Can I work remotely in India on a tourist visa?

Technically, tourist visas do not permit any form of work. However, remote workers earning from foreign employers/clients are common in India and there is no active enforcement. This is a gray area — an Employment Visa is the only fully legal work permit, but it requires an Indian employer sponsor.

How long can I stay in India on an e-Visa?

The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows a single stay of up to 30 days. The 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas allow multiple entries with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit. You must exit and re-enter to reset the 90-day clock.

What is the OCI card and who qualifies?

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is a lifelong visa for people of Indian origin — former Indian citizens, their children, grandchildren (up to 4 generations), and spouses of OCI holders. It allows indefinite stay and work rights in India. Cost is approximately $275.

Do I need to register with the FRRO?

Yes, if you hold a long-term visa (Employment, Student, Research, Missionary) and plan to stay more than 180 days, you must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. e-Visa holders on short stays are exempt.

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🇮🇳 India

Visa & Residency

India offers several visa pathways for expats, though it lacks a dedicated digital nomad visa. The e-Visa system covers tourist, business, medical, and conference categories.

$10–$25

e-Tourist Visa (30 days)

Seasonal pricing; Apr–Jun cheaper

$40

e-Tourist Visa (1 year)

Multiple entry, 90-day stays

$80–$120

e-Business Visa (1 year)

Reciprocal pricing by nationality

Min. $25k/yr salary

Employment Visa

1–5 year validity

$275 application

OCI Card

Lifelong for Indian-origin persons

Last updated: March 2026

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Overview

India offers several visa pathways for expats, though it lacks a dedicated digital nomad visa. The e-Visa system covers tourist, business, medical, and conference categories. Employment visas require a minimum $25,000/year salary. The OCI card provides lifelong access for people of Indian origin. Most digital nomads use tourist visa rotations or business visas.

Key Takeaways

e-Tourist Visa: 30-day ($10–$25 seasonal) or 1-year/5-year ($40/$80) with multiple entries and 90-day continuous stay limits
Employment Visa is granted for 1 year or contract duration (whichever is shorter), extendable up to 5 years
OCI grants multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa — no registration with FRRO required
Most common approach: 1-year e-Tourist Visa with 90-day stays, exit to Nepal/Sri Lanka/Thailand, re-enter

India's e-Visa System

India's electronic visa system has expanded to nine categories as of 2025, allowing nationals of 160+ countries to apply online. Processing takes 3–5 business days.

e-Tourist Visa: 30-day ($10–$25 seasonal) or 1-year/5-year ($40/$80) with multiple entries and 90-day continuous stay limits
e-Business Visa: 1-year validity at $80–$120 (reciprocal pricing); covers meetings, trade events, and professional visits — not employment
e-Medical Visa: 60-day validity for hospital treatment; can bring up to two attendants on e-Medical Attendant Visa
e-Conference Visa: For attending government-approved conferences and seminars in India; single entry
New 2025 categories include e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, and e-Entry Visa for specific activities

Employment & Business Visas

Working legally in India requires an Employment Visa. The minimum salary threshold is $25,000/year, and the position must require skills not readily available locally.

Employment Visa is granted for 1 year or contract duration (whichever is shorter), extendable up to 5 years
Employer must sponsor the visa and demonstrate that the role requires specialized foreign expertise
Business Visa holders CANNOT work for an Indian company — it covers meetings, trade shows, and B2B activities only
FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) registration required within 14 days of arrival for long-stay visas
Dependent visas available for spouse and children of Employment Visa holders

OCI Card — Lifelong Access for Indian Origin

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is a lifelong visa for foreign nationals of Indian origin, former Indian citizens, and their spouses. It is the closest thing to dual citizenship India offers.

OCI grants multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa — no registration with FRRO required
Eligible: Former Indian citizens (or their descendants up to 4 generations), and spouses of Indian citizens/OCI holders
OCI holders can live and work in India indefinitely but cannot vote, hold government office, or buy agricultural land
Application fee is approximately $275 (varies by country); processing takes 4–8 weeks
OCI card must be re-issued when a new passport is obtained (before age 20) or when the holder turns 50

Digital Nomad Workarounds

India does not yet have a dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use tourist visa rotations or business visas, though this operates in a legal gray area for those earning from foreign employers.

Most common approach: 1-year e-Tourist Visa with 90-day stays, exit to Nepal/Sri Lanka/Thailand, re-enter
Business Visa is technically more appropriate if you attend meetings or conferences, but still not designed for remote work
No enforcement to date against remote workers on tourist visas earning from foreign employers, but it is technically not permitted
India has discussed a digital nomad visa program but as of early 2026, nothing has been formally launched
For longer stays (6+ months), consider the 5-year e-Tourist Visa at $80 — still limited to 90-day continuous stays

FAQs