1. Comparison of Main Visa and Work Permit Categories

These are the main categories covered in this guide. Dependant, study, and other arrangements are addressed separately below.

1. Tourist and Business Visit Visa

Eligibility for an electronic visa depends on the applicant’s current nationality and intended activities. The e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, and regular Business Visa have different validity periods, permitted stays, and entry limits.

Business visits may include meetings, commercial negotiations, market research, or establishing business contacts. Working for an Indian entity, providing ongoing technical services, or performing the duties of a regular position should not be handled solely through a business invitation. Large conferences, internships, and activities in restricted areas may also require a specific visa or permit.

2. Employment Visa

The Employment Visa is generally intended for highly skilled or otherwise eligible professionals. It is not intended for ordinary, routine, or clerical roles, or for positions that can be filled by qualified local workers.

The annual gross salary must generally exceed INR 1.625 million, or 16.25 lakh. Salary components are calculated according to the criteria applied by the authorities, while assignments lasting less than one year are calculated proportionately. Statutory exceptions may apply to non-English-language teachers, translators, and ethnic cooks employed by foreign missions. Cooks employed by commercial enterprises are not exempt on that basis.

Sponsorship generally comes from an Indian-registered entity. For certain projects, the Indian entity awarding the contract may act as the sponsor. Applications should normally be submitted in the applicant’s country of nationality or a country where the applicant meets the long-term residence requirement. An overseas company does not automatically qualify as an Indian sponsor merely because it has signed a cross-border employment contract.

Under the standard employment rules, a visa may be granted for up to two years or the shorter assignment period. Highly skilled IT or IT-enabled services professionals may generally receive up to three years, while technical experts covered by an intergovernmental or government-approved cooperation agreement may generally receive up to five years. Each period remains subject to the relevant assignment or agreement. Separate rules apply to certain nationalities, so these periods cannot be applied to every applicant.

Extensions may be available where employment continues and the applicant meets the tax and other applicable requirements. Under the standard route, extensions are generally granted annually, with a total period not exceeding five years from the original issue date. The actual validity period is determined by the issued documentation.

3. Project Visa

The Project Visa is a specific route for designated power and steel projects. It does not apply to every engineering, IT implementation, or consulting project. Applicants must have the required professional skills, while the Indian project entity must meet the applicable industry workforce limits and project responsibilities.

The initial visa is generally granted for up to one year or the shorter project or contract period and may permit multiple entries. Eligible applicants may receive a further one-year extension, while any additional extension is decided by the relevant authorities.

The visa cannot be used for another project. Additional permission is required where the project site is located in a protected or restricted area. After a project is completed or changed, the holder cannot move directly to another project and continue working.

2. Entry, Dependants, and Other Arrangements

1. Entry and Stay

Where an Employment Visa includes a registration requirement, the holder must complete FRRO or FRO registration as required. If the Employment Visa is valid for more than 180 days, registration is generally required within 14 days of entry.

Registration, address updates, and extensions of stay are not completed automatically when the visa is issued. The right to begin work, remain in India, and depart must be confirmed from the individual’s endorsements and approvals.

2. Dependants and Other Immigration Statuses

Eligible family members of Employment Visa holders generally apply under the E-X dependant category linked to the Employment Visa. Their validity normally corresponds with the principal applicant’s status, but dependant status does not automatically grant work rights.

Study, internships, and conferences each have their own eligibility requirements. Accompanying a principal applicant cannot replace the authorization required for those activities.

3. Renewals, Changes, Termination, and Status Maintenance

An unexpired visa does not automatically authorize continued employment or residence after resignation or project completion. The holder should not begin working for a new employer or move to another project before the new status is approved.

4. How sailglobal Can Help

If your company plans to send employees to India for business visits, local employment, technical services, specific industry projects, or accompanying-family arrangements, sailglobal can help you understand the applicable route and application requirements based on the individual’s status, responsibilities, salary, sponsoring entity, and travel plans.

Visa, work authorization, registration, and residence applications are independently assessed by the relevant authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee approval or a fixed issuance date.