India

Business visit visa / Work visa

The business "B" Visa is used for business visits, allows multiple entries, and is generally issued for six months to five years (up to 10 years for citizens of Canada, Japan, UK, and the US) and permits a maximum stay of six months. Certain nationals are eligible for an e-Visa, valid for 365 days from the date of issuance of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and allows multiple entries. Visitors must apply for an ETA online at least four days prior to arrival. Generally, a business visitor's stay (whether "B" Visa or e-Visa) must not exceed three to four weeks or the purpose of stay may be construed as work by the immigration authorities.

The Employment Visa is the general employment-based immigration category in India. Employment Visa subcategories are issued based on the purpose of the visit. In particular, the Project (E-4) Visa is a narrowly tailored subcategory of the Employment Visa issued to foreign nationals going to India to work on projects in the power and steel sectors.

Foreign nationals generally obtain their business and work visas from an Indian consular post in their country of residence or citizenship. Typically, the consular post endorses a specific visa subcategory based on the purpose of travel indicated in the visa applicant’s online application.