India
Republic of India · Capital: New Delhi
A vast, fast-growing economy and the world's IT-services and global-capability-centre hub, with very low costs, a huge English-capable workforce and an e-Visa employment route.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into India.
Policy overview
3 visa routes into India
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
IN-EMP
For skilled foreign professionals employed by an Indian entity above a salary floor.
Eligibility
- Job offer ≥ ~US$25k/yr
- Specialist skills
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Business Visa
EntrepreneurIN-BUS
For founders, investors and those setting up or running a business in India.
Eligibility
- Business purpose
- Funds/partnership
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India)
Permanent residencyIN-OCI
Lifelong residence/work rights for people of Indian origin and their spouses.
Eligibility
- Indian-origin or spouse
- Documentation
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in India, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where India needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
IT & software services
The world's largest IT-services and global-capability-centre base.
Pharma & biotech
A leading global generics and contract-research manufacturer.
Finance & GCCs
Global banks and firms run vast capability centres across the metros.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Bengaluru
India's tech capitalThe Silicon Valley of India, with the deepest tech, startup and GCC ecosystem.
- Cost index
- 34
- 1-bed rent
- $450
- Quality
- 66
Mumbai
Finance & mediaThe financial and entertainment capital, intense, expensive by Indian standards and full of opportunity.
- Cost index
- 40
- 1-bed rent
- $700
- Quality
- 64
Hyderabad
Tech & pharma hubA major tech and pharma centre often rated among India's most liveable big cities.
- Cost index
- 32
- 1-bed rent
- $420
- Quality
- 68
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendWelcoming to foreign professionals and OCI-card holders; bureaucracy can be heavy.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Varies widely; metros need usual precautions, especially for women at night.
Higher = safer (crime index 44/100).
Where to live
Which India city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Hyderabad
Modern & liveable
A major tech and pharma centre often rated among India's most liveable big cities.
Bengaluru
Startup & garden city
The Silicon Valley of India, with the deepest tech, startup and GCC ecosystem.
Mumbai
Maximum city
The financial and entertainment capital, intense, expensive by Indian standards and full of opportunity.
Get expert help
Immigration solicitors for India
Vetted partners who specialise in these routes. Premium partners appear first.
No partner solicitors listed for India yet. Become a partner →
Keep exploring