India Work Permit & Employment Visa Guide 2026 | Employment Visa, OCI Card, New Tax Regime
India work permit and employment visa requirements 2026 — Employment Visa (USD 25,000/yr min), Business Visa (5yr multi), OCI Card, New Tax Regime (0–30%) — complete guide with Mumbai/Bangalore expat-area rents, EPF contributions, and full fee tables.
India is the world's most populous country, with a rapidly growing economy in IT, finance, and manufacturing drawing international professionals to Mumbai, Bangalore (Bengaluru), Delhi, and Hyderabad. The startup ecosystem has also expanded dramatically in recent years. Note that visa requirements can vary by nationality — always verify current requirements with the nearest Indian consulate.
Main Visa Types
Employment Visa (E Visa) ｜ BoI Official: Employment Visa Requirements
For foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer from an Indian employer.
- Minimum annual salary: USD 25,000+ (some exemptions for IT, healthcare, education roles)
- Validity: 1 year initially, renewable up to 5 years
- An Indian-registered employer (sponsor) is required
Business Visa (B Visa) ｜ BoI Official: Business Visa Requirements
For commercial and business travel — direct employment or receiving salary in India is not permitted.
- Validity: up to 5 years (multi-entry)
- Suitable for meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and consultations
e-Visa (Electronic Visa) ｜ Apply: India e-Visa Official Portal
Electronic visa for tourism, short-term business, medical, and conference purposes — available to nationals of 171+ countries.
- Validity: 30 days, 60 days, or 365 days (tourism)
- Valid at 27 major Indian airports and 5 major seaports
- Fully online application — no consulate visit required
Intra-Company Transfer
For multinational employees relocating to an Indian group company — typically processed as an Employment Visa variant.
OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India)
For persons of Indian origin (former Indian nationals, children/grandchildren of Indian citizens, or spouses).
- Lifelong multiple-entry visa: with no time limit per visit
- Near-equal rights to Indian citizens for work, study, and property ownership (excluding agricultural land)
- OCI rights have been progressively expanded by the Indian government
Tax System in Detail
Personal Income Tax — New Tax Regime (FY 2025-26)
India has two regimes: New (default since FY 2024-25) and Old (with deductions/exemptions). Most expats use the New Regime.
| Taxable Income (INR) | New Regime Rate |
|---|---|
| 0–300,000 | 0% |
| 300,001–700,000 | 5% |
| 700,001–1,000,000 | 10% |
| 1,000,001–1,200,000 | 15% |
| 1,200,001–1,500,000 | 20% |
| Above 1,500,000 | 30% |
- Standard deduction: INR 75,000 (New Regime) / INR 50,000 (Old Regime)
- Tax Rebate (Section 87A): If total income is ≤ INR 700,000, rebate of up to INR 25,000 — effectively zero tax below this threshold
- Non-residents (RNOR/NR): Taxed only on India-sourced income
Social Insurance & EPF
| Category | Employee | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) | 12% | 12% (split across EPF/EPS/EDLI) |
| ESI (salary ≤ INR 21,000/month) | 0.75% | 3.25% |
Foreign assignees may be exempt from EPF as "International Workers" — check the India-Japan Social Security Agreement for potential double-contribution relief.
Expat-Area Rents (2026)
| Area | Type | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai – Bandra West (expat favourite) | 2BR | INR 80,000–150,000 |
| Mumbai – Powai (IT, residential) | 2BR | INR 60,000–100,000 |
| Bangalore – Koramangala (startup hub) | 2BR | INR 50,000–90,000 |
| Bangalore – Indiranagar | 2BR | INR 45,000–80,000 |
| Gurugram / Gurgaon (Delhi NCR, Japanese hub) | 2BR | INR 40,000–80,000 |
Mumbai's Bandra West is the premium expat area with international dining, serviced apartments, and secure housing. Bangalore's Koramangala is India's startup capital with a large international tech community. Gurugram (Delhi NCR) is the main hub for Japanese companies, Japanese schools, and Japanese restaurants.
Fee Table
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Employment Visa (E Visa) | ~USD 80–160 |
| Business Visa (B Visa) | ~USD 80–160 |
| OCI Card | ~USD 275 |
| e-FRRO registration | Free (online) |
Pre-Move Checklist
- e-FRRO Registration: Employment Visa holders must register within 14 days of arrival via the e-FRRO online portal. Update required every time your address changes
- PAN Card: India's Permanent Account Number — required for employment, banking, property transactions, and investments. Apply using Form 49AA (foreign national version)
- AADHAAR Card: India's 12-digit national ID. Resident foreigners (6+ months of stay) may apply — useful for mobile SIMs and various services
- Private health insurance: ESI and government healthcare are not available to most foreign nationals — international health insurance is strongly recommended
- Choose gated community housing: Gated residential communities or serviced apartments offer stable utilities, security, and maintenance. Security deposits in India are typically 10–11 months of rent
Use MoveWorth to simulate your tax burden and living costs in India.
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References
This article is based on the following official sources.
- Employment Visa (E Visa) — official info: Bureau of Immigration – Employment Visa
- Business Visa (B Visa) — official info: Bureau of Immigration – Business Visa
- e-Visa application: Indian Visa Online – e-Visa Official Portal
- Bureau of Immigration (BoI): India Bureau of Immigration – Official Portal
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