Question 1

What is the limit on importing cigarettes into India?

Accepted Answer

The limit on import of tobacco products to India, subject to Baggage Rules, 2016 is 100 sticks of  cigarettes  or 25 cigars or tobacco not exceeding 125 grams.

Question 2

What is the limit on Indian currency that can be imported?

Accepted Answer

A person who has gone outside India on a temporary visit or a person resident outside India (except for citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh) may bring into India currency notes of the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding INR 25,000 per person, subject to such conditions as notified by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time.

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Question 3

What are the guidelines for bringing foreign currency to India?

Accepted Answer

Any person can bring foreign exchange into India without any limit in any form other than currency notes, bank notes and travellers cheques, subject to declaration to the Custom authorities in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form in following cases:


	Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds $ 5,000 or equivalent
	Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveller cheques etc.) exceeds $ 10,000 or its equivalent


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Question 4

What goods are prohibited for import to India?

Accepted Answer

Some of the goods prohibited for import in India are:


	Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances.
	Pornographic material.
	Counterfeit and pirated goods and good infringing any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rights.
	Antiquities.


For more details, please refer to link.

Question 5

What is the limit on jewellery that can be brought to India?

Accepted Answer

As per the Baggage Rules 2016, a passenger who has been residing abroad for over one year is allowed to bring jewellery, free of duty in his bona fide baggage up-to an aggregate weight of 20grams with a cap value of INR 50,000/- (in the case of a gentleman passenger) or 40 grams with a cap value of  INR.1,00,000/- (in the case of a lady passenger).

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Question 6

What are the norms for the import of alcoholic drinks /cigarettes as baggage?

Accepted Answer

Following quantities of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products may be included for import within the duty free allowances admissible to various categories of incoming passengers:
-Alcoholic liquors or wines upto 2 litres
-100 Cigarettes or 25 Cigars or 125 gms. of Tobacco.

The Customs Tariff Act 1975 enlists the rate of duty over and above the mentioned quantities. It can be accessed at the link.

Question 7

What is detained baggage?

Accepted Answer

A passenger may request the Customs to detain his baggage either for re-export at the time of his departure from India or for clearance subsequently on payment of duty. The detained baggage would be examined and full details will be inventoried. Such baggage is kept in the custody of the Customs and a Detention Receipt will be issued.

For more details, please refer to link for more information.

Question 8

Is it possible to get a duplicate copy of the FRRO registration?

Accepted Answer

If any certificate of registration, issued under these rules is lost or destroyed, the foreigner to whom it was issued, shall make or send to the Registration Officer of the district a report on how was it lost or destroyed and a copy of police report to issue a duplicate copy of the certificate of registration.

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Question 9

What should one do with the certificate of registration, when departing from India?

Accepted Answer

Foreign nationals when leaving India shall surrender his certificate of registration either to the registration office of the place where he/she is registered or the immigration office at the post/check exit at the time of final departure from India. Please refer to Link for more information.

Question 10

What if one cannot register within 14 days?

Accepted Answer

A penalty in Indian currency equivalent to $30 in case of late registration is charged. This fee may be revised from time to time. Please refer to Link for more information.

Question 11

What is FRRO registration?

Accepted Answer

The Foreigner Registration Office (FRO) is the primary agency to regulate the registration, movement, stay, departure and for recommending the extension of stay in India. Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) are the regional FROs established across India.

Nodal Ministry for FRROs/ FROs is the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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Question 12

For whom is it mandatory to register with FRRO?

Accepted Answer

All foreigners (including those of Indian origin) visiting India on long term (more than 180 days) Student Visa, Medical Visa, Research Visa and Employment Visa are required to get themselves registered with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the jurisdiction where the foreigner intends to stay, typically within 14 days of arrival.

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Question 13

Who is exempted from FRRO registration ?

Accepted Answer

Foreign nationals visiting India are not required to register if their duration of stay in India is less than 180 days. Other than that, those foreigners will not be required to get themselves registered who have entered India on a long-term visa provided their continuous stay in India does not exceed 180 days.

For more details, please refer the link.

Question 14

Where can  I raise my complaint regarding my visa application and FRRO registration?

Accepted Answer

For any queries related to visa matters and PIO , the VISA SUPPORT CENTRE may be contacted through below mentioned phones /e-mails. 
Phone No.-91-11-22560198/22560199, 
E-mail- visasupport@nic.in
For queries related to OCI:E-mail- helpdesk-oci@gov.in

FRRO contact list can be accessed at the following link.

Question 15

Is registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) / Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) mandatory for every foreign national arriving in India?

Accepted Answer

Registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) is mandatory for foreign nationals within 14 days from their date of arrival in India if their visa is valid for longer than 180 days or if the visa stamp specifically requires this registration. Certain categories of visitors are also required to register with the police authorities. However, foreign nationals (except Pakistan nationals) are permitted to depart from India within 14 days of arrival without registering with the FRRO/ FRO.

For more information, click here.

Question 16

What is the usage of Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) registration after departing from India?

Accepted Answer

Foreign nationals when leaving India shall surrender their Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where they were registered or to the Immigration Officer at the port/check post of exit at the time of departure from India.

It is not necessary for foreign nationals to seek departure clearance and they can straightaway depart from the Immigration Check Point, except citizen of Pakistan or Afghanistan.

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Question 17

Are foreign military personnel eligible for OCI grant?

Accepted Answer

No, foreign military personnel either in service or retired, are not entitled to receive the grant of OCI holder. Please refer to Link for more information.

Question 18

If a person is already holding more than one nationality, can he/she apply for OCI?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as the local laws of at least one of the countries allow dual citizenship in some form or other, he/ she can apply for OCI.

Question 19

Can an OCI holder undertake research work in India?

Accepted Answer

Yes, after getting prior approval/special permission from Ministry of Home Affairs, an OCI holder can undertake research work in India.

Please refer to Link for more information.

Question 20

What is the time taken for registration as OCI?

Accepted Answer

Within 30 days of the application, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant. If any adverse information is available, the decision to grant or otherwise is taken within 120 days.

For more details, please refer the following link.

Question 21

Can a person registered as an OCI be granted Indian citizenship?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as an OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship. For more details, please refer link.

Question 22

Will outside conceived offspring of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) be qualified to wind up an Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, foreign-born children of PIOs are eligible to become OCIs provided one of the parents is eligible to become an OCI.

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Question 23

Are there exemptions on income for Non-resident Indian (NRI)?

Accepted Answer

Following incomes are exempt from tax in the hands of a Non-resident Indian (NRI):-


	Interest on notified savings certificates issued before 01-06-2002 by the Central Government if it is subscribed in convertible foreign exchange remitted from a country outside India
	Interest on notified bonds (notified prior to 01-06-2002) purchased in foreign exchange (subject to certain conditions)


For more details, please refer to link

Question 24

Which Income of an international worker is subject to tax in India?

Accepted Answer

In general, all income received or accrued in India is subject to tax. Various types of income which are taxed are as follows:


	Income from salaries
	Self-employment and business income
	Capital gains income
	Income from house property
	Other incomes

Question 25

What are the capital instruments permitted for investment by Foreign corporation in an Indian subsidiary?

Accepted Answer

Capital instruments means equity shares, fully, compulsorily and mandatorily convertible debentures, fully compulsorily and mandatorily convertible preference shares and share warrants issued by the Indian company.

Question 26

How to inform the ITD regarding the change in my organisation’s name?

Accepted Answer

Forward a written request on the letterhead of your organization duly signed by authorized signatory mentioning your user ID to the ITD along with the requisite documentary proof showing change in the name of organisation.

For more information, click here.

Question 27

What is the monetary threshold for applicability of CbCR regulations for a CE?

Accepted Answer

The CbCR regulations would be applicable for every CE of an international group, where the consolidated group revenue for the reporting accounting year preceding such previous year exceeds INR 55 billion.

Question 28

Can the employer be changed post arrival in India in case of employment visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a foreign national is permitted to change employment between a registered holding company and its subsidiaries. Further, such a change is also permissible between joint ventures and Consortiums after obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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Question 29

I committed an error while topping off the online application. Is it conceivable to make redresses on the web?

Accepted Answer

The online application form for e-visa cannot be edited once it has been submitted. The applicant must verify all the information entered before submitting the application and taking printout. In case of an error, the applicant must file a new form online.

For more information, click here

Question 30

Are individuals on visa subject to pay imposes in India?

Accepted Answer

An expatriate staying in India and not a citizen is liable to pay tax on any income earned by him or her in India, irrespective of the nature of work or the country of citizenship of the expatriate.

If income of the expatriate is taxable in India as well as in his or her country of origin, the expatriate can seek benefit of the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) signed between India and several other countries to avoid paying double taxes on such income.

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Question 31

What is the eligibility criteria for Entry (‘X’) Visa in India?

Accepted Answer

Entry (‘X’) Visa may be granted to a foreigner in the following cases :- 


	A Person of Indian Origin, who do not possess an OCI card, and may be granted ‘X-1’ Visa for five years at a time, with multiple entry facility.
	Spouse and children of an Indian citizen/ Person of Indian Origin/ OCI cardholder (other than those who are registered as OCI cardholder) may be granted ‘X-2’ visa for five years at a time, with multiple entry facility.


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Question 32

Is it conceivable that the visa allowed to me is for a lesser span than I initially connected?

Accepted Answer

Visa issued by the Embassy or the Consulate is not a matter of right and is entirely up to the Competent Authority to decide on the issue of such visa. In some circumstances, visa may be issued for a period less than what was requested by the applicant.

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Question 33

What is an e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) in India?

Accepted Answer

e-Tourist Visa is a completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary/agents, etc. However, its validity is for 30 days and it is only valid for single entry into India. The e-Tourist visa allows for visa on arrival issuance only for arrival and departure from the airports in Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum and Varanasi.

For more information, click here

Question 34

What is the Port of Arrival in India which is to be filled in the application frame?

Accepted Answer

The port of arrival (POA), commonly called the port of entry (POE), is the location - typically name of the city - from where on the visitor lawfully enters India.

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Question 35

What is the difference between single and multiple entry visas and e-visas?

Accepted Answer

A single-entry visa allows you to visit India one time while the visa is valid whereas a multiple-entry visa allows you to enter India several times within the validity period of the visa. In case of e-tourist visa and e-business visa, multiple entry visa is granted with a validity of 1 year.

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Question 36

What is the eligibility criteria to apply for an employment visa in India?

Accepted Answer

An Employment visa is granted to a foreigner who is a highly skilled and/or qualified professional. The foreign national being sponsored for an employment visa in any sector should draw a gross salary in excess of $ 25,000 per annum.

The salary threshold limit of $ 25,000 per annum will be worked out taking into account the salary and all other allowances paid to the foreign national in cash and also perquisites like rent free accommodation etc. which are included in the salary for the purpose of calculating income tax.

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Question 37

What is the eligibility criteria for e-Visa in India?

Accepted Answer

e-Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine and business purpose and no other purpose/ activity.

For more information, click here

Question 38

How long will my application for Indian Visa be available online?

Accepted Answer

You can print your Visa Application Form within 30 calendar days of completing it online. To access your completed online application, you are required to note your Web Reference number before you exit. An Email with this information will also be sent to your valid email ID, if provided. . If your application is not submitted for processing within this time, the information will be purged out/deleted from the system and you will need to commence enter your details afresh.

Visa Fees will not be refunded in this situation.

For more information, click here

Question 39

Do I need a visa to change flights/airport terminals in India?

Accepted Answer

You need to apply for a Transit Visa if you are going to change from the International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal of any Indian Airport or if you are going to stay in an airport hotel even for a few hours. In case you remain within limits of the waiting area reserved for International Transit Passengers of the Indian Airport and are not going to cross Immigration Controls at any time, you do not need a transit visa.

Please note: the maximum period of stay in India permitted for a Transit Visa is 72 hours/3 days for each entry and is issued only when Transit/Travel is by Air. The Transit Visa is valid for 15 days only.

For more information, click here

Question 40

What does the salary threshold limit of $ 25,000 per annum for employment visa include?

Accepted Answer

The salary threshold limit of $ 25,000 per annum includes salary and all other allowances paid to the foreign national in cash. Prerequisites like rent free accommodation, etc. which are included in ‘salary’ for the purpose of calculating the income tax may also be taken into account for this purpose. However, prerequisites which are not included for working out the income tax should not be taken into account for working out the salary threshold limit of $ 25,000 per annum.

The company / organisation concerned should clearly indicate in the employment contract:

i) the salary and allowances being paid in cash.

ii) all other prerequisites like rent free accommodation, which would be taken into account for the purpose of working out the income tax payable by the employee. Such prerequisites should also be quantified and indicated in the employment contract.

For more details, please refer the following link.

Question 41

Can a foreigner obtain additional short duration visa while holding an existing long duration visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a relaxation has been provided in this regard. Now, while having a long duration visa (say employment visa, business visa, etc.), a foreigner can also avail a short duration visa (conference visa, transit visa, e-visa and visa-on arrival). In such a scenario, unlike in the past, the long duration visas will not be cancelled but “kept on hold”.

For more information, click here.

Question 42

Can I undertake employment in India on a business visa?

Accepted Answer

No, a foreign citizen cannot undertake employment on the basis of a business visa. Only on an employment visa can a foreign citizen undertake employment in India

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Question 43

Which type of visa would be granted to senior management personnel and/or specialists employed by foreign firms who are relocated to India to work on specific project/management assignment?

Accepted Answer

Senior management personnel and/or specialists employed by foreign firms, who are relocated to India to work on specific project/management assignment can apply for employment visa.

Question 44

Can a foreign company/organization that does not have any project office/subsidiary/joint venture/branch office in India,  sponsor a foreign national/employee of a foreign company for employment visa?

Accepted Answer

No, in case the foreign entity does not have any office in India, it cannot sponsor an employment visa. The visa can be sponsored by an Indian ‘host’ company,The visa can be sponsored by an Indian ‘host’ company subject to following conditions:


	Ensure good conduct of the foreigner during stay in India and inform Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigner’s Registration Officer’s (FRO) office in case of termination of business contract
	Produce the foreigner in person at FRRO/ FRO office within 24 hours in case of withdrawal of undertaking for the good conduct of the foreigner.


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Question 45

If the Indian organization/entity sponsors an employment visa, does this mean that the Indian organization/entity has to necessarily be the legal employer of the person?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not necessary for Indian organization/entity sponsoring an employment visa to necessarily be the legal employer of the person.

Question 46

Can foreign nationals already in India for executing projects on business visas be allowed to convert their business visas to employment visas without leaving the country?

Accepted Answer

Business Visa shall be non-convertible to any other type of visa except in specific cases.

For more details, please refer the following link.

Question 47

What activities are permissible under Tourist Visa?

Accepted Answer

Tourist Visa can be granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short-term yoga programme, etc. and no other purpose/ activity.

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Question 48

What is the processing time for Indian Visa?

Accepted Answer

If applying for Visa other than the tourist visa, it is recommended that you apply 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date.

For Tourist visa (eTA), upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

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Question 49

Do I need a visa to go to India?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all foreigners except for nationals of Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives, need a visa to enter India. With regard to Maldives' nationals, a visa is required if intended stay in India would be longer than 90 days. Nationals of Nepal would need a visa , if they enter India via China. A citizen of Bhutan entering India by land or air does not require passport or visa for entry into India, unless entering India from a place other than Bhutan. In that case, passport is must. However, he/she must have a passport and visa for India if he/she is entering in India from China. For diplomatic and official passport holders, many nationalities are exempted from the Indian Visa.

The detailed list can be accessed at link.

Question 50

Is it possible to apply for an Indian visa at the airport?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not possible to apply for an India visa at the airport. Eligible citizens traveling for leisure/tourism purposes have the option to apply for an Indian e-visa online, before they depart for India. Once the visa is granted, citizens will have to get biometric information taken at the airport and the visa stamped on the passport on arrival in India.

For more information, click here

Question 51

Can a foreign national holding ‘E’ visa coming for honorary work draw a salary?

Accepted Answer

A foreign national coming as a volunteer for honorary work with the NGOs registered in the country, may be paid an honorarium up-to a ceiling of INR 10,000 per month ($ 154 per month, subject to exchange rate fluctuations).

Questions?