Republic of India · work sponsored

India Employment Visa

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Visa for highly skilled foreign professionals engaged by an Indian or foreign company to work in India.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyTypically up to two years or the assignment term for most employment, up to three years for IT/ITES assignments, and extendable year-to-year up to five years.
Processing time
Indicative only. Apply through an Indian mission or the Indian Visa Online portal; confirm current timelines on the official page before applying.
Government fees
Indicative only. Fees vary by nationality and duration; refer to the official Indian Visa Online portal for the current schedule.
Typical duration
Typically up to two years or the assignment term for most employment, up to three years for IT/ITES assignments, and extendable year-to-year up to five years.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No

In short

As of 25 July 2026, the India Employment Visa for Republic of India is a sponsor-led India immigration route. Sources: official Republic of India government pages, reviewed 25 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/india/employment-visa#answer

What is the India Employment Visa in Republic of India?

India Employment Visa is a sponsor-led India route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. Fees vary by nationality and duration; refer to the official Indian Visa Online portal for the current schedule; indicative processing time is Indicative only. Apply through an Indian mission or the Indian Visa Online portal; confirm current timelines on the official page before applying; typical duration is Typically up to two years or the assignment term for most employment, up to three years for IT/ITES assignments, and extendable year-to-year up to five years. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministry of Home Affairs (India) on 22 June 2026.

Overview

The Employment Visa is issued to highly skilled and qualified professionals engaged or appointed by a company, organisation, industry or undertaking in India. The Bureau of Immigration sets a gross salary floor above Rs. 16.25 lakh per annum for most sectors (certain notified sectors and roles are exempt), and the visa is tied to the sponsoring employer. Foreign nationals on long-stay Employment Visas must register with the FRRO/FRO after arrival.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Secure a qualifying job offer

    Obtain an appointment from an Indian or foreign company that meets the skilled-professional and salary criteria.

  2. Apply for the Employment Visa

    Submit the application via the Indian Visa Online portal and the relevant Indian mission.

  3. Travel to India on the visa

    Enter India within the visa validity and carry supporting employment documents.

  4. Register with the FRRO/FRO

    Complete registration after arrival where required for the stay duration.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For India Employment Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in India. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official India Employment Visa route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for India Employment Visa.

    Ministry of Home Affairs (India) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can I change employer on an India Employment Visa?+

Generally no. Change of employer is only permitted in limited group-company situations, at senior or skilled levels, and requires prior Ministry of Home Affairs permission.

Is there a minimum salary for an India Employment Visa?+

Yes. Foreigners employed in most sectors must draw a gross salary above Rs. 16.25 lakh per annum, although certain sectors notified by the Government of India are exempt from this floor.

Can I move to India on an Employment Visa before I have a job offer?+

No. The Employment Visa is tied to a sponsoring employer, and the pathway begins with securing a qualifying job offer before you apply. You must hold a valid contract or appointment letter from the sponsoring entity, so you cannot move first and look for work afterwards.

Does an India Employment Visa lead to permanent residence or settlement?+

No. The Employment Visa does not lead to settlement. It is generally issued for one to five years tied to your employment contract and is renewable, but it is not a route to permanent residence.

Can I be refused an Employment Visa if many qualified Indians could do my job?+

Yes, this can be a blocker. A typical criterion is that the role is not one for which large numbers of qualified Indians are available, so routine, clerical or unskilled work that does not meet the skilled-professional test is a common reason an application does not qualify. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.

Can I change employer on an India Employment Visa?+

Generally no. Change of employer is only permitted in limited group-company situations, at senior or skilled levels, and requires prior Ministry of Home Affairs permission.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministry of Home Affairs (India)

Last checked: 22 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology