India — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
1,417,492,000 people · Capital: New Delhi · Southern Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
India is located in Southern Asia, with a population of 1,417,492,000. Its currency is the Indian rupee. Our database tracks 18 visa pathways for India, each linked to a named source.
See also: India country profile
Popular routes to India: Nepal To India Migration
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (18)
Sponsored Employment (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Visa | €1,234/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
| Intern Visa | €592/mo | €18 | 12 mo | 30d |
| Project Visa | €1,252/mo | €284 | 12 mo | — |
Investment / Golden Visa (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residency Status (PRS) | — | — | 120 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | €1,252/mo | €18 | 60 mo | — |
Research & Academia (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Visa | €154/mo | €18 | 36 mo | — |
Family Reunification (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (X) Visa | — | €47 | 60 mo | — |
Ancestry & Descent (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by Registration | — | €0 | — | — |
| Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) | €240/mo | €253 | — | 30d |
General Residence (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term Visa (LTV) | — | €1 | 12 mo | — |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) | — | €0 | — | — |
| Citizenship by Naturalization | — | €0 | — | — |
Artists & Entertainers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film Visa | — | — | 12 mo | — |
Religious Workers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missionary Visa | €2,179/mo | €9 | 12 mo | — |
Media & Journalists (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalist Visa | — | — | 3 mo | 56d |
Medical Treatment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Visa (MED) | — | — | — | — |
Business Visit (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | €1,252/mo | €18 | 60 mo | — |
| e-Business Visa | — | — | 6 mo | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | India | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €160 | €1,200 | -87% |
| Rent (3BR) | €550 | €2,000 | -72% |
| Groceries | €45 | €350 | -87% |
| Transport | €15 | €80 | -81% |
| Utilities | €35 | €150 | -77% |
| Dining (meal) | €2 | €15 | -87% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €6,500 |
| Education | €5,500 |
| Engineering | €11,000 |
| Finance | €12,000 |
| Healthcare | €6,000 |
| Hospitality | €4,000 |
| IT | €12,000 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineers (Information Technology)
- Data Scientists (Information Technology)
- Healthcare Professionals (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineers (Engineering)
- Nurses (Healthcare)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | 85 | 156 | €2,500 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | 120 | 142 | €2,400 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 172 | 128 | €2,300 |
| University of Delhi | 261 | 89 | €1,800 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | 290 | 104 | €1,950 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 13 of the 13 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 6 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- mha.gov.in · 4 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- cgisf.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-20
- cgisf.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-20
- indiacinehub.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- boi.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- cgisf.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- ociservices.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- cgidubai.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- mha.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- indianvisaonline.gov.in · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Medical Visa (MED) + Medical Attendant Visa (MED X) · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “A medical visa (MED Visa) is granted for an individual whose sole purpose is to seek medical treatment in established/recognized/specialized hospitals/treatment centers in India. - Applicant should submit the medical documents establishing the need for and the bonafides (Letter…” — cgisf.gov.in
Employment Visa · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “should draw a gross salary in excess of Rs. 16.25 lakhs per annum.” — mha.gov.in, 2026-07-09
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “USD 275 application fee — ociservices.gov.in official FAQ 2025” — ociservices.gov.in
Intern Visa · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “should draw a minimum remuneration of Rs. 7.80 lakhs per annum.” — mha.gov.in, 2026-07-09
Student Visa · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “The foreigner should be a person of assured financial standing (A letter of support from the parent/guardian accompanied by a bank guarantee/ certificate may be accepted for this purpose). The foreigners should also produce evidence of transfer of adequate funds for at least 4…” — mha.gov.in, 2026-07-06
e-Business Visa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Official country-wise e-Visa fee table: the standard e-Business Visa fee is US$120, applicable to the majority of nationalities (98 of 176 listed countries). The fee is reciprocity-based and varies by nationality.” — indianvisaonline.gov.in, 2026-07-07
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does India have?
Our database tracks 18 visa pathways for India across 13 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Naturalisation & Citizenship, Ancestry & Descent. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the Intern Visa?
The Intern Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 592 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-24).
What is the average salary in India?
The average gross salary in India is EUR 200 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 48 per month.
How much does rent cost in India?
A one-bedroom apartment in India averages EUR 160 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 550 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in India?
The top personal income tax rate in India is 39%. The standard VAT rate is 5%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in India?
Among the pathways we track, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) lists 5 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for India
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