Business Travel
A professional trip to India requires obtaining a work or business visa, issued by Indian consular authorities. As a rapidly growing economic power, India attracts many professionals across sectors like tech, healthcare, industry, education, and international trade.
What Can You Do with a Business Visa?
Depending on the type of visa obtained, you can:
- Work for a company or institution based in India under a contract or secondment;
- Carry out a professional or technical assignment for a foreign employer;
- Attend conferences, meetings, trade fairs, or training programs;
- Conduct business prospecting, contract signings, or audits;
- Teach, consult, or collaborate in educational or scientific institutions.
Types of Business Visas
- Employment Visa (E-Visa): For foreign nationals hired by an Indian-registered company or organization (salary and qualification requirements apply);
- Business Visa: For professionals engaged in commercial activities without a local employment contract (meetings, negotiations, unpaid project work);
- Intern Visa: For company internships, generally limited to one year;
- Conference Visa: For attending conferences, seminars, or forums approved by Indian authorities.
Requirements
- Provide an invitation letter or contract from a registered Indian entity;
- Demonstrate specific skills and qualifications (for work visas);
- Show proof of sufficient funds, a return ticket, and health insurance;
- For some visas (e.g. Employment Visa), a minimum annual salary is required (generally US$25,000, with exceptions for NGOs, rare languages, etc.);
- Applications must be submitted to the consulate or via the official Indian visa platform, with a processing time of 1 to 4 weeks.
Eligible Profiles
- Expatriate executives or technical experts hired by Indian or multinational companies;
- Foreign consultants, project managers, or technicians dispatched for installation or supervision;
- Entrepreneurs and sales representatives exploring or developing the Indian market;
- Researchers, teachers, or guest lecturers invited by universities or research centers;
- Participants in trade fairs, expos, or professional events without local paid activities.