Relocating to India — Visa, Setup & Shipping Guide

India hosts a large population of returning Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI cardholders) and foreign professionals. The main entry routes for non-Indian nationals are the Employment visa (sponsored by an Indian employer), the Business visa, the X (Entry) visa for spouses and dependants, and the OCI card for those of Indian origin. This guide is a planning-level overview — always work with a licensed Indian immigration adviser and confirm current rules with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and your local FRRO.

Main visa routes

Employment visa — for foreign nationals coming to work for an Indian-registered employer at qualifying salary thresholds.
Business visa — for short business activities; not for paid employment.
X (Entry) visa — for spouses, dependants and persons of Indian origin not eligible for OCI.
OCI card — long-term, multiple-entry status for foreign nationals of Indian origin and certain spouses; not citizenship.
Student visa — for studies at recognised institutions.
Research and Project visas — narrower categories with specific conditions.

Your first 30 days on the ground

Register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival if your visa requires it.
Apply for a PAN card (taxpayer ID) — required for banking, salary and most financial transactions.
Apply for Aadhaar where eligible — increasingly required for utilities, mobile SIMs and services.
Open an Indian bank account — NRO/NRE accounts for NRIs; standard resident accounts after PAN/KYC for foreigners.
Sign a leave-and-licence agreement (the typical urban rental contract).
Enrol children in school — international (IB, Cambridge), CBSE, ICSE or state-board options vary by city.

Healthcare, schools and tax basics

India has a mixed public/private healthcare system. Most expats and middle-class residents use private hospitals and private health insurance. Schools span national boards (CBSE, ICSE), state boards, IB and Cambridge international curricula, plus dedicated international schools in major metros (Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune).

Tax residency is determined by physical-presence tests. Indian residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Indian-source income. Returning NRIs should plan their RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident) transition years carefully and consult a chartered accountant familiar with cross-border returns.

Shipping personal effects to India

The Transfer of Residence (TR) concession allows returning Indian nationals and qualifying foreign nationals to import used household goods at a concessional rate after a continuous stay abroad of at least 2 years (subject to current rules). The TR concession has limits, exclusions and specific documentation requirements; new electronics and certain high-value items have separate duty rules. JNPT (Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai and Kolkata are major ocean-freight ports; Delhi-NCR and Mumbai handle most air freight. Confirm current rules with Indian Customs and a licensed customs broker.

How The Expats Hub helps with country relocations

For India, the practical sequence below works well: country-level moves involve coordinated decisions across visas, banking, schools, housing and shipping — and the order in which you make them matters. We help newcomers map a realistic 90–180 day plan, vet local advisors and avoid the most common sequencing mistakes (such as shipping before residency is confirmed, or signing leases before opening a local bank account).

Lane-aware shipping quotes that reflect customs realities, not just freight cost.
Introductions to vetted immigration, tax and real-estate advisors in-country.
Checklists for first 30/60/90 days so nothing slips through the cracks.

Planning a move to India?

Get a verified shipping quote into Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or Chennai — with Transfer of Residence concession guidance.

Get a Verified Move Quote

Frequently asked questions

What is FRRO and do I need to register?

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office is where most longer-stay foreign nationals register after arrival. Whether you must register depends on your visa type and length of stay — your visa stamp will state requirements. The current threshold for many categories is registration within 14 days.

What is OCI and is it citizenship?

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) is a long-term, multiple-entry status for foreign nationals of Indian origin and certain spouses. It is not Indian citizenship and OCI holders cannot vote, hold constitutional office, buy agricultural land or work in some restricted roles. It does grant most other rights of long-term residence.

How does the Transfer of Residence concession work?

TR allows qualifying returning residents to import used household goods at concessional duty rates after a minimum continuous stay abroad (currently 2 years). It has specific eligibility, time-since-last-claim and item-list rules. Engage a licensed customs broker before shipping.

Do I need a PAN before I arrive?

PAN can be applied for from abroad and is highly recommended. Without it you cannot easily open a salary account, sign for a salary, or transact significant amounts.

Where do most expats settle?

Mumbai (Bandra, Powai), Delhi-NCR (Vasant Vihar, Gurgaon DLF/Golf Course, Noida sectors 50+), Bengaluru (Indiranagar, Koramangala, Whitefield), Hyderabad (HITEC City) and Chennai are the main expat hubs, driven mostly by employer location.

Related guides

This guide is general information for planning purposes only. Visa, customs, tax, school admissions and shipping rules change. Always confirm requirements with the relevant government authority, school or licensed advisor before making decisions.