Frequently asked questions

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is India’s unique ten-character tax identifier. The Income Tax Department issues it for tax procedures and certain financial transactions.

Foreign nationals can also obtain a PAN. A PAN alone does not grant permission to work or live in India, or to open any bank account. Separate requirements apply.

Form C reports that a foreign guest is staying at a particular address. The current rules call it Form III, while the official portal still uses the name Form C.

The host files it. This can be a hotel, guesthouse or anyone providing accommodation, including a landlord. Arrival and departure must each be reported within 24 hours. Check with the property owner before moving in to find out how they will file it.

A Rent Agreement or Lease Agreement sets out the terms for using a flat, house, office or other premises. It identifies the parties, address, rental term, rent, deposit and refund terms.

Before signing, check utility payments, repairs, notice, early termination and each party’s responsibilities. Registration and stamp duty requirements depend on the term, conditions and state rules. Notarisation and registration with the authorities are separate procedures.

No. The rental agreement governs your relationship with the property owner. Form C reports a foreign guest’s accommodation to the authorities. FRRO/FRO registration records the foreign national’s immigration details when required.

Each serves a separate purpose. Copies of the rental agreement and accommodation notice may be needed for some applications, depending on the procedure.

Permitted activities include holidays, sightseeing, travel within India and private visits to friends or relatives. Short yoga programmes and informal courses of up to six months may be permitted if they do not lead to a diploma or qualification and fit within your visa’s conditions. Unpaid volunteering for up to one month may also be permitted, with no remuneration in any form.

A tourist visa does not cover employment, paid work, business as the purpose of the visit or formal study leading to a diploma or qualification.

If planned medical treatment is the main reason for your visit, check in advance whether you need a medical visa.

Permitted activities include negotiations, meetings with partners or suppliers and attending trade exhibitions. You can research the market, prepare to set up a business and discuss purchases or supplies.

Employment in India requires checking the Employment Visa rules. A business visa does not cover carrying out contract work for which an employment or other visa category is required.

Some conferences and other specific purposes have separate subcategories. Check the application rules and ask the organiser which category applies.

You can travel for treatment arranged with an Indian clinic, including tests and procedures that are part of that treatment. The relevant subcategory also covers treatment under India’s AYUSH systems.

A medical visa does not cover employment, business, study or tourism as the main purpose of entry. Someone travelling only to accompany a patient can apply under the separate e-Medical Attendant category.

An e-Medical Visa requires a letter from an Indian clinic giving the confirmed or expected date of treatment or admission.

Validity is the period during which you can use the visa. Permitted stay is how long you can spend in India on one trip and in total during the calendar year. Check how many entries are allowed too.

A visa valid for one or five years does not allow you to stay in India for that entire period without leaving. Check the conditions on your visa or ETA and any endorsements made on entry.

The 30-day e-Tourist Visa permits a stay of 30 days from first entry. On one-year and five-year tourist e-Visas, total stay is limited to 180 days per calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December.

For most nationalities, one continuous stay is limited to 90 days. Exceptions apply to nationals of the US, UK, Canada and Japan. Regular tourist visas and some subcategories may have different conditions. Check the limit for your nationality and visa.

For the standard e-Business Visa subcategory (e-B1), the portal states a limit of 180 continuous days per visit. If you plan to stay longer, the portal provides for FRRO/FRO registration within two weeks after reaching 180 days from arrival.

Business visa holders also have to register if their total stay exceeds 180 days in a calendar year. A regular Business Visa may specify a separate limit per visit. Keep track of both limits and check how to register before you reach either. Registration does not extend the visa or change its conditions.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and the FRO handle foreign national registration and visa matters in India. eFRRO is the official online service for submitting the relevant applications.

The portal offers registration, applications to extend a stay, Exit Permits and other services. What is available depends on the visa and circumstances. The competent authority makes the decision.

There is no single deadline for all visas. Long-term employment, student, research and some other visas allowing a stay of more than 180 days normally require registration within 14 days of entry.

For a Business Visa, check whether your total stay exceeds 180 days in a calendar year. For an e-Business Visa there is also a published registration rule for a continuous stay over 180 days. Some nationalities and visas have special rules. Check whether and when you need to register once your visa is issued and before travelling.

A Business Visa covers permitted business activities such as negotiations, meetings with partners, market research and setting up a business. It does not grant permission to take up employment in India.

An Employment Visa covers work under an employment or relevant professional contract, subject to eligibility. Choose the visa based on what you will actually do. The source of payment alone does not determine the category.

In general, an e-Visa cannot be extended or converted to another category. A tourist visa is also usually non-extendable. The competent authorities consider exceptional cases.

Submitting an application does not by itself allow you to remain beyond your permitted stay. If your plans change, check your options before that period ends.

Besides tourist, business and employment visas, there are student visas, medical visas, visas for medical attendants, Entry Visas and other categories. Each has its own purposes, documents and conditions of stay.

The right category depends on nationality, purpose of travel, planned dates and details of the host or sponsor. Online applications are available according to category and nationality.

We work in India and help clients in other countries remotely.

Yes. You can start with a consultation and plan your trip or move. Whether you need to be there in person depends on the service.

Yes. Tell us about the whole situation, for example your trip, paperwork and support after arrival. We agree on the scope and steps with you individually.

Yes. We provide business consulting and organisational support, and coordinate with specialist advisers in India.

We need details about what you would like to do. Before work begins, we confirm the scope, cost, additional expenses and estimated timing.