India

India's immigration system offers pathways for business travel for business visitors, short-term workers, and long-term assignees.

The business "B" Visa is used for business visits, allows multiple entries and may be issued with a validity of up to six months or one year, although certain nationals are eligible for longer validity periods. While a business visa may be valid for entry for an extended period, individual visits on a business visa should not exceed 180 days. Generally, an ideal stay on a "B” visa must not exceed three to four weeks as the activities beyond this period are likely to be construed as work activities for which work authorization may be required. Extensions of business visits may be granted in India in rare cases, but may be granted for up to five years from the visa’s initial date of issuance. Such extensions are discretionary and require approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The "E" Visa is the general employment-based immigration category in India. It is a broadly encompassing category, appropriate for both intercompany transfers and local hires; and it covers many types of employees including professional, skilled, and technical workers, as well as senior managers and executives. The “P” Visa is a narrowly-tailored category for employees that will be working exclusively for an Indian power or steel company on a specific project and at a specific location. Employment visas are generally issued with varying validity periods ranging from three months to one year, based primarily on reciprocity agreements with the foreign national's country of nationality. Employment visas may be extended in country.

Note that foreign nationals entering India pursuant to an employment visa must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office for the location in which they will reside within 14 calendar days of entry and obtain a residence permit. Foreign nationals with multiple passports must generally use the same passport for all their Indian visa applications, subject to certain exceptions. 

Detailed Immigration Snapshots, Document Lists and Process Guides are available to clients on request

Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in India.