British citizens who intend to move to India from UK will need to apply for a long-term visa. Living in India will include not only obtaining the right type of visa, but also subsequent changes for securing healthcare, accommodation, or issues regarding one’s driver’s license.
Working with our team of immigration lawyers in India will help you during the transition process and will allow you to rest assured that you have reliable assistance for all of the issues you will need to sort after you arrive in the country.
This article briefly lists the steps for obtaining the visa and the residency status. Each case is different, therefore we encourage you to reach out to us in order to receive personalized information depending on your work status, and the situation of your family who is joining you, if applicable.
Becoming an Indian resident
When one chooses to relocate to India from UK, the first step is to obtain temporary residence, followed by permanent residence. The motive for the relocation will influence the application for the residence permit, meaning that it will dictate the documents that will be required.
The following types of visas are awarded for those who immigrate to India from UK, based on the reason for their relocation:
- Business: issued for 5 years, subject to documents that prove the investment; for example, company-related documents;
- Employment: valid for 1 year or for the duration of the employment agreement; this document is provided as proof upon application; subject to terms and conditions;
- Student: issued for the duration of the course or for a period of 5 years; proof of admission to the Indian educational institution is needed;
- Others: the visa for foreigners of Indian origin, issued for a period of 5 years.
You can reach out to our attorneys in India for a complete list of the documents that are required in each of these cases. A special permanent residency status can be granted to investors who make a minimum investment in a specified period of time. The permanent residence permit is issued for 10 years in this case.
Every foreigner entering India based on a long-term entry visa will be required to register with a corresponding Foreigner Registration Office. When this step takes place, the UK national (and all other foreign nationals) will be asked to provide adequate information. Our team can give you more information about the steps needed to obtain residence in India.
Our team can give you complete details about the mandatory registrations with the Indian authorities, after your arrival in the country.
British nationals who are interested in India immigration should know that they can apply for citizenship by naturalization after a period of twelve years in the country. Individuals of Indian origin can acquire citizenship within seven years.
FAQ on moving to India
The team of immigration experts at our law firm in India answers a number of common questions below. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to know more.
How will I be taxed in India?
Individuals are taxed based on their residential status, which is determined for each tax year. Two types of residency are considered for this purpose: resident and ordinarily resident, as well as resident but not ordinarily resident. The other category, non-resident in India is not a category that is commonly applicable to those who with to immigrate to India from UK as these individuals will seek to ordinarily reside in the country, and thus be subject to taxation.
The following personal income tax rates were applicable in India at the time this article was written:
- 0% for taxable income between 0 and 250,000 INR;
- 5% in case of taxable income between 250,000 and 500,000 INR;
- 20% when the value of the taxable income is between 500,000 and 1,000,000 INR;
- 30% when the taxable income value is above 1,000,000 INR.
What do I need to do regarding healthcare?
When you relocate to India from UK you will need to notify your general practitioner. This will also mean that you will be removed from the NHS register.
The healthcare system in India is a multi-payer model and it is universally available to all individuals, however, one should be mindful of the discrepancies that exist between the public and the private healthcare sector. As a foreigner immigrating to India from Great Britain, one will turn to private healthcare providers.
Can I still claim benefits if I move to India from UK?
Some benefits remain available for those who relocate to India from UK. One example is the state pension a UK national is entitled to abroad if he or she has paid sufficient UK national insurance contributions to qualify and receive the pension. One important issue to note is that the individual needs to be within 4 months of the state pension age in order to be able to claim this benefit.
If you want to immigrate to India from UK, you can contact our team of lawyers. We provide complete assistance, both during the residence permit application phase and after you arrive in the country.
British nationals who relocate to India can rely on our complete solutions for foreigners. We also assist citizens of other countries who are interested in immigration to India. You can reach out to us as soon as you need to apply for a visa, or once you need to apply for a residence permit (when you wish to remain in the country for more than 180 days). You can contact us for more information.
If you are not a UK citizen but need assistance with residency or citizenship in India, our team can answer your questions. British nationals, like many other foreign nationals, can qualify for citizenship by naturalization and, if married to an Indian citizen, for citizenship by registration. Whatever your status, our team will give you more details about your options.