Indian Origin with five-year multiple entry X visas, explicitly indicating a maximum stay of six months per visit, are also exempt;
- Children under the age of 12 are exempt from mandatory registration, acknowledging the unique circumstances associated with minors.
Documents required to obtain a residence permit in India in 2024
Persons wishing to apply for a residence permit in India in 2024 will need to provide the following documents:
- four passport photos;
- a valid passport and a valid visa;
- three copies of the passport page containing the photo and the valid visa;
- copies of the documents stating the person’s residency in India;
- registration fee.
Persons who arrive here for starting a company in India will be required to offer specific documents, besides those mentioned above. Company representatives have to provide information on the Permanent Account Number, a letter in a specific format signed by the company’s director, and other corporate documents.
Our agents can offer detailed information on how to obtain residency in India in 2024.
Obtaining Indian permanent residency
There are several ways of securing the permanent resident status (PRC) in India, as indicated below:
- investment is the main option for non-Indian citizens and it implies injecting USD 1.5 million in a company and create jobs;
- obtaining the Overseas Indian Citizen (OCI) card, if you have Indian origin but have renounced Indian citizenship and desire to return;
- by obtaining a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Card if you a descendent of Indian citizens.
These are also the main ways to qualify for Indian citizenship. However, please remember that the duration of the residence permit is different based on the scenario you fit in. However, our local experts are at your service and will help you navigate the legal requirements for permanent relocation and access to an Indian passport.
How easily can one obtain residence in India in 2024?
Moving to India in 2024 is not complicated for those who want to obtain residence permits. They can either set up companies or find employment here in order to relocate as soon as possible.
The procedure of obtaining an Indian residence permit in 2024 can be started online in most cases, however, the applicant must also consider the regulations in his/her home country and the Indian Embassy or Consulate there. Either way, our agents in India can provide tailored advice depending on the applicant’s needs.
If you have any questions on how to apply for residency in India in 2024, do not hesitate to send your questions to our advisors.
Migration rates in India
According to the United Nations, India’s migration rates are:
- the current net migration rate in 2023 is -0.329 per 1000 people, a decrease of 3.8% from 2022;
- India’s net migration rate in 2022 was -0.342 per 1000 people, a decrease of 3.93% from 2021;
- India’s net migration rate in 2021 was -0.356 per 1000 people, a decrease of 3.52% from 2020.
Businessmen are invited to contact our team of specialists, who can assist with specific details on the residence permit. Persons arriving in the country for business purposes and who are interested in how to form a company in India as a foreigner can be assisted by our agents in obtaining a residence document available for investors.
You can also rely on us for payroll solutions in India.