A salary threshold, and 14 days
Employment Visas & Registration in India
An Indian employment visa carries a minimum salary threshold, and arrival triggers a registration deadline.
GCC business setup specialists
Two specific requirements to plan around
The employment visa is granted for skilled or qualified roles and is subject to a minimum annual salary, which excludes junior and routine positions. Separately, foreign nationals on long-term visas must register with the regional registration authority within a short period after arrival, and the deadline is counted in days rather than weeks. Neither is discretionary, and both are commonly discovered late.
- Salary threshold checked before any offer is made
- Registration deadline flagged before the employee travels
- Business visa limits explained so nobody works on one
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What is available
Visa categories for business
Each with a hard limit.
| Category | Purpose | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | Working for an Indian employer | Minimum annual salary threshold |
| Business visa | Meetings and exploration | Does not permit employment |
| Project visa | Specified sector projects | Tied to the project |
| Investor | No dedicated investor visa | Ownership does not confer a visa |
| Overseas citizen card | Persons of Indian origin | Separate eligibility |
| Registration after arrival | Long-term visa holders | Within days of arrival |
Visa categories, salary thresholds, registration deadlines and eligibility criteria are set by the authorities and change. Yours are confirmed before any application or travel.
How it works
From role to registration
Threshold first, then travel, then register.
01
Check the role and salary
Whether the position qualifies for an employment visa and meets the minimum salary, since many roles do not.
02
Apply before travel
Employment visa applied for in the applicant’s country of residence, with employer documentation supporting it.
03
Register on arrival
Registration completed with the regional authority within the deadline, and renewals tracked thereafter.
Typically required
What the applications need
Employer documentation supports the visa.
- Employment contract stating the salary
- Evidence the salary meets the threshold
- Company incorporation and tax documents
- Justification for a foreign hire
- Applicant passport with sufficient validity
- Qualification and experience evidence
- Photographs to specification
- Proof of the applicant’s residence abroad
- Indian address for the employee
- Registration documents after arrival
- Dependant documents where applicable
- Proof of fee payment
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Role and salary threshold assessment
- Employer documentation for the visa application
- Guidance on the application in the home country
- Registration after arrival within the deadline
- Dependant application co-ordination
- Visa and registration renewal tracking
- Guidance on business visa limits
- Co-ordination with payroll and employment set up
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and visa fees, paid at cost
- Visa decisions by the authorities
- Applications filed in the home country by the applicant
- Document attestation charges
- Medical examinations where required
- Flights and relocation
- Accommodation and schooling
- Personal tax advice
Verify independently
Official Indian authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Reserve Bank of IndiaSecurities and Exchange Board of IndiaEmployees’ Provident Fund OrganisationForeigners Regional Registration OfficeTrade Marks RegistryState labour departments
Questions
India immigration — FAQs
Is there a salary threshold for the employment visa?
Yes, a minimum annual salary applies, which excludes junior and routine roles. It should be checked before any offer is made.
Can someone work on a business visa?
No. A business visa permits meetings, negotiation and exploration but not employment. Working on one is a serious breach.
What is the registration after arrival?
Registration with the regional registration authority, required within a short period after arrival for long-term visa holders. The deadline is counted in days.
Is there an investor visa for India?
There is no dedicated investor visa, and owning an Indian company does not itself confer the right to live or work there.
Can families accompany the employee?
Dependant visas are available subject to conditions, and dependants may also need to register after arrival. We handle both.
Careers
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Tell us which role you are applying for and what you have done that is relevant. If you have UAE or GCC experience, say which jurisdictions and authorities you have worked with.
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For founders and business decision-makers considering paid business services. Not for job applications, employment searches or personal visa-only requests.
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At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
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