India

Move to India

overview

Welcome to India

India, located in South Asia, is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions. Its economy is driven by technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and a growing services sector, making it one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. The country’s iconic landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal, bustling cities like Mumbai and Delhi, and varied geography ranging from the Himalayas to the beaches of Goa, attract visitors and expatriates seeking a unique blend of ancient history, modern innovation, and cultural diversity.

overview

India Essentials

National Anthem

Jana Gana Mana

Independence Day

August 15, 1947

Haiko

Taj Mahal glows white / Sacred Ganges flows with life / Spices scent the air

Interesting Tradition

Holds Holi festival where people throw colored powder and water at each other

Weirdest Local Superstition

Don't sweep after sunset or you'll sweep away Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to use the national flag as clothing

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the diversity, stay for the dynamism: India merges ancient traditions with a thriving modern economy. Life moves between morning visits to iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and afternoon engagements in tech hubs like Bengaluru, while evenings offer vibrant culinary and cultural experiences. With a booming startup ecosystem and a focus on innovation, India is a magnet for entrepreneurs and digital nomads eager to tap into its vast potential.

overview

आइए (Aaiye)

Step into a land where diversity isn’t just celebrated, but woven into every facet of life. Here, centuries-old temples and modern skyscrapers coexist, and every encounter offers a chance to experience the vibrancy, tradition, and innovation of incredible India.

overview

Welcome to India

Known for its ancient traditions and modern aspirations, India is a land where every state is a new country and every meal is a festival!

India isn't just a country—it's a kaleidoscope of colors, cultures, and stories. Here, time weaves through ancient temples and bustling bazaars, and even a simple sip of chai becomes a taste of its rich heritage. This is a land where diversity and tradition create a symphony as vast and vibrant as its landscape.

From the iconic Taj Mahal to the serene backwaters of Kerala, India offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for every traveler. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant streets of Mumbai, the spiritual tranquility of Varanasi, or the majestic forts of Rajasthan, you'll find a land brimming with history, culture, and natural beauty. With its diverse traditions, world-renowned cuisine, and unmatched warmth, India invites you to embark on a journey of discovery and create unforgettable memories in the land of a billion dreams.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

Biryani (spiced rice dish with meat or vegetables) - Masala Dosa (crispy rice pancake with spiced potato filling)

Drink

Lassi (yogurt-based sweet or salted drink) - Masala Chai (spiced milk tea)

overview

प्यासा?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1.05

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.10

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.00

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

4.19

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Locals are called 'Indians,' and they take immense pride in their cultural diversity and traditions.
#2
Hospitality is highly valued, and it’s customary to offer guests tea or snacks upon arrival.
#3
Respect for elders is significant, and greetings often involve a 'Namaste' gesture with hands folded.
#4
Traditional festivals like Diwali and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm and communal joy
#5
Modesty in attire and behavior is appreciated, particularly in rural or traditional settings.

overview

India Essentials

Representative Novel

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (Booker Prize, exploring life in Kerala)

National Animal

Tiger

National Pasttime

Cricket

National Souvenir

Pashmina shawl

National Dish

Butter chicken

Famous Festival

Diwali

Famous Dance

Bharatanatyam

Famous Music

Classical (Raga)

overview

Did You Know?

India is home to the world's largest postal network, with over 155,000 post offices serving even remote Himalayan villages accessible only by foot.

India's Taj Mahal changes its apparent color throughout the day, appearing pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening, and golden when lit by moonlight.

India is the only country in the world that has both lions and tigers living naturally in the wild.

overview

India’s Key Historical Events

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE)

April 2014

One of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization, flourished with advanced cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

The Maurya Empire (321–185 BCE)

July 2014

The Maurya Empire, under leaders like Ashoka, united much of the Indian subcontinent and spread Buddhism.

The Mughal Empire (1526–1857)

February 2015

The Mughals established one of India’s most iconic empires, marked by architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal and significant cultural developments.

The Indian Independence Movement (1857–1947)

March 2015

India’s struggle for independence from British rule, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, culminated in independence on August 15, 1947.

Economic Liberalization (1991)

October 2016

India underwent significant economic reforms in 1991, transitioning to a market-driven economy and becoming a global economic player.

MOBILITY

Access India Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
No
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
5 years
DUAL Citizenship
Conditional
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

57

Performance Class

Limited Horizons

Passport Grade

D

Rank

128

Score

36.9

This visa grants access to:

• 30% of the world's population 

• 15% of UNESCO sites 

• 8% of global GDP 

• 15% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to India by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
India
12,746
14,233
15,720
18,994
22,268
24,889
27,509

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

India's Global Rankings 

India, located in South Asia, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant traditions. Its economy is driven by technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and services. From the iconic Taj Mahal to bustling cities like Mumbai and Delhi, and natural wonders like the Himalayas, India offers expatriates and travelers a vibrant mix of ancient heritage and modern innovation.

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
136
Cost of Living
2024
Affordable
40
Quality of Life
2024
Standard
116
Safety
2024
Centered
126
Happiness
2024
Low
128
Tax Burden
2024
Moderate Load
69
English Proficiency
2023
Moderate Proficiency
79
Rule of Law
2024
Fragile
-
Healthcare System
2024
-
-
Pleasant Climate
2024
-

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

28.7

years

Life Expectancy

70.2

years

Obesity Rate

3.90%

Tobacco Use

27.10%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

3.28%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.6

per 1000 people

Doctors

0.7

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

35.20%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Universal Healthcare

India has a mixed healthcare system with free or subsidized services at government hospitals, ensuring basic healthcare for citizens.

Private Healthcare Sector

India’s private healthcare sector is well-developed, offering world-class medical services and attracting medical tourists globally.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in India can access both public and private healthcare, though many prefer private facilities for faster and more advanced treatments.

Medical Tourism Hub

India is a leading destination for medical tourism, particularly for affordable and high-quality treatments in fields like cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology.

Pharmaceutical Accessibility

India is a global hub for pharmaceuticals, with affordable and widely available medications in pharmacies nationwide.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

The World Health Organization's United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000-2021) data describes the coverage of essential health services, defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access, among the general and the most disadvantaged population.
Source:

Healthcare

India Healthcare Cost Calculator

This calculator helps you compare healthcare expenditures between different countries based on per capita health spending data. The tool provides a straightforward comparison by allowing you to:
1. Select your current location from the dropdown menu
2. Choose a comparison country to see the difference in healthcare costs

The calculator displays two key metrics:
• Healthcare Expense Difference: The absolute dollar amount difference in per capita healthcare spending between the selected countries
• Percentage Difference: The relative difference expressed as a percentage
Please note that these calculations are based on annual per capita health expenditure data, which includes current prices and purchasing power parities (PPP). The figures represent total healthcare spending, encompassing both public and private healthcare expenses. For the most accurate planning and decision-making, please consult with healthcare providers or insurance companies in your target country for specific coverage options and costs.
Source:

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

India has a low to moderate cost of living, depending on the region and lifestyle. Metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are more expensive than smaller towns and rural areas. Housing costs vary widely, with modern apartments in urban areas being more expensive, while traditional homes and rural housing are highly affordable. Local goods, food, and services are inexpensive, making it an attractive destination for expatriates and retirees.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.19

per liter

Cost of Meal

$2.89

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$190.50

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$40.47

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$1.97

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

18.00%

cost of living

India Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

India Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

India Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before relocating to India, it's crucial to understand its tax system. India taxes resident expats on their worldwide income and non-residents on Indian-source income. Income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 0% to 35%. An alternative personal tax regime is available. Social security contributions are mandatory. VAT (GST) ranges from 5% to 28%. A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is required for tax purposes. India has numerous double taxation treaties.

Tax Residency Requirement

182 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

Yes

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0-35%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

12.5-20%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

25-30%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

12.5-35%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

0.00%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

10.00%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

2-10%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

10.00%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if physically present for 182 days or more in the tax year, or if they meet the 60-day rule with additional conditions requiring 365 days presence in previous 4 years

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

116

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

67.6

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

49.7
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

252
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

11

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

49.3
%

taxation

India Tax Burden Map

taxation

India Income Tax Calculator

This calculator helps you estimate your income tax obligations based on your personal situation and country of residence. The calculation includes essential tax elements specific to each jurisdiction, such as personal allowances, various types of deductions or tax credits, and progressive tax rates where applicable. The estimation considers multiple key inputs that vary by country, including your annual gross income (in USD), marital status when relevant, number of dependent children, as well as additional factors like medical expenses, educational costs, and retirement contributions.

The calculator provides three main results:
• Total Deductions and/or Tax Credits (based on jurisdiction-specific rules)
• Net Taxable Income (income subject to tax)
• Final Income Tax amount
Please note that these calculations are estimates and can vary significantly depending on specific circumstances, additional income sources, special deductions, and changes in tax regulations across different countries. Some jurisdictions may use tox credits instead of deductions, have different qualifying criteria for dependents, or consider various types of expenses differently. For precise tax planning and compliance, please consult with a qualified tax professional familiar with your jurisdiction's tax laws.
Source:

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Varied climate with tropical monsoon in south and temperate in north

Average Temperature

24.5°C

Humidity

70

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,083 mm

mm

Rainless Days per Year

220

Best Time to Travel

November-March

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in India

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in India.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in India?

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Do I need to speak Hindi to apply for Indian Mobility Assets?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in India with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to India?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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