Living in India
Information for British citizens moving to or living in India, including guidance on visas and residency, passports and healthcare..
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in India. More information for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders is available on the Online OCI Services website. Read about how our consulates in India can help and services we provide.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Indian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission New Delhi on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Before you go
See our travel advice for India for up-to-date information on entry requirements and travel restrictions, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in India on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for India in our travel advice.
See how to apply for a visa to enter India: the e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Regional Registration Office), the Bureau of Indian Immigration website and Indian Ministry of External Affairs website.
If you enter India on a long-term visa that allows you to stay more than 180 days at a time, you should check with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office about registering within 14 days of arrival.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from India.
Check the India travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in India
India and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
You should also make sure you are covered by health insurance for UK treatment, or you will be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for India. FCDO has a list of medical providers in India where some staff will speak English.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in India. Certain medicines may not be available in [India] (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to [India] to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in India
If you are planning to move to India and work, you may need a visa. Read the Indian government’s guidance on employment visas and business visas.
To apply for a job you may need to complete a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check).
To find out if your academic qualifications are recognised in India, check with your education provider.
Studying in India
If you plan to study in India, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. See the High Commission of India’s website for information on applying for a student visa.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in India to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with India so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in India. Find an English-speaking lawyer in India
Read guidance on:
You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in India, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
There are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including residents and tourists, should follow Reserve Bank of India guidelines.
If you are visiting India, you can bring cash, travellers’ cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India.
You must declare any amount above 5,000 US dollars in notes, or 10,000 US dollars in notes and travellers’ cheques combined.
Foreign nationals living in India who wish to open a bank account need a long-term Indian visa, valid for more than 182 days. Check with the relevant bank for their full requirements.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in India
Read the guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in India: Driving abroad
If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
For guidance for travelling by road in India see https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/country/safety-and-security#road-travel.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk.
India drives on the left.
You can drive with a UK licence and an accompanying international driving permit after you arrive, but rules on how long you can drive on a UK licence vary from state to state. To arrange for a driving test, you should contact the traffic police office in the state where you live.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in India, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
The driving test requirements for disabled drivers are generally the same. Disabled drivers in India requiring vehicle modifications should contact the relevant Regional Transport Office.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in India you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in India read our guidance on:
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
Check the guidance for taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad. See India’s Animal Quarantine & Certification Services website for guidance on importing pets into India.
Emergencies
The emergency numbers in India are:
- 100 – police
- 101 – fire
- 102 – ambulance
Dial the child helpline on 1098 which helps children in distress.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in India, read the information for survivors of rape and sexual assault. See also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission.
Speak to a local lawyer in India.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Updates to this page
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Guide updated
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Added link to apply for an organ donation letter. Added section 'Studying in India' with links to apply for administrative letters.
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Updated E-FRRO registration link
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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We have added guidance on organ transplant surgery in India.
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First published.