India continues to be a leading destination for global expansion, offering a vast, English-speaking workforce and a growing economy across sectors such as IT, engineering, life sciences, and finance. But while the business case for entering India is clear, navigating the country’s immigration framework can be complex.

Access Financial’s immigration and work visa services in India enable international employers to engage talent compliantly – without establishing a local legal entity.

Why India?

• Access to one of the largest talent pools globally, with deep technical and professional expertise
• Cost-effective hiring, particularly in technology, R&D, and back-office functions
• A government that is increasingly open to foreign investment and mobility, supported by bilateral trade and migration agreements

Yet India’s immigration rules require precision, especially when it comes to visa eligibility, salary thresholds, and mandatory foreigner registration.

Types of work and business visas in India

Employment Visa (E‑Visa)

This is the most common visa for foreign nationals working in India. It is suitable for:

• Skilled professionals or intra-company transferees
• Roles attracting a minimum annual salary of INR 1.625 million (approx. USD 19,500)
• Valid for up to five years, with renewals possible

Note: Foreigners hired for roles in IT or ITeS may qualify for longer initial validity and streamlined processing.

Business Visa

Designed for attending meetings, negotiations, or short-term consulting. It cannot be used for employment, and doing so can lead to visa cancellation or blacklisting.

Project Visa

Issued for foreign professionals working on specific government-sanctioned or industrial projects, especially in the power or infrastructure sectors.

Registration requirements: FRRO & e-FRRO

Foreign nationals holding long-term visas (exceeding 180 days) must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival.

Thanks to the e-FRRO platform, much of the process can now be completed online, although biometric submission and local police verification may still apply.

Failure to register properly can result in penalties or travel restrictions.

Key 2025 developments

PIO Card Transition

Holders of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards must convert to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards by December 2025, after several deadline extensions.

UK–India Mobility Agreement

Under the India–UK Free Trade Agreement signed in May 2025, mobility for skilled professionals has been eased in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and legal services. This includes faster visa processing for qualifying applicants.

Stricter Enforcement

Authorities continue to crack down on those working illegally on tourist or business visas, underscoring the need for compliant visa categories and clear documentation.

Why partner with Access Financial?

At Access Financial, we ensure that every step of your immigration process in India is handled efficiently, compliantly, and with minimal disruption to business.

Our Services Include:

• Visa category selection and eligibility screening

• Preparation and submission of visa applications via Indian missions or FRRO

• Document support: employment contracts, sponsorship letters, academic verification

• Registration with FRRO or e-FRRO, including renewals and address changes

• Support for dependants, bank accounts, PAN cards, and other onboarding requirements

• Regular compliance updates and proactive renewal management

Compliance matters

Employing or placing workers in India without the correct visa or registration can result in:

• Visa cancellation or deportation
• Monetary fines and blacklisting of the employee or employer
• Project delays due to immigration bottlenecks
• Reputational damage and contract risk for non-compliant recruitment agencies

Who can benefit?

• Startups and SMEs entering India on a lean business model
• Recruitment and staffing agencies placing foreign professionals
• Multinational corporations managing remote or on-site teams
• Global mobility teams relocating staff for short or long-term assignments

Start your expansion with confidence

India offers immense opportunities, but immigration and work visa compliance is essential for success. Whether you need to onboard a single specialist or scale a team, Access Financial provides proper, end-to-end visa and registration support, backed by years of local and international experience.

Get in touch to learn how we can simplify immigration to India for your business.

Want to know more? Download our free India relocation guide 2025