Moving to India — Relocation Guide

A subcontinent of incredible diversity, spirituality, and chaos.

India at a Glance

India is not a country in the conventional sense; it is a subcontinent of 1.4 billion people, 22 officially recognized languages, and a cultural diversity that spans from the snow-capped Himalayas to tropical Kerala backwaters, from the Thar Desert to the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans. The sensory experience is overwhelming: colors, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures assault you from every direction, simultaneously beautiful and chaotic. English is the associate official language and the lingua franca of business, technology, higher education, and government, making it one of the easier countries in Asia for English speakers to navigate professionally. The cost of living is extraordinarily low, with a comfortable lifestyle available for a fraction of Western prices. India's tech sector, centered in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurgaon, is globally significant and drives a modern, cosmopolitan urban culture that coexists with ancient traditions. Bureaucracy is legendary in its complexity; the phrase 'jugaad' (a creative workaround or improvised solution) captures the national approach to navigating systems that do not work as designed. Pollution, particularly in Delhi and northern cities, is a serious health concern from November through February. Traffic in major cities operates on rules that exist in theory but are treated as suggestions in practice. Cows have right of way, auto-rickshaws weave through gaps that seem impossible, and crossing the street in Mumbai rush hour is a skill acquired through practice and nerve. For those who can embrace the intensity, India offers professional opportunities, spiritual depth, culinary brilliance, and human connections that are simply unavailable anywhere else on earth. It will change you, one way or another.

Relocation Realities

Life & Economics

Extremely low cost of living with wide inequality. High lifestyle variance.

Housing

Gated communities preferred by expats. Contracts flexible but informal.

Work & Income

Strong tech sector. Bureaucracy heavy.

Healthcare

Excellent private healthcare at low cost. Public system overstretched.

Taxes & Social System

Moderate taxes. Limited welfare effectiveness.

Climate & Seasons

Extreme heat, monsoon rains, and mild winters.

Who Is India For?

For those who thrive in sensory overload, want access to a booming tech sector and world-class private healthcare at rock-bottom prices, and have the resilience to navigate intense bureaucracy and vast inequality.

Visa Options for India

E-Visa (Tourist / Business / Conference) — Applied online through the Indian e-Visa portal. Available to citizens of most countries. Tourist e-visa allows up to 180 days of continuous stay (for 1-year and 5-year variants). Business e-visa covers meetings, trade fairs, and conferences. Multiple entry is standard. Processing takes 72 hours to 5 business days. Cannot be extended or converted in-country.
Employment Visa — For foreign nationals employed by an Indian company or the Indian branch of a multinational. Requires a minimum annual salary of $25,000 USD (exceptions for specific sectors like education and ethnic cooks). The employer provides a sponsorship letter. Applied for at the Indian consulate in your country of residence. Cannot be applied for from within India.
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) — A lifelong, multi-purpose visa for foreign nationals who were formerly Indian citizens, or whose parents or grandparents were Indian citizens. Grants visa-free travel, the right to live and work in India indefinitely, and parity with Indian citizens in most matters (except voting, government employment, and purchasing agricultural land). The most powerful immigration status available to the diaspora.
Research Visa — For foreign nationals conducting research in India. Requires institutional affiliation with a recognized Indian university or research body, a detailed research proposal, and government clearance (which can take months). Mandatory for any formal academic research activity.
Business Visa (Regular) — For those conducting business activities that do not constitute employment (setting up business, attending meetings, purchasing goods, exploring investment opportunities). Requires proof of business credentials and an invitation from an Indian business entity. More flexible than the e-Business visa for frequent travelers.

Key Requirements for Moving to India

FRRO Registration (Foreigners Regional Registration Office)

Foreigners holding long-term visas (employment, student, research, missionary, or any visa exceeding 180 days) must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival. Registration is now done online through the e-FRRO portal.

PAN Card (Permanent Account Number)

A 10-digit alphanumeric tax identification number issued by the Income Tax Department. Required for any financial transaction above specified thresholds, including employment income.

Aadhaar Card (Biometric ID)

A 12-digit unique identification number linked to biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan), issued by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). Available to residents who have stayed in India for 182 or more days in the preceding 12 months.

Bank Account

Opening an Indian bank account requires your passport, valid visa, FRRO registration certificate, PAN card (or Form 60 declaration), and proof of Indian address. Major banks include State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

Culture in India

Indian culture is collective, hierarchical, and deeply spiritual, shaped by thousands of years of Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Sikh, and other traditions. The concept of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (the guest is God) shapes social interactions; Indians are extraordinarily hospitable and generous to visitors. Personal questions that would be considered intrusive in Western cultures (your salary, marital status, age, plans for children) are normal conversation starters and are meant as expressions of interest, not rudeness. The head wobble, a distinctive side-to-side head movement, can mean 'yes,' 'no,' 'maybe,' 'I understand,' or 'go on' depending on context, speed, and accompanying expression. It takes time to read but becomes natural. Family is paramount; career decisions, living arrangements, and social life all revolve around family obligations and expectations. India celebrates festivals from every major religion with extraordinary enthusiasm: Diwali (Festival of Lights), Holi (Festival of Colors), Eid, Christmas, Pongal, Onam, Baisakhi, and dozens more create a calendar of celebrations that is unmatched anywhere in the world.

Always use your right hand for eating, passing objects, and greeting. The left hand is associated with personal hygiene and is considered unclean.
Remove your shoes before entering homes, temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. Look for shoes at the entrance as your cue.
Do not point your feet at people or religious objects, and apologize immediately if you accidentally touch someone with your foot. Feet are considered the lowest and most impure part of the body.
Address elders and superiors with respect. 'Uncle' and 'Aunty' are standard terms for older acquaintances (not just relatives). Using first names with elders is considered disrespectful unless they specifically invite it.
IST (Indian Standard Time) is jokingly called 'Indian Stretchable Time.' Punctuality is valued in multinational business settings but is flexible in social and domestic contexts. When someone says '10 minutes,' prepare for 30-60.

Common Mistakes When Moving to India

Wearing revealing clothing, especially for women. Modesty is valued across most of India. Cover shoulders and knees as a baseline in public, particularly in temples, rural areas, and conservative neighborhoods.
Displaying public affection. Kissing and overt physical intimacy in public are frowned upon and can attract unwanted attention or even police intervention in conservative areas. Hand-holding is generally acceptable in cosmopolitan neighborhoods.
Addressing elders or superiors by their first name without invitation. Use 'Sir,' 'Ma'am,' 'Uncle,' 'Aunty,' or professional titles until explicitly told otherwise.
Giving money directly to beggars, especially children. It perpetuates exploitative begging networks. Donate to established charities like Goonj, CRY, or Akshaya Patra that work on systemic solutions.
Underestimating distances and travel times. A destination '15 km away' in Bengaluru or Mumbai can take 60-90 minutes in traffic. Always add a generous buffer, especially for airport runs and meetings.

Things to Know About India

Air Pollution: Air quality in Delhi and northern Indian cities is hazardous from November through February, with PM2.5 levels regularly exceeding 300-500 (the WHO safe limit is 15). Invest in a quality air purifier (Blueair, Coway, Xiaomi) for your home, carry N95 masks, and monitor AQI daily. Consider this a serious health factor in choosing which city to live in.
Stomach Adjustment: 'Delhi Belly' is a rite of passage. Gastrointestinal issues are extremely common for newcomers. Start slowly with cooked food, drink only bottled or filtered water, wash fruit with purified water, avoid raw salads from unknown sources, and carry oral rehydration salts. Most people adapt within 2-4 weeks.
Traffic and Road Safety: Indian traffic operates on informal rules. Cows have right of way, lane markings are decorative, and horn usage is constant. Do not attempt to drive yourself in Indian cities until you are experienced with local driving culture. Use Ola, Uber, or hire a driver.
Scams and Tourist Targeting: In tourist areas, common scams include 'the tourist office has burned down,' 'your hotel is closed,' and taxi/auto-rickshaw overcharging. Use prepaid taxi counters at airports, book through apps, and ignore touts. Once you are established as a resident rather than a tourist, this pressure largely disappears.
Bureaucratic Complexity: Indian bureaucracy is multi-layered, often requiring visits to multiple offices with stacks of documents. The phrase 'come back tomorrow' is a genuine possibility at every counter. Hiring a local fixer or agent for complex processes (vehicle registration, property transactions, visa formalities) saves enormous time and frustration.