Moving To India: What You Should Know Before Going

If you are an NRI living abroad for employment reasons and are planning to move back to India, then check out this blog for insights into the living situation in India. Whether you live anywhere in this world, every country has its pros and cons. Know about India's living expectations, transportation, accommodation, and many more. You will also learn about the ways to find out the best place to live in India. 

Moving to India: What to Expect

Whether you have visited in the past or seen it in the movies, you may have some expectations when you decide to move to India. But living in India altogether is a different thing. You will experience a large number of changes as an expat. But once you get used to the daily life of India, there are also many assets to it. In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of moving to India.

Pros of Living in India 

• Cost-effective: The living costs in India are very affordable for expats. One of the biggest expenses is housing, and you can easily find reasonable living options even in big cities if you search properly. If you are willing to make some little adjustments to the living standards as you may be used to, then there are multiple options everywhere. Food is also very inexpensive, and expats can also afford the help around the home, like a cook, gardener, cleaner, etc.
• Welcoming culture: The locals are very welcoming toward the expats, so you will not feel out of place. You can also enjoy the festivals, cultures, and lots of diversity in India. 
• History: The country is one of the oldest civilizations, dating back to 5000 BC. It gained independence from the British in 1947, and it has continued to thrive and develop ever since. 
• Internet services: In India, telecommunication services are great, especially in urban cities. You can enjoy the excellent TV and internet services in most areas, all day long. 
• Cheap Services: Services are also very reasonable in India. If you need to repair your car, computer, or any other appliances, then the repair fees are also affordable.

Cons of Living in India

• Weather Variations: In India, the temperature can vary in different regions, and sometimes it can become a little hard to adjust according to the weather. India is also the wettest country in the world, so pack all the essentials with you. But you will start enjoying the weather in some time.
• Safety: Although most of the country is safe. But in some cases, safety can be an issue, especially for women. Traveling alone for women can be a little risky because they become targets for assaults. So there is no harm in taking some safety measures like carrying pepper spray. 
• Driving: Driving is also a very critical part of living in India. You need to be quite insightful while considering moving to India.
• Hygiene: In populated areas and some public places, cleanliness is an issue. Also, the population level is high, so hygiene can affect your living situation. 
• Working hours: There are longer working hours in India as compared to other parts of the world.

Transportation for Living in India

We all agree that travelling around in a foreign country can be a little confusing. Most of the time, we end up asking for directions from the locals and still reach the wrong location. If you are going to work here right away, you should be aware of the transportation options to avoid any future hassles. You can either drive yourself to the location or use public transport. We are going to discuss both of them here:

Driving

Diving in India can be a huge task, especially for foreigners. The big cities and towns have so much traffic that you can get stuck for hours. The conditions of the roads are also reasonable in big towns and cities, but the rural areas can have some issues with the roads. You need to learn road discipline if you are willing to drive here. And, honking seems to be very normal here, as it's not in most foreign countries. 

Because of the sheer population on the roads, so much chaos is caused. So it is recommended for the expats and even for the locals to use the cab services or other means of public transport here to avoid all these hassles.

Using Public Transport

There is plenty of public transport in India; you can find so many buses, taxis, rickshaws, etc. to travel around in big cities and towns. Be careful about the prices because they vary a lot; there is a lot of negotiation going on between the people and the drivers. For accurate pricing, use the services from the large companies like Uber or Ola. Also, always carry cash with you while traveling because some of the small drivers don't accept online payments. 

If you need to travel longer distances, then you can choose trains for that. You can also reserve your seats beforehand to travel in a much safer, comfortable, and hygienic environment. You can find these train tickets inexpensively to travel, so they are the best option if you are moving to India. 

Accommodation If You are Living in India

If you are relocating to India with an existing employer, then you don't have much choice about the region to live in. However, many digital nomads and remote workers move to India to experience the cultures and diversity here. It can be a little difficult to find the perfect place to live because there are different dialects and cultures in different regions.

Accommodations are also dependent on the need and the motive of the person who wants to move to India. We have made a list of the factors that can help you in choosing the best accommodation for you:

Steps to Decide Where to Live in India

1. Take your time: If you have plenty of time by your side, then you can explore the areas all by yourself. You can use different online platforms to book short-term properties in the city you like and explore the area. This way, you can have the best understanding of the place, and it will help you to decide whether to move there or not.

2. Write down your dos and don'ts: Once you have visited some cities you like, then make a list of things that you want and the things that you don't want in the destination. There are many factors to consider according to your preferences.

3. Ask the locals: Although India has many dialects and languages, most of the population here knows how to speak English. So, indulge yourself in the conversations with the locals, attend the community events, etc. This will help you to know the place better before committing long-term.

4. Ask the colleagues or friends (if any): If you have any colleagues or friends in India, then it is the best way to know about the pros and cons of a place. You can ask about the living experiences and then choose a perfect place for yourself.

5. Be clear with your agents (if any): Many real estate agents will charge you for the property viewing and showing you the places. Although it is not a requirement, if you hire an agent, then be clear about the budget and the pricing beforehand. 

Best Places Recommendations

There are many places where you can stay in India. Most people prefer the place or accommodation according to their priorities. The places where they can find more job opportunities and commute services. The expats who are moving with their families prefer the place with the best education and safety. Some people prefer a place that is closer to nature so they can live in a healthy environment. 

Here are a few of the places that are most appreciated by the expats to live: 

1. Mumbai: Mumbai is considered one of the best places to live in India because it offers great work opportunities, and it is also known as the financial capital of India. If you are moving to India with your family, then there are many great schools for kids, too. Mumbai is considered one of the most expensive places to live in India because most of the highly paid expats live here. 

2. Chennai: Chennai is considered the IT hub of India. This attracts most of the expats because they have so many job opportunities here. Another reason for Chennai to be in the list of the top cities to live in is that it is one of the safest places in India, especially for women.

Chennai has a lot to offer for travelling purposes, and you can see a lot of beautiful temples here with great and ancient architecture. The city is rich in culture and full of nightlife. You can find excellent schools for the kids, and life here in Chennai can be less hectic compared to any big city. 

3. New Delhi: As it is the capital of India, it provides many opportunities for expats living here. Many expat communities are already living in Delhi, so it will be easy for the new ones to settle in. It is a relatively safe city, and there are many career opportunities for people moving to India.

The infrastructure of the city is also very magnificent, and you can enjoy the social delights here. The food here is great, and childcare facilities are also inexpensive, which is a pro. The only drawback is that, like any other big bustling city, the pollution levels are high.

Visas, Jobs, and Working in India

To get a job upon moving to India, the expats need to know that it depends on their skills and qualifications. India is a well-known country for its IT services, so if you have those skills on your side, then you can easily get a job here. Now, let's discuss different jobs for the expats and employment visas for them. 

Employment Visas

If you want to work in India as a foreigner, then you have to obtain a work permit and an employment visa. These can be applied by yourself as a skilled professional, or your new or future employer will apply these for you. If you need to apply for the employment visa, then you can do it online.

In this process, you have to submit the printed copies of your application with the necessary documents to the nearest embassy. The validity of this E-visa is for one year or however long your employment (up to 5 years at a time). The documents you need to apply for the E-visa are as follows:

• Travel documents like your passport
• Proof of employment with the organisation/company
• Your professional certification

Jobs for Expats

India is one of the largest exporters of IT services worldwide, but there are many other industries that contribute to the economic growth. Here are a few industries in which the expats can find jobs:

• Agriculture
• Petroleum
• Construction
• Pharmaceuticals
• Automotive

List of some of the biggest employers of foreign workers in India:

• Maruti Suzuki
• State Bank of India
• Tata Group
• Axis Bank
• Reliance Industries
• Boeing - India Jobs
• National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

Working in India as an Expat

If you are moving to India as an expat and want to work here, then first of all, know that the working hours in India are longer than in other countries like the UK or the USA. If we talk in numbers, then full-time expats work an average of 47.7 hours per week in India, as compared to the global average of 43.9 hours per week. Make sure that if you are working in India, then try to make relationships in business and negotiations.

You should take some time out for small talk with your colleagues. Also, as an expat, you may find a few questions a little intimate as compared with other wor cultures like questions about family and home life, but they are very common in India. People are genuinely interested in each other's lives, and if you remember the names of their family members, then that is a plus point for a smooth conversation. 

Tips on Meeting Etiquette and Business

In India, it is a tradition that elders and hierarchy are given a lot of respect. This concept is also applicable in the corporate world and a business context, where titles and specific formalities are still expected. 

• People usually greet each other in India by shaking hands. However, some people prefer to do namaste by joining both palms together and bowing down. 
• When you enter the office or attend a meeting, you should always greet and address the people of the highest seniority first. 
• It is normal to use titles like sir or madam in a work environment. 
• The dress code in the workplace is mostly comfortable business suits and attire. For women, it is commonly trousers suits as opposed to skirts. 
• The business language of India is English.
• It is important in India to be punctual in the workplace, so try to be on time when coming to meetings.

Conclusion

In this blog, life in India is described thoroughly for an expat and how the corporate world is for them. On arrival in India, foreigners should choose a place to live according to their needs and priorities. If you are an NRI, apply for an OCI card for better opportunities for living in India. It provides many pros like multiple entries, long stays, etc.

You can visit Visament for the OCI card assistance because they have experts who help their clients in making the OCI cards. You just need to fill out an OCI card application form on the website, and the rest of the process will be handled by our experts. You can also check out the currency converter on Visament to convert currency and check the exchange rates.