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Visa and Work permits
Business visas
Foreign nationals wishing to conduct business transactions in India must obtain a business visa from an Indian embassy or consulate abroad. Business visas may be issued for up to five years, with a multiple entry provision, but usually with a cumulative stay of not more than 180 days. Business visas can be renewed or extended within India. Business and tourist visas are usually not convertible into employment visas while the holder of the relevant visa is in India.

Residential permits
Foreign nationals wishing to work in India must obtain a residential permit from a Foreigners’ Regional Registrar Office (FRRO), which are located in all major cities. A foreign national holding a visa (other than a tourist visa) valid for a period exceeding 180 days is required to be registered with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival in India. Certain categories of people are exempt from registration requirements, including United States nationals with a ten-year tourist/business visa, provided their period of stay is less than 180 days.

Employment visa
Foreign nationals intending to take up employment in India also require an employment visa or work permit issued by Indian missions abroad. The visas are issued for a period of one year, and may be extended in India for the period of the foreign national’s contract of employment.
Income tax clearance certificate Foreign employees are required to register for tax purposes by obtaining a permanent account number with the Indian income tax authorities upon their arrival in India. This is a one-time registration number, which must be included in correspondences with the tax authorities. A person not domiciled in India, intending to stay for more than 120 days, must produce an income tax clearance certificate, which certifies that the person’s stay in India was self-financed.