Moving to India

Open to former Indian citizens, and to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of a person who was an Indian citizen (or was eligible to become one on 26 January 1950), plus minor children of such persons and foreign-national spouses of Indian citizens/OCI holders married at least two years. CRITICAL AND WIDELY MISUNDERSTOOD: OCI is a registered immigration status, not citizenship and not dual citizenship. OCI holders cannot vote, hold an Indian passport, stand for public office, hold constitutional posts, or take government employment, and need special permission for research, missionary, journalistic and mountaineering activity and for visiting Protected/Restricted areas. It does confer a lifelong visa, exemption from FRRO/foreigner registration, and parity with non-resident Indians in most financial, economic and educational matters (but not for purchase of agricultural or plantation land). Excludes anyone who is, or whose parents/grandparents/great-grandparents were, a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh. India does not permit dual citizenship: under Article 9 of the Constitution and the Citizenship Act 1955, voluntarily acquiring a foreign nationality terminates Indian citizenship automatically. OCI is the substitute India offers instead of dual citizenship, and holding it never confers citizenship status. Registration fee roughly USD 275 abroad.

Requires a signed contract with a registered Indian company or organisation for a skilled/qualified role that cannot readily be filled locally; the visa is tied to that one employer and job. Minimum gross salary of INR 16.25 lakh per year (approx. EUR 17,000; the threshold is often quoted in older sources as 'about USD 25,000', which reflects historic exchange rates rather than the current value). Narrow exemptions exist for language teachers, ethnic cooks, embassy staff and certain NGO/charitable roles. Not available for routine, clerical or unskilled work. Normally issued for up to 5 years, multiple entry, extendable in India; mandatory FRRO registration within 14 days if the stay exceeds 180 days. Does not lead to Indian citizenship in any practical sense: naturalisation requires roughly 12 years of residence (11 of the preceding 14, plus 12 months continuous) and India bars dual nationality, so an applicant would have to surrender their existing citizenship.

Applicant must demonstrate a genuine business purpose — setting up a venture or industrial undertaking, buying or selling industrial products, recruiting manpower, attending trade fairs, or serving as a partner/director. Requires proof of financial standing and expertise, plus an invitation or supporting letter from the Indian counterpart. For the start-up strand: incorporation of an Indian company, documented funding or investment, and a business/innovation plan. Business visas are commonly issued for 5 years (up to 10 for US nationals), multiple entry, generally with a per-visit stay cap of 180 days; FRRO registration required for longer continuous stays. A business visa does not permit taking salaried employment with an Indian company — that requires an Employment Visa. No route to Indian citizenship in practice; India prohibits dual citizenship and naturalisation requires around 12 years' residence plus renunciation of existing nationality.

Requires an admission/confirmation letter from a recognised Indian educational institution, proof of ability to fund tuition and living costs, and no adverse security findings. Issued for the duration of the course, typically up to 5 years, and extendable within India. FRRO registration required within 14 days for stays over 180 days. Limited or no work rights during study; converting to an Employment Visa normally requires leaving India and applying afresh, though some in-country conversions are permitted for graduates recruited by Indian firms. Does not create a residence-accumulation right toward settlement; India has no general permanent-residence scheme for ordinary migrants and bars dual citizenship.

Granted to a foreign national who is the spouse or dependent child/parent of an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder, or the holder of an Employment/Business/Student visa; also available to persons of Indian origin who have not registered for OCI. Requires proof of the relationship (marriage or birth certificate, apostilled/attested) or documentary proof of Indian origin, plus evidence of the principal's status. Usually issued for up to 5 years and extendable; FRRO registration required for stays over 180 days. Does not itself confer work rights — spouses generally need their own Employment Visa to work. Spouses of Indian citizens married at least two years may instead register for OCI, which is the more durable status. Indian citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of marriage requires around 7 years of residence and renunciation of existing nationality, as India permits no dual citizenship.