India Business Visa vs India Employment Visa
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›India Employment Visa includes family members; India Business Visa does not.
India Business Visa India · entrepreneur | India Employment Visa India · skilled worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | India | India |
| Category | Entrepreneur | Skilled Worker |
| Application Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Minimum Income | — | $2,080 /mo |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 1 months | 1 months |
| Family Included | No | Spouse and dependent children may obtain an X (Dependent) visa to accompany the primary Employment Visa holder. |
| Path to PR | No | No |
| Path to Citizenship | No | No |
| Physical Presence | Typically issued for up to 5 years with multiple entries; each stay capped at 180 days. No continuous residency rights. | Typically valid for 1 year or the contract duration, renewable up to 5 years. Holder must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival if staying more than 180 days. |
| Dual Citizenship | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax Impact | India taxes non-residents only on Indian-sourced income. Stays exceeding 182 days in a tax year may trigger resident tax status. | Employment Visa holders residing in India for 182+ days in a financial year are treated as tax residents and subject to Indian income tax on India-sourced income. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 182 days/yr | 182 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | — | $80 |
About India Business Visa
India's Business Visa is a multiple-entry visa that permits foreign nationals to travel to India for business purposes including trade discussions, attending conferences, exploring investment opportunities, and establishing commercial ventures. It does not permit the holder to take up employment or earn income in India. The visa is not a residency pathway but can be valid for up to five years with stays of up to 180 days per visit.
Full India Business Visa profile →About India Employment Visa
India's Employment Visa is issued to foreign nationals hired by Indian companies or entities to work in skilled or highly skilled roles, with a minimum annual salary of $25,000 USD. The visa requires employer sponsorship and is not open to self-employed individuals. It does not provide a pathway to permanent residency in India, but can be renewed for up to five years as long as the employment relationship continues.
Full India Employment Visa profile →Gotchas to Watch For
India Business Visa
- ⚠India Business Visa strictly prohibits local employment — receiving a salary from an Indian company requires an Employment Visa and can result in deportation
- ⚠e-BV is valid only for entry at designated airports — arriving at a minor or land port without proper visa causes denial of entry
- ⚠The 180-day-per-visit limit on e-BV is not the same as 180 days total — it means no single stay exceeds 180 days (but you can re-enter)
- ⚠US citizens pay significantly higher visa fees (~USD 160) due to reciprocity arrangements
- ⚠India has strict photography restrictions — photograph military installations, airports, or border areas and risk arrest
- ⚠FRRO registration is required within 14 days for stays exceeding 180 days or for certain nationalities (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Myanmar) regardless of duration
India Employment Visa
- ⚠Employment Visa is strictly employer-specific — if you change jobs you must leave India and reapply for a new visa for the new employer
- ⚠The USD 25,000/yr salary minimum is hard: no exceptions for most nationalities (ethnic Indians, translators, and NGO workers are exceptions)
- ⚠FRRO registration within 14 days of arrival is mandatory — missing this deadline results in fines and possible visa complications
- ⚠India does not permit dual citizenship — naturalisation (11 years) requires renouncing your original nationality
- ⚠Pakistan nationals face additional MHA security clearance with unpredictable timelines (can take months)
- ⚠Getting a PAN card is necessary for salary and taxes — apply promptly after FRRO registration
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.