--- title: Moving to India: Visas, Costs & Immigrant Guide description: Moving to India can be a significant step for families looking to work, study, or reunite with family. With its rich culture and diverse landscapes, India has a image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content India flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw80%2Fin.png&w=3840&q=75] MOVING TO INDIA: VISAS, COST OF LIVING & IMMIGRANT GUIDE India flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw320%2Fin.png&w=3840&q=75] Moving to India: this free immigrant guide covers cost of living, visa options, banking, healthcare, laws, and settlement steps for living in India. Always confirm rules on the official immigration portal. Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites. Moving to India can be a significant step for families looking to work, study, or reunite with family. With its rich culture and diverse landscapes, India has a distinct setup for expatriates. Whether you aim to work in tech hubs like Bengaluru or study in historic cities like Jaipur, understanding the local context is essential. The first 90 days will involve adjustment as you learn about customs, language, and daily life in your new home.\n\nBefore booking travel, confirm your visa status and entry conditions. The Bureau of Immigration manages India's immigration system, and various visa options are available based on your purpose of stay. This guide outlines the essential steps for a easier move to life in India. Last updated 2026-05-17Official immigration portal ↗ [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/] Review due soon MigrantIQ research desk [/about/editorial/]3 min readData confidence: 82/100 15 published visa guides · 5 editorially reviewed in Q4 2026 Save to planner Verify before you move MigrantIQ provides general migration information, not legal advice. Always verify critical steps with official government sources or a licensed advisor before paying fees or submitting documents. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] AT A GLANCE: LIVING IN INDIA Quick signals for cost of living, salary, healthcare, and safety before you dig into visas and settlement. Capital New Delhi Region Asia (Southern Asia) Currency INR Cost of Living Index 18.9 Net Monthly Salary 4431 Healthcare Mixed Safety Index N/A Rent Index 4.3 Quality Index 5.5 COST OF LIVING IN INDIA India's cost of living index is relatively low at 18.9, making it an affordable option for many expatriates. The rent index is 4.3, indicating manageable housing costs compared to major cities in Western countries. With a typical net monthly salary of 4,431 INR, many may find their earnings sufficient to cover living expenses, though costs can vary significantly by city and region. Research specific areas for a clearer understanding of local pricing.\n\nWhile some cities may have lower living costs, metropolitan areas may have higher prices. Plan your budget accordingly and consider potential variations in expenses. INDIA COUNTRY PROFILE In-depth facts & data for living in India on this page· Updated 2026-06-02 8 sections India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeast coast in the Bay of Bengal, belong to India. India stretches more than 2,000 miles from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to the s… Demographics & populationPopulation size, age structure, migration, ethnicity, language, education, and health indicatorsEconomyGDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currencyGovernment & politicsGovernment structure, legal system, citizenship, and international relationsGeography & environmentLocation, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resourcesTradeImports, exports, and trading partnersTravel & safetySafety, crime, medical care, and travel conditions for visitors and newcomersInfrastructureTransport, communications, and energyNational symbolsAnthem and national symbols For planning only. Always verify immigration and legal rules on official government sites. DEMOGRAPHICS & POPULATION IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 331 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Demographics & population in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. India sits in Southern Asia, Asia, with New Delhi as the capital. Common working and school languages in the dataset include Hindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6%, note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, there are 22 other officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language. English proficiency is listed as high. Population and age figures on this page are planning signals, not a substitute for census releases or visa eligibility rules. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas Early practical steps people actually use in India include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Population overview; Age & family; Migration; Ethnicity & language; Education; Health & living conditions. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: DEMOGRAPHICS & POPULATION POPULATION OVERVIEW Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Population 1,409,128,296 Population Growth Rate 0.72% Population Distribution with the notable exception of the deserts in the northwest, including the Thar Desert, and the mountain fringe in the north, a very high population density exists throughout most of the country the core of the population is in the north along the banks of the Ganges, with other river valleys and southern coastal areas also having large population concentrations Urban Population * population: 36.4% of total population rate of * urbanization: 2.33% annual rate of change Population in Major Urban Areas 32.941 million NEW DELHI (capital), 21.297 million Mumbai, 15.333 million Kolkata, 13.608 million Bangalore, 11.776 million Chennai, 10.801 million Hyderabad Population: Male/Female * male: 725,784,825 * female: 683,343,471 AGE & FAMILY Show 13 13 facts — expand for details. Age Structure * years: 24.5% (male 181,115,052/female 163,647,028) 15-64 [tel:0281564] * years: 68.7% (male 500,568,593/female 467,593,781) 65 years and * over: 6.8% (male 44,101,180/female 52,102,662) Median Age * total: 29.8 years * male: 29.1 years * female: 30.5 years Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 16 Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 9.1 Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 2.03 Gross reproduction rate 1 Child Marriage women married by age 15: 4.8% women married by age 18: 23.3% men married by age 18: 2.6% Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49 66.7% Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49 66.7% Currently married women (ages 15-49) 72.6% Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49) 21.2 Mother's mean age at first birth 21.2 Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female * birth: 1.1 male(s)/female 0-14 * years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 * years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and * over: 0.85 male(s)/female total * population: 1.06 male(s)/female MIGRATION Hide Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population .1 ETHNICITY & LANGUAGE Hide Ethnic Groups Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, and other 3% Language Note * Hindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6% * note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication * there are 22 other officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu * Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language Nationality Noun * noun: Indian(s) * adjective: Indian EDUCATION Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Literacy - total population 74.4% Literacy - male 82.4% Literacy - female 65.8% Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write Education Expenditures - percent of GDP 4.5% Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary) * total: 12 years * male: 12 years * female: 12 years HEALTH & LIVING CONDITIONS Show 14 14 facts — expand for details. Life Expectancy at Birth * population: 68.2 years * male: 66.5 years * female: 70.1 years Infant Mortality Rate * total: 30.4 deaths/1,000 live births * male: 30 deaths/1,000 live births * female: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births * total: 30.4 deaths/1,000 live births * male: 30 deaths/1,000 live births * female: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 103 Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population .74 Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population .5 Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 3% Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk * risk: very high food or waterborne * diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne * diseases: dengue fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria water contact * diseases: leptospirosis animal contact * diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate 3.9% Tobacco Use * total: 27.2% * male: 41.3% * female: 13% Alcohol consumption per capita * total: 3.09 liters of pure alcohol * beer: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol * wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol * spirits: 2.85 liters of pure alcohol other * alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved * improved: urban: 96.9% of population * rural: 94.7% of population * total: 95.5% of population * unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population * rural: 5.3% of population * total: 4.5% of population Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved * improved: urban: 98.6% of population * rural: 75.2% of population * total: 83.4% of population * unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population * rural: 24.8% of population * total: 16.6% of population Underweight - percent of children under five years 31.5% ECONOMY IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 227 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Economy in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. People comparing India with other destinations usually start with wages, rent, and tax, not headline GDP. GDP per capita in the planning dataset is about 6,300. Recent growth is listed at 7.3 percent. Unemployment is listed at 9.9 percent. A typical net monthly salary signal is 4,431. The cost-of-living index is 19. The rent index is 4. A city-centre 1-bed rent signal is 138. A monthly groceries signal is 108. Purchasing-power index: 76. Quality-of-life index: 6. Local currency code: INR. City prices vary, and these indexes do not replace a job offer or a proof-of-funds check. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Economic overview; GDP & growth; Prices & money; Employment & labor; Labor by occupation; Public finance. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: ECONOMY ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Economic Overview India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Slightly less than half of the workforce is in agriculture, but services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's output but employing less than one-third of its labor force. India has capitalized on its large educated English-speaking population to become a major exporter of information technology services, business outsourcing services, and software workers. Nevertheless, per capita income remains below the world average. India is developing into an open-market economy, yet traces of its past autarkic policies remain. Economic liberalization measures, including industrial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, began in the early 1990s and served to accelerate the country's growth, which averaged nearly 7% per year from 1997 to 2017. India's economic growth slowed in 2011 because of a decline in investment caused by high-interest rates, rising inflation, and investor pessimism about the government's commitment to further economic reforms and about slow world growth. Investors’ perceptions of India improved in early 2014, due to a reduction of the current account deficit and expectations of post-election economic reform, resulting in a surge of inbound capital flows and stabilization of the rupee. Growth rebounded from 2014 through 2016. Despite a high growth rate compared to the rest of the world, India’s government-owned banks faced mounting bad debt, resulting in low credit growth. Rising macroeconomic imbalances in India and improving economic conditions in Western countries led investors to shift capital away from India, prompting a sharp depreciation of the rupee through 2016. The economy slowed again in 2017, due to the shocks of "demonetization" in 2016 and the introduction of GST in 2017. Since the election, the government has passed an important goods and services tax bill and raised foreign direct investment caps in some sectors, but most economic reforms have focused on administrative and governance changes, largely because the ruling party remains a minority in India’s upper house of Parliament, which must approve most bills. India has a young population and corresponding low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates, and is increasing integration into the global economy. However, long-term challenges remain significant, including India's discrimination against women and girls, an inefficient power generation and distribution system, ineffective enforcement of intellectual property rights, decades-long civil litigation dockets, inadequate transport and agricultural infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, high spending and poorly targeted subsidies, inadequate availability of quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration. Industries Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software, pharmaceuticals GDP - per capita (PPP) $6,300.00 (USD) GDP - real growth rate 7.3% GDP & GROWTH Show 9 9 facts — expand for details. GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP) $8,443,360,000,000 (USD) GDP Per Capita $6,300.00 (USD) GDP - real growth rate 7.3% GDP - official exchange rate $2,183,000,000,000 (USD) GDP - composition, by end use * consumption: 59.7% Government * consumption: 11.7% Investment in fixed * capital: 26.8% Investment in * inventories: 4.4% Exports of goods and * services: 19.4% Imports of goods and * services: -22% GDP by Sector- agriculture 16.1% GDP by Sector- Industry 29.5% GDP by Sector- services 54.4% Industrial Growth Rate 4.8% PRICES & MONEY Show 5 5 facts — expand for details. Inflation Rate 9.2% Exchange Rate per US Dollar 82.28 Currency Name and Code Indian Rupee (INR) Fiscal Year 1 April - 31 March Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate 10.6% EMPLOYMENT & LABOR Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Labor Force 498,400,000 Unemployment Rate 9.9% Major Industries Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software, pharmaceuticals Agriculture Products * Rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, lentils, onions, potatoes * dairy products, sheep, goats, poultry * fish Population Below Poverty Line 29.8% Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14 26,965,074 Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14 12% LABOR BY OCCUPATION Show 3 3 facts — expand for details. Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture 49% Labor Force By Occupation- industry 20% Labor Force By Occupation- services 31% PUBLIC FINANCE Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Annual Budget $171,500,000,000 (USD) Public Debt (% of GDP) 51.9% Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP -5.7% Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP 10.3% GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 234 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Government & politics in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. India's government and legal structure matters for visas, ID, tax residence, and later naturalization. The immigration authority in our records is Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal. Confirm current forms and fees on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/. In the planning dataset, citizenship is listed at 127 years; dual citizenship is listed as restricted. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas Early practical steps people actually use in India include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Identity & names; Political system; Capital & time; International role. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IDENTITY & NAMES Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Full Country Name Republic of India Country Name India Local - Long Republic of India (English)/ Bharatiya Ganarajya (Hindi) Local - Short India (English)/ Bharat (Hindi) Etymology- history of name * the English name derives from the Indus River * the Indian name "Bharat" may derive from the "Bharatas" tribe mentioned in the Vedas of the second millennium B.C. * the name is also associated with Emperor Bharata, the legendary conqueror of all of India Independence 15 August 1947 (from the UK) National Holiday Republic Day, 26 January (1950) POLITICAL SYSTEM Show 10 10 facts — expand for details. Government Type federal parliamentary republic Constitution * history: previous 1935 (preindependence); latest draft completed 4 November 1949, adopted 26 November 1949, effective 26 January 1950 * amendments: proposed by either the Council of States or the House of the People; passage requires majority participation of the total membership in each house and at least two-thirds majority of voting members of each house, followed by assent of the president of India; proposed amendments to the constitutional amendment procedures also must be ratified by at least one half of the India state legislatures before presidential assent; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal System: * common law system based on the English model * separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus * judicial review of legislative acts Executive Branch: * chief of state: President Droupadi MURMU (since 25 July 2022); Vice President Jagdeep DHANKHAR (since 11 August 2022) * head of government: Prime Minister Narendra MODI (since 26 May 2014) * cabinet: Union Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister, appointed by the president * elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 18 July 2022 (next to be held in July 2027); vice president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 5 August 2022 (next to be held in August 2027); following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by Lok Sabha members of the majority party * election results: 2022: Droupadi MURMU elected president; percent of electoral college vote - Droupadi MURMU (BJP) 64%, Yashwant SINHA (AITC) 35.9%; Jagdeep DHANKHAR elected vice president; percent of electoral college vote - Jagdeep DHANKHAR (BJP) 74.4%, Margaret ALVA (INC) 25.6% 2017: Ram Nath KOVIND elected president; percent of electoral college vote - Ram Nath KOVIND (BJP) 65.6%, Meira KUMAR (INC) 34.4%; Venkaiah NAIDU elected vice president; percent of electoral college vote - Venkaiah NAIDU (BJP) 67.9%, Gopal-krishna GANDHI 32.1% Legislative Branch: * Description: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of: Council of States or Rajya Sabha (245 seats; 233 members indirectly elected by state and territorial assemblies by proportional representation vote and 12 members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years at various dates) House of the People or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 2 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) * Elections: Council of States - last held by state and territorial assemblies at various dates in 2019 (in progress March through July 2022 to fill 70 expiry seats) House of the People - last held April-May 2019 in 7 phases (next to be held on 30 April 2024) * Election Results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BJP 97, INC 34, AITC 13, DMK 10, other 2, independent 2; * Composition: men 209, women 29, percent of women 13.8% House of the People - percent of vote by party - BJP 55.8%, INC 9.6%, AITC 4.4%, YSRCP 4.4%, DMK 4.2%, SS 3.3%, JDU 2.9%, BJD 2.2%, BSP 1.8%, TRS 1.7%, LJP 1.1%, NCP 0.9%, SP 0.9%, other 21.2%, independent 0.7%; seats by party - BJP 303, INC 52, DMK 24, AITC 22, YSRCP 22, SS 18, JDU 16, BJD 12, BSP 10, TRS 9, LJP 6, NCP 5, SP 5, other 35, independent 4, vacant 2; * Composition: men 465, women 78, percent of women 14.3%; * Note: total Parliament percent of women 11.3% * Note: in late September 2023, both the Council of States and the House of the People passed a bill that reserves one-third of the House seats for women; implementation could begin for the House election in 2029 Judicial Branch: * office: justices appointed by the president to serve until age 65 * subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Labour Court * note: in mid-2011, India’s Cabinet approved the "National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reform" to eliminate judicial corruption and reduce the backlog of cases Regions or States: * Summary: 28 states * and 8 union territories* * Andaman and Nicobar Islands* * Andhra Pradesh * Arunachal Pradesh * Assam * Bihar * Chandigarh* * Chhattisgarh * Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu* * Delhi* * Goa * Gujarat * Haryana * Himachal Pradesh * Jammu and Kashmir* * Jharkhand * Karnataka * Kerala * Ladakh* * Lakshadweep* * Madhya Pradesh * Maharashtra * Manipur * Meghalaya * Mizoram * Nagaland * Odisha * Puducherry* * Punjab * Rajasthan * Sikkim * Tamil Nadu * Telangana * Tripura * Uttar Pradesh * Uttarakhand * West Bengal note: although its status is that of a union territory * the official name of Delhi is National Capital Territory of Delhi Political Parties and Leaders: * Aam Aadmi Party or AAP [Arvind KEJRIWAL] * All India Trinamool Congress or AITC [Mamata BANERJEE] * Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI] * Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Jagat Prakash NADDA] * Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK] * Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI(M) [Sitaram YECHURY] * Dravida Munnetra Khazhagam [Muthuvel Karunanidhi STALIN] * Indian National Congress or INC [Mallikarjun KHARGE] * Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR] * Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Lalu Prasad YADAV] * Samajwadi Party or SP [Akhilesh YADAV] * Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Sukhbir Singh BADAL] * Shiv Sena or SS [Uddhav THACKERAY] * Telegana Rashtra Samithi or TRS [K. Chandrashekar RAO] * Telugu Desam Party or TDP [N. Chandrababu NAIDU] * YSR Congress or YSRCP or YCP [Y.S. Jaganmohan REDDY] * Note: India has dozens of national and regional political parties Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Citizenship Criteria: * birth: no citizenship by descent * only: at least one parent must be a citizen of India dual citizenship * recognized: no residency requirement for * naturalization: 5 years CAPITAL & TIME Hide Capital Name New Delhi Capital - geographic coordinate 28 36 N, 77 12 E Capital Time Difference UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) INTERNATIONAL ROLE Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. International Organization Participation: * ADB * AfDB (nonregional member) * Arctic Council (observer) * ARF * ASEAN (dialogue partner) * BIMSTEC * BIS * BRICS * CD * CERN (observer) * CICA * CP * EAS * FAO * FATF * G-15 * G-20 * G-24 * G-5 * G-77 * IAEA * IBRD * ICAO * ICC (national committees) * ICRM * IDA * IFAD * IFC * IFRCS * IHO * ILO * IMF * IMO * IMSO * Interpol * IOC * IOM * IPU * ISO * ITSO * ITU * ITUC (NGOs) * LAS (observer) * MIGA * MINURSO * MONUSCO * NAM * OAS (observer) * OECD * OPCW * Pacific Alliance (observer) * PCA * PIF (partner) * Quad * SAARC * SACEP * SCO (observer) * UN * UNCTAD * UNDOF * UNESCO * UNHCR * UNHRC * UNIDO * UNIFIL * UNISFA * UNITAR * UNMISS * UNOCI * UNSOM * UNWTO * UPU * Wassenaar Arrangement * WCO * WFTU (NGOs) * WHO * WIPO * WMO * WTO International Law Organization Participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Diplomatic Representation from US: * Chief of Mission: Ambassador Eric M. GARCETTI (since 11 May 2023) * Embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021 * Mailing Address: 9000 New Delhi Place, Washington DC 20521-9000 [tel:205219000] * Telephone: [91] (11) 2419-8000 [tel:1124198000] * FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 [tel:1124190017] * Email: acsnd@state.gov * Website: https://in.usembassy.gov/ [https://in.usembassy.gov/] * Consulate(s) General: Chennai (Madras), Hyderabad, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Diplomatic Representation in the US: * Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sripriya RANGANATHAN (since 1 February 2024) * Chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 * Telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 [tel:2029397000] * FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351 [tel:2022654351] * Email: minca.washington@mea.gov.in * Website: https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/ [https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/] * Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 162 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Geography & environment in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. India's capital is New Delhi in Southern Asia, Asia. Traffic keeps to the left. Geography here is for settlement planning: climate, distance to work, and which city you can actually afford, not a travel brochure. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Location & size; Physical geography; Climate & time; Climate; Environment. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT LOCATION & SIZE Show 8 8 facts — expand for details. Geographic Location Asia Geographic Coordinates 20 00 N, 77 00 E Total Area 1,269,212 Square Miles 3,287,263 Square Kilometers Land Area 1,147,950 Square Miles 2,973,193 Square Kilometers Water Area 121,262 Square Miles 314,070 Square Kilometers Land Boundaries 8,763 Miles 14,103 Kilometers Border Countries Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline 4,350 Miles 7,000 Kilometers PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Terrain Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in the south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in the west, the Himalayas in the north Highest Point 8,598 Meters Highest Point Location Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Lowest Point Location Indian Ocean 0 m Natural Resources Coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, rare earth elements, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Irrigated Land 256,116 Square Miles 663,340 Square Kilometers CLIMATE & TIME Hide Time Zone UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) CLIMATE Show 5 5 facts — expand for details. Climate The climate in India ranges from Arctic-like conditions in the high Himalayas to blast-furnace heat in many parts of the country during the summer, and heavy monsoon downpours during the rainy season. At other times, the weather can be mild and delightfully pleasant. New Delhi has an altitude of 700 feet above sea level in north-central India. The weather in the capital is most pleasant during the temperate months of October-November and February, periods characterized by cool nights and warm days. Although the winter months of December and January are usually fairly temperate, then it can become surprisingly cold at night. From April through mid-July daytime temperatures often top 110F. The nights cool off somewhat but are still hot. From mid-July to September, the occasional monsoon rains combine high humidity with high temperatures. Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India's financial capital, is a port on the Arabian Sea in the western state of Maharashtra. On a map, Mumbai appears as a peninsula (actually two islands) off the west coast of India. A great natural harbor provides 75 square miles of sheltered deep water. Mumbai has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons. The heat and high humidity of April, May, and October make life quite uncomfortable. The monsoon season, June to September, brings a welcome relief although the humidity remains high. An average of 77 inches of rain falls during the monsoon. Late November through February is cooler, although the days are still hot and sunny. Calcutta, the capital of the state of West Bengal, is situated on the Hooghly River about 80 miles north of the Bay of Bengal. Because the city is built on near sea-level marshland, Calcutta and its suburbs suffer from poor drainage and periodic flooding - especially during the monsoon, June to October. From November through February, temperatures are pleasant. The heat begins in March, and occasional "nor'westers" bring welcome cool winds and rain from the Himalayas through May. Then the overcast sky of the monsoon brings relief from the glare of the sun, even though the temperature remains high. Chennai (formerly known as Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu, lies on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, about 900 miles north of the Equator. Chennai has a medium-sized artificial harbor and a wide sandy beach that extends for several hundred miles along the coast. The surrounding countryside is a largely flat, coastal plain devoted to rice cultivation. It is green and fertile during part of the year but dry and dusty during the rainless spring and early summer months. The climate is tropical throughout the year. December and January are relatively cool months. The weather heats up drastically from March through June. Unfortunately, as the temperature rises, so does the humidity. Premonsoon rains bring slight relief in July/August, and the temperatures decrease slowly until the cooler season returns in November. During the hottest months, sea breezes occasionally lessen the discomfort. Chennai averages 48 inches of rain annually, although droughts occur when the monsoon fails. The most rain falls from October through December, but frequent showers can occur from May to September. Occasionally, cyclones strike the coast. Terrain Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in the south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in the west, the Himalayas in the north Location Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Total Area 1,269,212 Square Miles 3,287,263 Square Kilometers Border Countries Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km ENVIRONMENT Hide Environment - Current Issues * Deforestation * soil erosion * overgrazing * desertification * air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions * water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides * tap water is not potable throughout the country * the huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Environment - International Agreements Party To: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements TRADE IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 164 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Trade in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Trade figures for India help explain which industries hire, which ports matter, and how imported goods show up in grocery prices. Settlements and contracts usually run in INR. They are not a visa pathway. Work permission still depends on the destination's immigration rules. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Trade overview; Trading partners; Partners (summary). Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: TRADE TRADE OVERVIEW Show 4 4 facts — expand for details. Exports $309,100,000,000 (USD) Imports $500,300,000,000 (USD) Major Exports Petroleum products, precious stones, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, vehicles, apparel Major Imports Crude oil, precious stones, machinery, fertilizer, iron and steel, chemicals TRADING PARTNERS Hide Top Export Partners UAE 12.7%, United States 10.8%, China 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.1% Top Import Partners China 11.9%, UAE 7.7%, Switzerland 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, United States 4.9% PARTNERS (SUMMARY) Hide Export Partners UAE 12.7%, United States 10.8%, China 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.1% Import Partners China 11.9%, UAE 7.7%, Switzerland 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, United States 4.9% TRAVEL & SAFETY IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 241 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Travel & safety in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Safety in India is local. Neighbourhood, night transport, and documentation checks matter more than a single country score. Tap water is not listed as generally safe; check local advice after arrival. Healthcare system type: Mixed. Immigrant health access note: Limited. Health coverage waiting period in the dataset: 180 days. Read current travel advice from your origin government before you book. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas Early practical steps people actually use in India include: Confirm visa status and entry conditions before booking travel; Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required; Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps; Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels. Treat the list as a reminder, not a filing checklist. When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Before you travel; Crime & law; Health & roads. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: TRAVEL & SAFETY BEFORE YOU TRAVEL Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Country Description India, the world's largest democracy, has a very diverse population, geography, and climate. India is the world's second most populous country, as well as the seventh largest in area. Tourist facilities offer varying degrees of comfort. Amenities are widely available in large cities and tourist areas. Safety & Security India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities that may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Anti-Western terrorist groups, some on the U.S. government's list of foreign terrorist organizations, are active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. The U.S. government occasionally receives information regarding possible terrorist attacks that could take place in India, monitors such information to determine credibility, and advises U.S. citizens accordingly. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages from the Embassy automatically. Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas. Attacks have taken place during the busy evening hours in markets and other crowded places but could occur at any time. Recent incidents include a series of explosions at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya on July 7, 2013, that caused damage to the temple complex; an explosion on April 17, 2013, in Bangalore in which sixteen people were reported to have been injured; twin bombings near a bus stop and commercial area in Hyderabad on February 21, 2013, that killed 17 and injured 119 bystanders; the February 13, 2012 bombing of an Israeli diplomatic vehicle near the diplomatic enclave in New Delhi that injured four persons; the September 7, 2011 bomb blast at New Delhi’s High Court that killed 12 people; and the July 13, 2011 bombings in crowded areas in Mumbai, where three separate explosions killed 21 people and injured more than 100. The Maoists (also known as “Naxalites”) are the most active insurgent group in India. The Naxalites typically attack Indian government officials but have also derailed trains, targeted other government buildings such as police stations, and kidnapped foreigners. They operate mostly in the more remote areas of the country. U.S. citizens should always practice good security. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile. Monitor local news reports, vary your routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when you visit public places - including religious sites - and choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues. Beyond the threat from terrorism and insurgencies, demonstrations and general strikes, or “bandh,” often cause major inconvenience. These strikes can result in the stoppage of all transportation and tourist related services, at times for 24 hours or more. U.S. citizens caught in such a strike may find they are unable to make flight and rail connections, as local transportation can be severely limited. Local media generally give an idea of the length and extent of the strike. Large religious gatherings that attract hundreds of thousands of people can result in dangerous and often life-threatening stampedes. Local demonstrations can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers. In response to such events, Indian authorities occasionally impose curfews and/or restrict travel. You are urged to obey such curfews and travel restrictions and to avoid demonstrations and rallies as they have the potential for violence, especially immediately preceding and following elections and religious festivals (particularly when Hindu and Muslim festivals coincide). Tensions between castes and religious groups can also result in disruptions and violence. In some cases, demonstrators specifically block roads near popular tourist sites and disrupt train operations in order to gain the attention of Indian authorities; occasionally vehicles transporting tourists are attacked in these incidents. India generally goes on “High Alert” status prior to ma CRIME & LAW Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Crime * Assault: Travelers should be aware that there have been reported cases of sexual assault, including rape, of U.S. citizens traveling throughout India. U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India. Western women, especially those of African descent, continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men. Known locally as “Eve-teasing,” these incidents of sexual harassment can be quite frightening. Sexual harassment can occur anytime or anywhere, but most frequently has happened in crowded areas such as in marketplaces, train stations, buses, and public streets. The harassment can range from sexually suggestive or lewd comments to catcalls to outright groping. If you are a woman traveling in India, you are advised to respect local dress and customs. While reported incidences of sexual assault have been isolated, Indian authorities report rape as one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. Among large cities, Delhi experienced the highest number of crimes against women. Although most victims have been local residents, recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas underline the fact that foreign women are at risk and should exercise vigilance. Women should observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding the use of public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions, restricting evening entertainment to well-known venues, and avoiding isolated areas when alone at any time of day. If you are a woman traveling in India, you are advised to respect conservative local dress and customs. Keep your hotel room number confidential and make sure hotel room doors have chains, deadlocks, and spy holes. In addition, only hire reliable cars and drivers and avoid traveling alone in hired taxis, especially at night. Use taxis from hotels and pre-paid taxis at airports rather than hailing them on the street. If you encounter threatening situations, call “100” for police assistance (“112” from mobile phones). * Scams: Major airports, train stations, popular restaurants, and tourist sites are often used by scam artists looking to prey on visitors, often by creating a distraction. Beware of taxi drivers and others, including train porters, who solicit travelers with "come-on" offers of cheap transportation and/or hotels. Travelers accepting such offers have frequently found themselves the victims of scams, including offers to assist with "necessary" transfers to the domestic airport, disproportionately expensive hotel rooms, unwanted "tours," unwelcome "purchases," extended cab rides, substandard hotel rooms at overly expensive rates and even threats when the tourists decline to pay. There have been reports of tourists being lured, held hostage, and extorted for money in the face of threats of violence against the traveler and his/her family Criminal Penalties While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even though you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence of alcohol could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. If you do something illegal in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going. It is also important to note that there are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted in the United States if you buy pirated goods, engage in sexual conduct with children, or use or disseminate child pornography in a foreign country even if those activities are not illegal in that country. Each of India’s states has independent regulations concerning alcohol purchase and consumption. Legal drinking ages range from 18 to 25 and can vary by beverage type. Some states permit alcohol use for medicinal purposes only, others require you to hold a permit to buy, transport, or consume alcohol. Penalties for violation can be harsh, so travelers are advised to check with Indian authorities in the states they plan to visit. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. Languages Hindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6%; note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; there are 22 other officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language HEALTH & ROADS Show 2 2 facts — expand for details. Medical Facilities The quality of medical care in India varies considerably. Medical care in the major population centers approaches and occasionally meets Western standards, but adequate medical care is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas. If you are arriving in India from Sub-Saharan Africa or other yellow-fever areas, Indian health regulations require that you present evidence of vaccination against yellow fever. If you do not have such proof, you could be subjected to immediate deportation or a six-day detention in the yellow-fever quarantine center. If you transit through any part of sub-Saharan Africa, even for one day, you are advised to carry proof of yellow fever immunization. Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or by calling the hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747 [tel:18773948747]). Some vaccines such as Typhoid, Influenza, and Hepatitis A are recommended for all travelers, and other vaccines such as Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies are recommended for high-risk travelers. A high risk of rabies transmission exists in most of India with dogs and bats posing the most common threat. Vaccination is recommended for all prolonged stays with a priority for young children and travelers in rural areas. It is also recommended for shorter stays that involve occupational exposure; locations more than 24 hours' travel from a reliable source of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine for post-exposure treatment; adventure travelers, hikers, cave explorers, and backpackers. Monkeys also can transmit rabies and herpes B, among other diseases, to human victims. Avoid feeding monkeys. If bitten, you should immediately soak and scrub the bite for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention. Influenza is transmitted from November to April in areas north of the Tropic of Cancer, and from June through November (the rainy season) in areas south of the Tropic of Cancer, with a smaller peak from February through April; off-season transmission can also occur. All travelers are at increased risk. The influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during the flu season. Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (H5N1 virus) occur intermittently in eastern India, including West Bengal, Manipur, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam. For further information on avian influenza (bird flu), please refer to the Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet. Malaria prophylaxis depends on the time of year and area the traveler is visiting. Please consult the CDC website for more information. Dengue fever presents a significant risk in urban and rural areas. The highest number of cases is reported from July to December, with cases peaking from September to October. Daytime insect precautions are recommended. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. These websites provide useful information, such as suggested vaccinations for visitors to India, safe food and water precautions, appropriate measures to avoid contraction of mosquito-borne diseases (such as malaria and Japanese B encephalitis), suggestions to avoid altitude sickness, etc. Further, these sites provide information on disease outbreaks that may arise from time to time. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya occur in various parts of India each year. You should check these sites shortly before traveling to India. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in India. For further information, please consult the CDC’s Travel Notice on TB. For emergency services, dial 112 from a cell phone; from a landline, dial 100 for police, 102 for an ambulance (108 in Traffic Safety * Numbers: The following emergency numbers work in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and * Kolkata: Police 100 Fire Brigade 101 Ambulance 102 INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 165 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. Infrastructure in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. Infrastructure in India affects commute time, remote work, and whether a city is livable in the first 90 days. Typical internet speed in the dataset is 30 Mbps. Airports, rail, and roads on this page are inventory, not a promise that your neighbourhood is well served. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: Transportation; Pipelines; Communications; Energy. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORTATION Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Airports - total 346 Airports with Paved Runways 253 Heliports 45 Railways 39,752 Miles 63,974 Kilometers Roadways- total 2,914,132 Miles 4,689,842 Kilometers Waterways 9,010 Miles 14,500 Kilometers Ports and Terminals Chennai, Jawaharal Nehru Port, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Sikka, Vishakhapatnam PIPELINES Show 6 6 facts — expand for details. Pipelines: Condensate 6 Miles 9 Kilometers Pipelines: Gas 8,439 Miles 13,581 Kilometers Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas 1,276 Miles 2,054 Kilometers Pipelines: Oil 5,557 Miles 8,943 Kilometers Pipelines: Oil/Gas/Water 12 Miles 20 Kilometers Pipelines: Refined Products 6,878 Miles 11,069 Kilometers COMMUNICATIONS Show 7 7 facts — expand for details. Telephones 32,685,000 Cell Phones 893,862,000 Internet Users 61,338,000 Internet Country Code .in Internet Hosts 6,746,000 Broadcast Media * Doordarshan, India's public TV network, operates about 20 national, regional, and local services * a large and increasing number of privately owned TV stations are distributed by cable and satellite service providers * by 2011, more than 100 million homes had access to cable and satellite TV offering more than 700 TV channels * government controls AM radio with All India Radio operating domestic and external networks * news broadcasts via radio are limited to the All India Radio Network * since 2000, privately-owned FM stations have been permitted and their numbers have increased rapidly Telephone System * Assessment: supported by recent deregulation and liberalization of telecommunications laws and policies, India has emerged as one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world; the total telephone subscribership base exceeded 900 million in 2011, an overall teledensity of roughly 75%, and subscribership is currently growing more than 20 million per month; urban teledensity now exceeds 100% and rural teledensity is steadily growing * Domestic: mobile cellular service was introduced in 1994 and organized nationwide into four metropolitan areas and 19 telecom circles each with multiple private service providers and one or more state-owned service providers; in recent years significant trunk capacity was added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT), with 6 satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture terminals (VSAT) * International: country code - 91; a number of major international submarine cable systems, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Sea-Me-We-4 with a landing site at Chennai, Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with a landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with a landing site at Cochin, the i2i cable network linking to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and data traffic; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); 9 gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam ENERGY Show 12 12 facts — expand for details. Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 637,600,000,000 Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 519,000,000 Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 10,530,000,000 Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 880,000,000,000 Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh) 64,490,000,000 Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m) 16,390,000,000 Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m) 40,380,000,000 Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m) 1,241,000,000,000 Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 3,292,000 Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 3,272,000 Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 897,300 Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day) 5,476,000,000 NATIONAL SYMBOLS IN INDIA: PLANNING NOTES 147 words of country-specific briefing for moving to India. Figures that affect visas or tax should still be checked on official sites. National symbols in India for people weighing a move, not a tourist recap. The notes below use India-specific planning fields. Detailed profile figures sit in the Key facts section under this topic. National symbols for India are background for civic life and ceremonies. They do not change visa rules. Use the government and visa pages for status, work, and stay conditions. India - "Bharat" to most Indians - is the seventh largest country in the world. The Lakshadweep Islands off the southwest coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 750 miles off the southeas When a number on this page could change a visa or tax outcome, open https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ (Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal) and match the current instruction. MigrantIQ is a planning aid, not a government filing system. Key facts for this topic cover: National anthem. Expand each card for the structured figures. KEY FACTS: NATIONAL SYMBOLS NATIONAL ANTHEM Hide Anthem Lyrics Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata Punjab-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha Dravida-Utkala-Banga Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga Uchchala-Jaldhi-taranga Tava shubha name jage Tava shubha ashish mange Gahe tava jaya-gatha Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he! Anthem Lyrics English Thou art the rulers of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny. Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea. They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The saving of all people waits in thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny, Victory, victory, victory to thee. Verified immigration updates for India → [/countries/india/immigration-updates/] GOVERNMENT JOBS IN INDIA * International Job Opportunities [/government-jobs/government-careers-in/] · National Career Service (India) All government jobs for India → [/government-jobs/?country=india] OFFICIAL LANGUAGES IN INDIA Hindi 43.6%Bengali 8%Marathi 6.9%Telugu 6.7%Tamil 5.7%Gujarati 4.6%Urdu 4.2%Kannada 3.6%Odia 3.1%Malayalam 2.9%Punjabi 2.7%Assamese 1.3%Maithili 1.1%other 5.6%note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for nationalpoliticaland commercial communicationthere are 22 other officially recognized languages: AssameseBengaliBodoDogriGujaratiHindiKannadaKashmiriKonkaniMaithiliMalayalamManipuriMarathiNepaliOdiaPunjabiSanskritSantaliSindhiTamilTeluguUrduHindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language OFFICIAL LINKS FOR INDIA * Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/] Official immigration portal for visas, entry rules, and residency steps. The official e-Visa portal is important for obtaining the correct visa for your stay in India. Be cautious of lookalike sites that may charge fees for forms available for free through official channels. NEWCOMER CHECKLIST FOR INDIA * •Prepare temporary housing and proof of address where required * •Set up local phone, banking, tax, and health coverage steps * •Save emergency numbers, official portals, and scam-reporting channels * •Learn about local customs and cultural practices * •Research local transportation options and routes * •Connect with local expatriate communities for support and advice * •Learn basic phrases in Hindi or the local language to ease communication LOCAL SERVICES & SETUP IN INDIA Healthcare access: Limited Health waiting period: 180 day(s) SETTLEMENT FUNDS & FINANCIAL NOTES FOR INDIA Settlement funds: No formal savings requirement for most visas. Employment Visa requires minimum USD 25,000/year salary. Investor Visa requires demonstrable investment capital. India's very low cost of living means moderate foreign income goes far. India's financial system for foreigners involves: PAN card (essential for tax compliance and banking), bank account opening (requires Employment/Business Visa, PAN, proof of address — Axis Bank and ICICI are most foreigner-friendly), UPI payments (India's digital payment system — ubiquitous and essential), and FEMA compliance for foreign investments. Budget EUR 1,000-3,000 for visa, legal, and setup costs. India's financial year runs April-March. Hiring a chartered accountant (CA) is essential for tax filing — costs EUR 200-500/year. When settling in India, establish proof of funds and set up a local bank account for daily transactions. While many places accept cash, digital payments are increasingly common, making a local bank account convenient. Securing health coverage is important, as access to healthcare can be limited for immigrants. Understand the health waiting period and consider private health insurance for a easier move. COST OF LIVING BY CITY IN INDIA Monthly living-cost signals in INR. Figures are planning estimates — rent and lifestyle vary by neighbourhood. CitySingle monthly (INR)Family monthly (INR)1BR center (INR)Bangalore₹85,195₹191,688₹37,273New Delhi / NCR₹106,494₹234,286₹42,597Mumbai₹127,792₹266,234₹53,247 TAKE-HOME PAY IN INDIA (2026) Educational wage-tax examples from the MigrantIQ tax calculator in INR. Not filing software — confirm with official rules and a licensed adviser. Entry / mid offer Gross ₹600,000 ₹567,150net / year ~₹47,263 / month · effective 5.5% Solid mid career Gross ₹1,200,000 ₹1,109,650net / year ~₹92,471 / month · effective 7.5% High earner Gross ₹5,000,000 ₹3,810,900net / year ~₹317,575 / month · effective 23.8% Open India tax calculator → [/tools/tax-calculator/india/] · compare take-home vs other destinations [/tools/tax-compare/] Country hub: /countries/india/ · Tax year 2026. State or provincial tax may apply on top of federal models. WHO QUALIFIES BEST FOR INDIA * Healthcare WorkersDifficult Best visa: Employment Visa with hospital/institution sponsorship * InvestorsModerate Best visa: Business Visa or Investor Visa; OCI if eligible * Remote WorkersDifficult Best visa: No suitable visa — Tourist/Business Visa used informally; OCI if eligible * RetireesDifficult Best visa: OCI Card (if eligible through Indian origin or marriage); otherwise no suitable visa * Skilled TradesVery Difficult Best visa: Employment Visa with employer sponsorship (rare) * Tech WorkersModerate Best visa: Employment Visa with employer sponsorship; OCI if eligible * Work Professionals seeking career opportunities in a growing economy. * Study Students looking for diverse academic programs and cultural experiences. * Family Families reuniting with loved ones or seeking new beginnings. OFFICIAL VS REALITY WHEN MOVING TO INDIA BUREAUCRACY Official: India is digitizing government services through India Stack and Digital India Reality: India's bureaucracy is simultaneously modernizing and deeply traditional. Online systems (e-Visa, FRRO, income tax filing) have improved significantly. However, many processes still require in-person visits, physical document submissions, and multiple stamps. FRRO registration is mandatory and can be a multi-day process. Getting a PAN card, opening a bank account, and obtaining a SIM card all involve document verification. The system is navigable but requires patience, local knowledge, and often a fixer. Hiring a local consultant or CA is not optional — it's essential. COST OF LIVING Official: India is one of the world's most affordable countries Reality: Genuinely true. India's purchasing power index of 78.5 means your money goes extremely far. Domestic help (cook, cleaner, driver) is affordable (EUR 50-150/month each), making daily life comfortable in ways that are impossible in the West at similar price points. However, 'Western lifestyle' costs more — imported goods are expensive, premium apartments in South Mumbai or Gurgaon rival mid-range European prices, and international schools cost EUR 5,000-15,000/year. The biggest value proposition is the hybrid approach: modern apartment in a good area, domestic help, local food and markets, with selective Western comforts. ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION Official: English is widely used in Indian business and government Reality: English functions well in business contexts, government offices, hospitals, and urban environments. India has one of the world's largest English-speaking populations. However, English proficiency varies significantly by region, education level, and setting. In tier-1 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad), English is perfectly adequate for daily life. In smaller cities and rural areas, Hindi (or regional languages) is dominant. Indian English has its own conventions and vocabulary — but is fully functional for communication. This is a significant advantage over non-English-speaking Asian destinations. SAFETY Official: India is improving safety and security for foreigners Reality: Safety in India is highly location-dependent. Major business districts (Connaught Place in Delhi, BKC in Mumbai, MG Road in Bangalore) are generally safe. Women face additional safety concerns — harassment and unwanted attention are more common than in Western countries. Petty crime (pickpocketing, scams) exists in tourist areas. Traffic is chaotic and road accidents are a genuine risk. Pollution (particularly in Delhi during winter — AQI regularly exceeds 300) is a health concern. The peace index of 2.9 reflects broader security challenges. South India (Bangalore, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) is generally considered safer and cleaner. NEGLECTING VISA REQUIREMENTS A common mistake is not fully understanding the visa requirements. Ensure you have the correct visa type for your purpose of stay, as overstaying or working on the wrong visa can lead to complications. UNDERESTIMATING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Many newcomers underestimate the cultural differences they will encounter. Take time to learn about local customs and etiquette to avoid unintentional offenses. FORGETTING TO SET UP LOCAL SERVICES Another mistake is forgetting to set up essential local services, such as banking and mobile phone plans, before arriving. This can lead to unnecessary stress during your initial days in India. SOURCES & REFERENCES FOR INDIA Country data is a planning aid. Official government sources override MigrantIQ summaries for immigration, legal, tax, health, and emergency rules. * Bureau of Immigration / Indian Mission e-Visa portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/] Primary portal for visas, entry rules, and residency. * World Bank Open Data [https://data.worldbank.org/] GDP, growth, and macro indicators where shown on this profile. * Numbeo cost of living [https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/] Cost-of-living indices and rent signals where available. * MigrantIQ country profile Editorial summary. Last updated 2026-05-28. * World Bank and public data sources Used for economic and country-level indicators where available. * Numbeo and public cost datasets Used for cost-of-living signals for India where available. FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN INDIA 435 active diplomatic missions in our directory. Sample listings below. * Consulate General of France in Bangalore, India [/embassies/mission/france-in-india-bangalore-consulate-general/] — 🇫🇷 France, Bangalore * Consulate of Benin in Bangalore, India [/embassies/mission/benin-in-india-bangalore-consulate/] — 🇧🇯 Benin, Bangalore * Consulate of Brazil in Bangalore, India [/embassies/mission/brazil-in-india-bangalore-consulate/] — 🇧🇷 Brazil, Bangalore * Consulate of Colombia in Bangalore, India [/embassies/mission/colombia-in-india-bangalore-consulate/] — 🇨🇴 Colombia, Bangalore * Consulate of Djibouti in Bangalore, India [/embassies/mission/djibouti-in-india-bangalore-consulate/] — 🇩🇯 Djibouti, Bangalore Browse all embassies in India → [/embassies/in/india/] Important — not legal or government advice MigrantIQ lists diplomatic missions for planning reference only. We are not a government service. Contact details may be incomplete or outdated — always confirm appointments, fees, and requirements on the official mission website or your destination government portal before you travel or apply. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report inaccurate data [/contact/] Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING TO INDIA WHAT TYPES OF VISAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MOVING TO INDIA? India offers various visa types, including Business, Employment, and Family Visas. Choose the right one based on your purpose of stay and check the specific requirements for each. HOW CAN I FIND HOUSING IN INDIA? Finding housing in India can be done through online platforms, local real estate agents, or expatriate networks. It's advisable to visit potential neighborhoods to get a feel for the area before making a commitment. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN INDIA? Healthcare access for immigrants in India can be limited, so secure health insurance that covers your needs. Be aware of the waiting period for certain health services and plan accordingly. RELATED INDIA GUIDES Visa India Visa Hub Read guide → [/visas/india/]Legal India Laws Read guide → [/laws/india/]Safety India Scam Alerts Read guide → [/scam-alerts/india/]Checklist India Arrival Checklist Read guide → [/checklist/india/]Work & Employment New Zealand Opens Two India Work Visas With 5,000 Places From 20 October 2026 Read guide → [/blog/new-zealand-opens-two-india-work-visas-with-5-000-places-from-20-october-20/]Policy Updates OCI Overhauls, EU Single Permits, Digital Nomad Visas, and Talent Gateways Are Redefining Global Mobility: India, Croatia, South Korea, and UK 2026 Read guide → [/blog/oci-overhauls-eu-single-permits-digital-nomad-visas-and-talent-gateways-are/]Policy Updates Skilled Residence Overhauls and Visa Bulletin Freezes Are Shaping Global Mobility: NZ, UK, U.S and Pakistan 2026 Read guide → [/blog/skilled-residence-overhauls-and-visa-bulletin-freezes-are-shaping-global-mo/]Policy Updates New Visa Bonds and Compliance Shifts Are Restructuring Global Travel: U.S., India, Singapore, and Spain Update Rules Read guide → [/blog/new-visa-bonds-and-compliance-shifts-are-restructuring-global-travel-u-s-in/]Blog Migration blog Read guide → [/blog/] VISA OPTIONS 15 published * Business / Investor Visa [/visas/india/business-investor/]business * Entry / X Visa [/visas/india/entry-x-visa/]family * Family / Spouse Visa [/visas/india/family-spouse/]family * Business Visa [/visas/india/business-visa/]migration * Employment Visa [/visas/india/employment-visa/]migration * Investor Visa [/visas/india/investor-visa/]migration * OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India) [/visas/india/oci-card-overseas-citizen-of-india/]migration * Research Visa [/visas/india/research-visa/]migration * OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India) [/visas/india/oci-card/]residency * Permanent Residency / Settlement [/visas/india/permanent-residency/]residency * Student Visa [/visas/india/student/]student * Student Visa [/visas/india/student-visa/]student * e-Tourist Visa [/visas/india/e-tourist-visa/]tourist * Tourist / Visitor Visa [/visas/india/tourist-visitor/]tourist * Work / Employment Visa [/visas/india/work-employment/]work Open visa hub → [/visas/india/] KEY LAWS * Work Authorisation Rules [/laws/india/work-authorisation-rules/]critical * Immigration Status and Overstay Rules [/laws/india/immigration-status-and-overstay-rules/]critical * Tax Residency and Income Reporting [/laws/india/tax-residency-and-income-reporting/]high * Housing Contract and Deposit Rules [/laws/india/housing-contract-and-deposit-rules/]medium ACTIVE SCAM ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/india/document-translation-notary-overcharge/]medium * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/india/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/]medium * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/india/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/]medium Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Countries","item":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"India","item":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/india/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/countries/india/#webpage","name":"Moving to India: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide","description":"Moving to India can be a significant step for families looking to work, study, or reunite with family. 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