To obtain permanent residency in India in 2026, applicants follow a set of mandatory steps, based on their chosen route (investment or ties to the country). Our team of lawyers in India can help you apply for this status.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types |
Employment |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | minimum 3 working days |
Temporary residence permit validity | 2, 3 or 5 years for the employment visa, depending on its category |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
Filled-in application form |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Yes |
|
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | Yes. Permanent residency status can be awarded, subject to a minimum investment |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | Applications for citizenship by registration can be submitted after a minimum lawful stay of 12 years for persons of non-Indian origin. The period is lower for applicants of Indian origin. |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
Application form Valid foreign passport Residence permit Proof of fee payment Other documents |
| Naturalization requirements |
Proof of lawful stay in the country and integration Oath of allegiance Renouncing one’s previous citizenship |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | Yes. When the applicant has lawfully lived in India for at least 7 years for those of Indian origin, or 12 years for persons of non-Indian origin |
Table of Contents
Who can acquire the resident status?
Several options are available to foreign nationals interested in obtaining the right to reside in India, such as:
- Employment via the employment visa (with the subsequent mandatory registrations). In this case, the length of stay is tied to the length of employment;
- Doing business via a suitable business or start-up visa;
- Permanent residency for investors (see below for details);
- Obtaining residency rights based on ancestry, available to persons of Indian origin or overseas citizens of India (subject to conditions).
An individual is considered a tax resident if they remain in the country for more than 182 days in a given tax year.
Who can become a permanent resident?
Two options are available to individuals who are interested in obtaining permanent residency in India. Our Indian lawyers summarize these below:
- Permanent residency for persons of Indian origin;
- Permanent residency for foreign investors.
What are the conditions for permanent residency through investment in India?
Residency in India through the investment route is available to investors who inject capital into the country through the means stipulated in the Foreign Direct Investment guidelines laid down by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.
To get your permanent residence in India, your investment can be made through new companies or by injecting capital into existing companies.
The minimum investment is at least INR 10 crores within 18 months or INR 25 crores within 36 months.
In addition to making a minimum investment, the company in which the capital is injected needs to provide employment for at least 20 resident Indians in each financial year. This is an important condition, and its compliance is evaluated in an assessment by a statutory auditor.
Not only do investors gain access to the PRS through this route, but also their spouses and dependents automatically obtain the same immigration status.
There is an exception as to who is eligible for this type of visa. The restriction only applies to Pakistani nationals or nationals of other countries with Pakistani origins. This is due to the complicated relations between the two countries.
The following infographic presented by our team of lawyers offers details about residency:
What are the main steps in the process of obtaining the PRS as an investor?
The process has a few steps that are generally applicable in any foreign investor application when applying for permanent residency in India in 2025. Let’s see what they are:
- The applicant receives his PRS for a period of 10 years, renewable thereafter;
- The investor is granted a business visa for 18 or 36 months, depending on the investment he/she intends to make in the country;
- This visa will serve the investor while his initial application is reviewed;
- After meeting the requirements of eligibility, investment, and employment generated in India, the investor and his dependents apply for the PRS;
- The Ministry of Home Affairs ensures that there are no problems with the application, and if all goes well, the applicant must continue with the process by submitting a series of documents.
We also invite you to watch a short video on this topic:
What documents do foreign investors require to apply for the PRS?
The following documents are required when submitting the application for permanent resident status in the case of investors:
- Passport and visa copy;
- Photograph;
- Proof of residence;
- Annual return copy (this is for the company in which the foreign entrepreneur made the minimum investment); other documents, such as a letter from the tax authorities, can be required as proof that the income tax return was fully paid and that the company has fulfilled all its tax obligations;
- Proof of accommodation: if the applicant is staying at a hotel in India, a special form will be submitted; moreover, if any address changes occur, the applicant is required to inform the authorities.
Who can apply for the right to reside in India as a person of Indian origin?
Almost all persons of Indian origin who are citizens of other countries can apply for the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme.
Citizens of the following countries cannot use the PIO scheme to obtain residency rights: China, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran.
How do I apply for residency in India as a person of Indian origin?
If you are a person of Indian origin, you can submit your application for the PIO card at the Indian mission in your country of residence.
Those who are already in India (have entered the country under a valid long-term visa which grants them residency rights for one year or more) can submit their application to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the area in which they reside.
What documents do I need and how much does it cost to obtain a PIO card?
The following documents are relevant for your application, as you are required to provide proof of your Indian ancestry:
- The applicant’s Indian passport or travel document or those of their parents/grandparents (as proof of their Indian origin);
- Proof of previous Indian nationality (either for the applicant or their parents/grandparents);
- Other documents that may be relevant for proving your Indian origin.
A fee of 15,000 Indian Rupees (or about 155 USD) is to be expected when you submit the applications. Please be aware that fees are subject to change.
How long can one obtain residency in India under the PIO card scheme?
The card issued to a person of Indian origin is valid for 15 years, provided that the individual also holds a valid passport during this time.
What are the advantages of becoming a permanent resident in India?
These are some of the advantages of obtaining permanent residency in India:
- Free entry and exit: you no longer have to worry about stipulated stays or limits; you and your dependents can come and go from India as you please;
- You will be able to acquire a residential property for dwelling purposes – a step followed by many of those who relocate to India;
- Your spouse and dependents can work in India, employed in the private sector;
- Your spouse and dependents can start or continue their studies in India without having to apply for a study visa.
You can contact us if you want to know more about the application process in 2026 for those who can obtain permanent residency in India.