India: e-Production Investment Visa Replaces e-Production-Linked Incentive Visa

The situation

India has replaced the e-Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Visa with the e-Production Investment Visa (eB4), creating a unified, expanded category for foreign specialists. Through this replacement, the government has expanded the scope of this visa category to all companies (whether PLI or non-PLI), fully replacing the earlier e-PLI Visa.

A closer look

• Eligibility. Nationals e-visa eligible countries can apply for this visa category.
• Expanded company eligibility. Eligibility has been expanded to all Indian companies, whereas the e-PLI visa was restricted to Indian manufacturing companies registered under specific government investment schemes such as Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Electronic and Components Manufacturing (EMC).
• Allowable stay period. The eB4 Visa is issued for a maximum of six months and allows multiple entries. The eB4 visa does not permit employment in India.
• Allowable activities.
  • • The specialized visa category is designed to facilitate the short-term entry of foreign professionals in setting up, expanding or operationalizing production facilities, including activities linked to manufacturing, installation, technical supervision and project execution.
    • Certain activities that previously required an Employment Visa (such as Installation and Commissioning of equipment under supply contracts and activities for which Indian entities remit fees or royalties) have been reclassified under the eB4 category. This means that foreign nationals who would have previously needed an Employment Visa can now apply under the eB4 visa (if they qualify).
• Online registration requirement. Indian companies seeking to bring in foreign subject matter specialists under the eB4 Visa register on the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal. Upon successful registration, a Sponsorship Letter is generated digitally with a unique reference number through the system, which is a mandatory document for foreign nationals applying for the e-Production Investment Visa. This represents a transition from a paper-based approval mechanism to a fully digitized system, with the objective of streamlining procedures and reducing processing timelines.
• FRRO Registration. Foreign nationals entering India under this visa category must register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 calendar days of arrival in India. They should not travel outside of India until the registration process is completed.

Background

The changes are part of a government-wide digitalization effort to improve regulatory processes, and to implement end-to-end automated visa processing and real time approvals. The ultimate goal is to create an easier business environment in India.

Looking ahead

The eB4 Visa and related policy reforms are early indicators of a broader, long-term restructuring designed to make India one of the world’s most competitive destinations for foreign investment, particularly in manufacturing, industrial expansion and global supply-chain integration. We will track and report future developments.

Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.