India Work Visa: What UK Applicants Need to Know
There is no e-Visa route for working in India. If you're planning to take up paid work there, here's what actually applies to you: the regular Employment Visa, and a separate route for younger applicants.
India Visa / Employment Visa
There's No Work e-Visa for India
India's e-Visa system doesn't cover employment. The e-Business Visa allows business meetings, conferences and short-term commercial activity, but not taking up a paid role with an Indian employer. Anyone planning to work in India needs a regular, non-electronic visa instead.
Employment Visa: Who It's For
The Employment Visa is granted to skilled or qualified professionals engaged by an employer, company or organisation in India, including intra-company transfers and NGO roles. It generally isn't granted for positions that qualified Indian nationals could fill, or for routine, clerical or secretarial jobs.
Typical requirements:
- Sponsorship by an Indian company, organisation or NGO
- A gross salary above the Indian government's minimum threshold for foreign employees (some roles, such as language teachers, performing artistes and sports coaches, are treated differently)
- Proof of your employment contract or engagement
- Evidence of your qualifications and professional background
- A company undertaking confirming the role could not be filled by a qualified Indian national
India-UK Young Professionals Scheme
If you're a UK national aged 18 to 30 with a degree, you may qualify for a separate route that allows you to live and work in India for up to two years. It's a distinct visa from the Employment Visa, with its own application process, fee and eligibility rules, and it excludes work in a defined list of sectors.
How to Apply
Neither the Employment Visa nor the Young Professionals Scheme is applied for online through the e-Visa portal. Employment Visa applications go through VFS Global; Young Professionals Scheme applications go directly through the High Commission of India. Both require supporting documents specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Business eVisa to work in India?
No. The Business eVisa covers meetings, conferences and short-term commercial activity, not salaried employment with an Indian entity.
Is there a minimum salary for the Employment Visa?
Yes, the Indian government sets a minimum gross salary threshold for most sponsored roles, with some listed exceptions. The exact figure is set by the Indian authorities and can change, so confirm the current threshold before applying.
What's the difference between the Employment Visa and the Young Professionals Scheme?
The Employment Visa requires sponsorship by an Indian employer and has no age limit. The Young Professionals Scheme is only open to UK nationals aged 18 to 30 with a degree, and doesn't require employer sponsorship in the same way.
Can I apply for an Employment Visa online?
No. It's a regular visa, submitted in person through VFS Global, not through the e-Visa portal.
If your trip to India is for business meetings or short-term commercial activity rather than paid employment, you may only need our Business eVisa.