India Immigration Process

Table of Contents
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................................................................1
Objective....................................................................................................................................................................................2
Type of Visa...............................................................................................................................................................................2
Definitions.................................................................................................................................................................................2
India Business Visa...................................................................................................................................................................2
Business application process (if applying from Canada).................................................................................2
Submission of Visa applications...........................................................................................................................2
Process in person from Indian Visa & Consular Service Centre......................................................................................3
Process via Postal mail.....................................................................................................................................................3
Documents required from Traveler......................................................................................................................3
Documents Required from GPM............................................................................................................................3
India Employment Visa (Employment Visa)..........................................................................................................................3
Employment visa application process (if applying from Canada)................................................................4
Submission of Visa applications...........................................................................................................................4
Documents required from Traveler......................................................................................................................4
Documents Required from local GPM POC........................................................................................................5
Steps of Doneness..........................................................................................................................................................5
Pre Travel (For all nationals)...................................................................................................................................5
Post Travel after reaching India............................................................................................................................5
Extensions.....................................................................................................................................................................6
FRROs in India.............................................................................................................................................................6
Driving License............................................................................................................................................................7
Frequently Asked Questions....................................................................................................................................................7
Additional Sites/Information...................................................................................................................................................8
Taxation..............................................................................................................................................................................8
Flights..................................................................................................................................................................................8
Accommodation..............................................................................................................................................................8
Vaccination........................................................................................................................................................................8
Health Insurance.............................................................................................................................................................8
Process Information...............................................................................................................................................................10
Process owner................................................................................................................................................................10
Last Date of Review.....................................................................................................................................................10
Reviewed by...................................................................................................................................................................10

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India Immigration Process

Objective
This document provides a detailed description of Immigration processes for India for our travelers
traveling from any Sapient office to India. Travelers refer to individuals who are not Indian citizens
or permanent residents of India

Type of Visa

Business Visa Short term stay only for business meetings.

Employment Visa Long term stay with work purpose.

Definitions
The type of visa would depend on the purpose of travel, duration of travel and the activities to be
performed during the stay in India.

India Business Visa

This can be obtained for Foreign nationals who will be traveling to India for business meetings,
presentation, establish an industrial/business venture, explore possibilities to setup ventures, sell
or purchase industrial product and to conduct knowledge sharing sessions in India.
Duration of Visa/ Stay
The Embassy/ Consulate
may grant Business visa
from 6months to a year.
Please note the validity of
the visa is effective from
the date of issue.

Eligibility Criteria
All Foreign Sapient employees
are eligible provided their
purpose of travel is strictly
business.
-

Exceptions
No exceptions, it is applicable
for all nationals.

Attending technical
meetings/ discussions,
attending board of Directors
meeting, business support
meetings.
To monitor the progress of
project in India.
Sales/Marketing in India
Sale or purchase of product
Establish a business
venture
Exploring possibility of
establishing business
venture.

For work related purpose check

India Employment Visa process
India Business/Employment Visa (All Nationals)
Business/Employment Visa authorization can be obtained from the High Commission of India in
the country of origin

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India Immigration Process

Business application process (if applying from Canada)
Submission of Visa applications

Applications can be processed in person with Indian Visa and Consular services centre or
Via postal mail

Process in person from Indian Visa & Consular Service Centre

Processing time:
It will take 5-7 working days for Canadian national application to be approved and for your
passport to be returned. For Non-Canadian nationals it can take 10-15working day to 4-6weeks
depending upon your nationality. For more details check given link
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/processing-time.aspx.
Indian Visa and Consular Services addresses, location and office timings can be found at
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/index.aspx
Process via Postal mail
Postal applications need a minimum of 10 - 12 working days to be processed. This does not
include the period they are in transit. Please note that the above mentioned times are dependent
on the High Commission of India (HCI)/ Consulate General of India (CGI) of India and will not
be same for all visa cases.

Documents required from Traveler

Dutch Nationals
Application form duly filed and signed by the applicant, for Canadian Nationals it is available at
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/images/VisaApplicationForm.pdf and for other nationals click at
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/visa.aspx to find appropriate form for business visa application
Two recent color passport size (about 35 mm x 35mm) photograph in color, showing full frontal
view of face against a white background to be pasted/stapled on the application form
(specifications)
Current Valid passport with minimum of 190 days validity. Previous passport for, Canadian
passport holders not born in Canada
Checklist
Tracking of your application can be done at given link https://www.visaservices.co.in/HCICANADA-TRACK-PASSPORT/
Visa Fees

Documents Required from GPM

Invite Letter from Sapient India (will be sent to you as helpdesk ticket reply or via email after
you have raised a ticket)
Support letter from Sapient Canada (will be provided by GPM India or attachment to the your
Help Desk reply)

India Employment Visa (Employment Visa)

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India Immigration Process

This can be obtained for people who will be traveling to India for executing projects/contracts in
India, and it is issued only for skilled and qualified professional or to a person who is being
engaged or appointed by an Indian company/organization on contract or employment basis.
Duration of Visa/ Stay
The Embassy/ Consulate
may grant Employment visa
valid for a year irrespective
of the duration of the
contract. Further extension
up to 5 years could be
obtained from Ministry of
Home Affairs/Foreigners
Regional Registration Office
in the concerned state of
India. Please note the
validity of the visa is
effective from the date of
issue.

Eligibility Criteria
All Sapient employees are eligible
provided they are traveling for the
following purposes-

Exceptions
No exceptions, it is
applicable for all
nationals.

Project development or execution,

coding, designing, repairing
under annual maintenance
contract, installation of
equipments
for imparting training for Indian
companys personal
Technical support, knowhow etc
Consultant on fix remuneration
received from Indian company
Work as consultant on fixed
remuneration receivable from the
Indian company
Provide engineering, medical,
accounting, legal or such highly
skilled services in their capacity as
independent consultants (self
employed)

It requires
- Recognized qualifications or
Specialization. (Need to have
proofs of any specialization under
which this person is traveling on
project work to India).
- Employment with India Company.
India Business/Employment Visa (All Nationals)
Business/Employment Visa authorization can be obtained from the High Commission of India in
the country of origin

Employment visa application process (if applying from Canada)

Submission of Visa applications

Applications can be either submitted in person or

Submitted through Post

Applications need to be submitted through Visa Application Centre. Kindly refer to the link
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/images/VisaFeeList.pdf for addresses (Click on the city name reflecting on left
hand bar), working hours and visa fees of the Indian Embassy as per your geography.
Processing time

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India Immigration Process

Processing times vary from application to application at the sole discretion of the High
Commission of India and its Consulates in the Canada. Kindly refer to the link
http://in.vfsglobal.ca/processing-time.aspx. It can take 2 months to process EV for India

Documents required from Traveler

Visa application form to be uploaded through the link

http://in.vfsglobal.ca/visa.aspx#employment
Two recent Passport size photographs stapled to the form. The specifications can be
referred on the link http://in.vfsglobal.ca/visa.aspx#employment
Valid Passport (the validity of the Passport should be for more than six months)
Required visa fee. Recent fee can be referred through the link http://www.indiavisa.com/canada-info.htm#visa-fees
Proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the Company, etc.
Proof of registration of the company under relevant provisions of the Government of India
are required to be submitted with the application.
Copy of educational certificates. Please note that the certificates should be in English as
they need to be translated & notarized from the concerned local authority

Documents Required from local GPM POC

Cover Letter issued by GPM POC requesting Employment Visa.

Assignment letter issued by GPM local geography POC with clause related to compensation,
tax liability.

Steps of Doneness
Pre Travel (For all nationals)

Traveler raises a helpdesk ticket under People Success along with the Project Approval (Time
Taken 1 working day)
GPM verifies the purpose along with duration of travel and sends the next steps to the Traveler
for submission of application with High Commission of India(Time Taken 1 working day)
Local GPM POC will verify the documents before the travelers submit the same with High
Commission of India. (Time Taken 1 week). Individual to make sure that all the documents are
in order before applying for visa with the consulate directly.
Local GPM POC prepares the Cover Letter from Sapient for further processing. (Time Taken 2
working days).
Traveler submits the application with the High Commission of India & intimates the GPM POC.
(Time Taken 1 working day). The processing with High Commission to approve the application.
To track application status click on given link
UK - https://www.visaservices.co.in/IHC-UK/Track_Passport.aspx
US - https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/track-Passport
High Commission of India issues the Employment Visa/Entry Visa
Traveler travels to India with Passport along with the Entry Visa.
GPM tracks the assignment dates of the Traveler.
Medical Check if travelling from UK: Kindly refer to the link
http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/notices.aspx for further details in view of the spread of the Swine
Influenza A (H1N1)
Required Vaccinations
Foreign nationals coming from countries infected with yellow fever must present a valid
vaccination certificate on arrival.

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India Immigration Process

Apart from yellow fever vaccinations for nationals coming from infected areas, there are no
vaccination requirements for entry into India. Certain vaccinations, however, are
recommended. These include tetanus and diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera. In
addition, it is advisable to bring several months' worth of anti-malaria drugs. For further details
kindly refer to the link
http://peopleportal/PolicyHowTo/TravelRelocation/Travel/Pages/IndiaTravelInformation.aspx?
from=Dusseldorf&to=Gurgaon&webpart_type=travel
Post Travel after reaching India
Registration process: http://www.immihelp.com/nri/foreigner-registration/foreigners-regionalregistration-officers.html

All foreign nationals entering India who hold a visa indicating a stay of more than 180 days
must register at the District Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the city of
his/her intended residence within 14 days of arriving in India.
Exceptions include nationals of Pakistan and nationals of Afghanistan. Pakistani nationals must
register at the port of entry and also with the Indian police within 24 hours of arrival,
regardless of the length of stay indicated in their visa.
Nationals of Afghanistan must register with the Foreign Registration Office within seven days of
arrival in India, regardless of the length of stay indicate in their visa.

The FRRO registration number is very important for foreign nationals, as it allows them to apply
for bank accounts, local currency credit cards and many other important facets of life in India.
All foreign nationals who intend to live and work in India for longer than six months must obtain a
residence permit. Permits are valid for one or two years (or up to the validity of your visa), and can
be renewed for similar periods. The following documentation must be presented to the FRRO or
district superintendent:
original visa
original Passport and photocopy
ten recent Passport-sized photos
completed registration application form
completed application for residential permit
photocopy of employment contract letter of application stating purpose of visit
notarized documents of reimbursement submitted by a guarantor in case of continuing
residence in India need to check medical certificate (indicating HIV test results)
Extensions

Extensions are only allotted in one year increments.

For all other destinations in India, foreign nationals should register with the superintendent of
police in their district of residence.
Visa extension applications and all other information regarding visas and permits can be
directed to the FRROs at New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta or Madras, or at an office headquarters
of the superintendent of police.

FRROs in India
Most foreign registration offices in Indias major cities are located close to police headquarters.
Otherwise, the office is located at the office of the district superintendent of police.
Bangalore
Foreign nationals should report to the District Superintendent of Police

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India Immigration Process

Calcutta
237, AJC Bose Road, Calcutta
Tel: [91](33) 247-0549; 552-8830
Chennai (Madras)
CHIO, 26, Haddows Road, Chennai
Tel: [91](44) 827-7036
Mumbai
3rd Floor, Special Branch Bldg.
Badruddin Tayabji Lane
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001
Tel: [91](22) 022-22621169
Fax: [91](22) 022-22620721
New Delhi
FRRO
East Block VIII, Level II
Sector-1, R.K. Puram
New Delhi 110066
Tel: [91](11) 011 26711384
Fax: [91](11} 011 26711348
Gurgaon
FRRO
Room No. 312,
3rd Floor,
Office of Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Mini Secretariat (next to Gurgaon Court)
Gurgaon 122 001
Driving License
Foreign nationals cannot legally drive in India with their home-country driving license. They should
obtain an international driving license in their home country prior to arrival in India. International
driving license are usually valid for six months, and must be renewed in the country of issue.
To obtain an Indian driving license, applications can be made to the Regional Transport Authority
(RTO) in the district of your residence. RTOs issue learners permits which are valid for six months.
A learner's permit will enable the foreign national to drive while accompanied by someone who
possesses a valid Indian driving license. One month after the learners permit is issued; the foreign
national may take a practical driving test and a verbal exam on local Indian driving laws. If the
exam is passed, the Regional Transport Authority will issue an Indian driving license.
The following documentation is required when applying for an Indian driving license:
international driving permit
Passport
three photo ids
Form 4 (filled out)
completed application form
Permanent driving licenses are valid throughout India for up to three years.
Post Travel before leaving India

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India Immigration Process

All tax liabilities will need to be paid over before the Employment Visa holder is permitted to
leave the country.
Employment Visa Holder collects the Tax Clearance Certificate from the Income Tax
Department
Employment Visa Holder must intimate the FRRO about the departure date from India
Local GPM POC tracks the assignment details

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be my POC in GPM NA or GPM EU or GPM India?

a. NA (US/Canada) Alyssa Cohen
b. UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark Ezeibe Agomo, Shumi Begum
c. Switzerland, Germany, Austria Christiane Graefling.
d. India Nidhi Srivastava, Sonia Singh, Swati Sagar & Immanuel S Babu

How much time it takes to get Employment Visa or Business processed?

It varies from nationality to nationality & as per Consulate of the particular geography.

Can we directly contact High Commission of India to know the status of my

Employment or Business Visa?
Yes, you can.
For other countries you will need to directly check with the High Commission or most of the
India consulate has online option to check the status of the application.

How long I can stay on the Employment or Business Visa?

Employment Visa You can stay in India till the validity of your Employment Visa
Business Visa It depends on duration of entry permit given at the point of entering into India
by Immigration officer.

Who will pay the Employment or Business visa fee for me?
Employment visa fees if paid by the traveler can be reimbursed by filing expense report
against your project PID.

Can we travel back and forth on an Employment Visa or will the permit become
invalid once I leave the country?
If your Employment Visa valid & of Multiple Entry then your Employment Visa remains valid but
you will just need to intimate the FRRO every time you move in and out of India.

Additional Sites/Information
Taxation

http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/

Flights
You can book your flights through Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). The link for the same is
https://sbt.carlsonwagonlit.com/thetravelersite?Sapient.
You can access your account by clicking on the above link:Username Your Sapient email address or your PIN
Password - This was created by you earlier.

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India Immigration Process

Accommodation

You can book your accommodation by opening up a Help desk ticket with Office Services (OS).
Upon receiving your request they will arrange the accommodation for you along with the airport
pick-up.

Vaccination
No mandatory vaccinations for India required. However, some vaccinations are recommended.
Please also check the vaccination and travel guidelines given on the People Portal.
http://peopleportal/PolicyHowTo/TravelRelocation/Travel/Pages/IndiaTravelInformation.aspx?
from=Dusseldorf&to=Gurgaon&webpart_type=travel
For more information, please go to the following website:
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/india.html

Health Insurance
While traveling on your official trip to India, you are covered under a health insurance plan from
AETNA.
Traveling for <180DAYS
If you are travelling for less than 180 days you will be automatically covered under AETNA Short
term plan and you dont need to sign up for the insurance prior you travel. The soft copy of the ID
card and other details are at given link :
http://peopleportal2/Content/CompAndBen/NA%20benefits/Pages/Global-Short-Term-TravelInsurance.aspx
Traveling for > 180DAYS
If you are travelling for more than 180 days you will need to get enroll on AETNA Long Term. For
enrollment open ticket under People Success and your ticket will be routed to GPM India team to
take further action. Further details on Long Term Plan are given at the following link:
http://peopleportal2/Content/CompAndBen/NA%20benefits/Pages/Global-Long-Term-TravelInsurance.aspx

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India Immigration Process

Process Information
Process owner
Process Administration: Global People Movement, India
Process related changes / updates: Global People Movement, India
Last Date of Review
October 29 2009
Reviewed by
Kamal Kumar Karwal, Swati Sagar (Global People Movement)

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