American moving to India

[JohnP2]

Hi all,

I’m sure someone on here can help with my basic questions , so I thank you in advance for anything you can share.

I am a US Citizen, who has decided to move to India. Just as you see these “expats” in the Phillipines, I have selected India as my country of choice to move to (after recently losing my wife).
Even if you can only answer one of the below questions, I really appreciate it:

MY QUESTIONS
Initial Stay
1. What sort of Visa should I apply for?
2. What is the longest I can stay, and what is the fastest turn-around time I can return?
As an example, I have heard of people going to Nepal and then coming back to India. I saw one “vlog” where the guy said he went to the Indian embassy in Nepal to renew his Indian visa and then returned to India, but did not say how long he stayed there.

After First Year
Seeing as I am still fairly young (52) I imagine within/after I will procure work. Are there expat-friendly jobs that people can find in India? I’ve read something about online “English tutors”?
Currently, I work in software development for a global company (and I have resources who report to me in Bangalore and Kolkata. So my hope is to get sponsored by a tech company who is contracted with a. American company, but curious if there are other (normal) jobs popular with expats I can quickly get?

The gist of it, I am simply wanting to move there. What is the best approach to take so I can do this.
Any and all advice is appreciated!

[arkaa]

If you can get a job before you enter the country, you can apply for a work visa. Shouldn't be too difficult as you are in Software Development, and India is the leading out-sourcing hub for that.

Else you will have to get a visitor visa. Don't get the e-Visa, it only allows stay of up to 60 days and that too twice an year. You will have to get the stamped visa on your passport with 10 year validity. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months at a time. Not sure about how quickly you can return after you leave the country (to Nepal or elsewhere).

Not sure why you decided on India, but be careful about where you stay in India - not all areas are foreigner friendly. It will take you some time to adjust and to figure out the people.

[JohnP2]

Thank you for the reply. So understand, I can get a “visitor Visa” that is somehow “stamped on my passport”, correct?
Do you have any additional information such as a website or some entity where I can research this further?
my issue is I don’t know who to even talk to about this? Do I go to my local Indian embassy? Or who l don’t talk to about my Visa options? Thank you

[Donald_Trump]

Thank you for the reply. So understand, I can get a “visitor Visa” that is somehow “stamped on my passport”, correct?
Do you have any additional information such as a website or some entity where I can research this further?
my issue is I don’t know who to even talk to about this? Do I go to my local Indian embassy? Or who l don’t talk to about my Visa options? Thank you

So, are you looking to permanently move and live in India? Do you have any any connections with India currently (any immediate family member who is an Indian or of Indian origin by birth etcetra?) or are you a white/black American (not being racist here) who wants to immigrate to India?

There isn't much details on how to immigrate to India as India doesn't have a well defined immigration process (It doesn't need extra people as it is already over populated). And not many people really want to move to India for good.

If you just want to visit India, then there is e-visa that allows upto 30 days stay which you can apply here - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

If you need a longer visa, then you need to apply for a sticker tourist visa through VFS. See step by step process - https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa

Currently, all visa services for India is handled by VFS. You can't directly contact Consulate/Embassy for it. However, if you do need to find any information, then you can contact the officials at the Embassy, whose contact details are available on the Embassy's website.

I hope this helps!

[JohnJohnsonnnS]

India's a beautiful place with a lot to offer. In terms of your visa, you might want to look into a long-term visa like an Employment or Business Visa since you're eyeing potential work opportunities. For the initial stay, these visas often provide longer durations and might suit your situation. Regarding renewals, hopping over to Nepal is a common strategy to reset visa stays, but embassy rules might vary.

As for jobs, your background in software development is a huge plus. Tech companies in India often seek skilled individuals, especially with your managerial experience. Expats commonly find roles in teaching English online too. Keep an eye on global companies with a presence in India—they often look for talent.

[Liberty48]

JohnP2, as a visitor, you can't stay more than 180 days in India. You can extend it, but you may have to jump through the Indian "ways of doing things". The employment route is the best option. So, you get paid and can explore your options before settling. Google "India FRRO" and you will get a bunch of websites that can provide government regulations and instructions on visiting and staying in India for foreigners.