Move to India from Canada

Our lawyers assist Canadian nationals who want to relocate to India from Canada.

What types of visas are available to Canadian nationals who want to move to India?

Canadians who wish to relocate to India from Canada can apply for the following types of visas:

• Business visa: for those who will enter and remain in India for business and trade; starting a business in India is subject to conditions;
• Employment visa: for Canadians who immigrate to India from Canada for the purpose of taking up employment in India; the duration is usually for the period of the employment agreement;
• Student visa: for those admitted to a recognized educational institution in India; it allows for 3 entries in India per the academic year used for home visits;
• Research visa: for research scholars or individuals otherwise involved in research work in the country; it can be sponsored by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.

What are the visa costs?

Examples of visa fees include:

• 113 CAD for the student visa;
• 167 CAD for the short-term business visa (1 year);
• 342 CAD for the long-term business visa (1 to 5 years);
• 409 CAD for the employment and project visa (valid for 1 year to 5 years).

To these fees, an additional consular charge applies, as well as a processing charge for the accredited visa processor. The fee is non-transferable and non-refundable.

Please keep in mind that these fees can change. We advise those interested to reach out to our team of lawyers in India for updated information before you apply.

When should I submit the visa application?

Your visa application should be submitted with the Consulate General as soon as you decide on the timeline for your relocation. This can mean once you have secured employment or once you have decided and researched the possibility to open a company in India.

In all cases, you should not apply after you have purchased your airplane tickets for India. The visa application can last more, especially if the initial submission does not include all of the needed documents.

The Consulate will not expedite the process if you provide information on your booking with your application, and you will risk losing the tickets.

Applicants are advised to apply for a visa that will allow them to immigrate to India from Canada at least 3 weeks in advance of their planned departure date.

What general documents do I need for my visa application?

The required documents depend on the visa type. However, there are a number of general documents that are submitted:

• The filled in application form;
• Two recent passport-size photographs;
• The valid passport and proof of address.

The passport should be valid for more than 190 days when submitting the application.

What specific documents do I need for my visa application?

The visa-specific documents are related to the purpose of the stay in India. Examples include:

• A copy of the employment contract, which stipulates the nature of the work, the duration of the agreement, as well as the salary;
• Intra-company transfer decision, along with other relevant documentation, in the case of Canadian nationals who are transferred to work for a branch in India;
• Proof of admittance to a university or course in India, in the case of students;
• Proof of legal relationship (such as the marriage certificate) for the family reunification visa.

What are the post-arrival requirements when moving from Canada to India?

Once you apply for a visa type that grants you medium to long-term residency rights, you can travel to India and settle in.

An application to the Foreigners Registration Office (often referred to as the FRO) is mandatory, and it will include:

• The original passport used for the visa application;
• Copies of the passport and the issued visa;
• Photographs of the applicant;
• Details on the intended residence in India;
• Medical information: HIV test applicable in some cases;
• Visa-specific documents (such as the Bonafide certificate from the university or college in the case of the student visa or other accreditations for special visas, such as the journalist visa);
• Special approvals from the Department of Company Affairs in the case of Canadian citizens who are appointed to a management role in a public limited company;
• Other documents may be required on a case-by-case basis.

The mandatory post-arrival registration with the Indian authorities takes place with the Registration Office in the area in which the foreign national will reside.

How can I continue to stay in India as a Canadian citizen?

To lawfully remain in India for long-term purposes, you will have to renew your residence permit accordingly.

Residence permits are issued with varying durations, depending on their type. For example, a student visa can allow the holder to reside in India for five years or for the duration of the studies, whichever is shorter.

Permanent residency in India can be obtained:

• Through the investment route, for those who make a minimum investment of Rs. 10 crores (subject to conditions);
• By meeting the minimum lawful residency requirements (under a temporary residence permit, renewed accordingly).

A permanent residence permit has a validity of ten years, and it can be renewed, provided that the holder continues to meet the conditions.

Canadian nationals who move to India from Canada can also apply for the Overseas Citizenship of India status if they are:

• The child or grandchild of an Indian citizen;
• The minor child of a person included in the abovementioned category;
• A minor child whose parents are Indian citizens.

Conditions apply to Canadian nationals who want to register as a person of Indian origin.

Contact us if you want to move to India from Canada. We can assist you throughout the entire process.