Moving to India from the UK: Complete guide

Thinking about starting a new life in India? Whether you’re looking to study, work or just start fresh, this is a great destination. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to India from the UK, including the cost of living, visa options, popular expat destinations, and much more.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account

Table of contents

Can you move to India from the UK? What are the requirements to move to India? How long can a British citizen live in India? How to move to India from the UK Moving to India with pets Visas and residence permits in India How to apply for residency How to renew your residency Options for retiring to India from the UK Living in India - The key facts Popular cities and locations for expats Cost of living in India Opening an Indian bank account Renting and buying property in India Healthcare in India Finding a job and working in India Studying in India Save on your relocation costs to India with Wise Conclusion

Can you move to India from the UK?

Yes, you can move to India from the UK, as long as you meet the criteria and provide the necessary documents in time.

We'll now guide you through the steps and explain how to move to India from the UK.

What are the requirements to move to India?

British citizens need a visa to enter and stay in India. The documents required will vary depending on the type of visa. Here’s a summary of the key ones:

• A valid passport
• A visa
• A valid address
• A copy of the employment agreement (if applicable)
• A copy of documents proving admission to an educational institution (if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient funds¹

How long can a British citizen live in India?

As a British citizen, you can live in India for as long as your visa permits. You may also qualify for citizenship, but this would require giving up your UK passport.²

How to move to India from the UK

There are several options for moving to India, including education and employment. If you plan to work there, here are the steps to follow:

1. Do job market research

Research salary averages in India and identify in-demand positions and skills. This will enhance your chances of landing a job and securing a visa. If you’re considering the Business visa route, explore opportunities for investment or starting a business.

2. Secure a job and gather the necessary documents

Secure a job in India and sign a work contract. This will allow you to apply for the employment visa, along with other documents.²

3. Find a place to live

While waiting for your work permit, you can begin searching for accommodation. You can explore online listings or reach out to a real estate agent for professional help.

4. Look into health insurance and Indian banks

Take some time to explore private healthcare options in India and the facilities in your area. You may also want to check out Indian banks and international bank accounts to see if any allow online applications.

💡 Read more: Taking cash in or out of India: What are the rules?

5. Read customs and imports rules before packing

Check India’s customs and import regulations before packing. This will ensure you don’t bring restricted items or exceed the duty-free limits.

6. Consider hiring a moving company and pack only the most valuable items

Ensure you pack your important documents and personal valuables yourself. For all other items, hire a moving company to manage the packing and transport.

Moving to India with pets

To transport your pet to India, they must meet certain requirements, such as vaccination, a microchip and an import permit.

Keep in mind that certain dog breeds, such as pitbulls, Japanese tosa and rottweilers, are prohibited from being imported to India. Be sure to double-check if the list has changed before you leave.³

For further guidance on meeting health and documentation standards, it’s a good idea to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service in India.

Visas and residence permits in India

All UK citizens need a visa to enter India, unless they hold the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. There are various types of visas available, but those planning to move typically opt for one of the following categories:²

• Employment visa
• Business visa
• Study visa

Other common options include the medical visa and tourist visa, though these are not suitable for permanent relocation. Visas generally range in validity from one to five years, depending on the category.²

For example, the employment visa is valid for either one year or the duration of your contract. You can obtain this visa if you're a highly skilled or qualified professional with an annual income of at least USD 25,000. Business visas, on the other hand, are issued for up to five years, but they only allow you to stay in India for six months at a time.²

One way to obtain permanent residency is through India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) program. If you invest between 10 and 25 million rupees and create 20 jobs, you’ll be granted permanent residency for 10 years.²

How to apply for residency

If you're moving to India on a long-term visa, you must register with the nearest Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRO) within 14 days of arrival.⁴

Once registered, you'll receive your residential permit, which will be valid for the duration specified on your visa.

How to renew your residency

You can renew your residency by visiting a Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office two months before it expires.⁴

Options for retiring to India from the UK

India doesn’t have a specific retirement visa and it’s only straightforward to retire there if you have Indian ancestry. However, UK citizens can retire in India through the Permanent residency by investment programme.²

To qualify, you must invest a minimum of 10 million rupees within the first 18 months and at least 25 million rupees within the first three years. Your investment should result in creating at least 20 jobs for Indian residents each year.²

Once you meet these requirements, you’ll be granted permanent residency for 10 years, which can be renewed for another 10 years. Your spouse and dependents will also be eligible for permanent residency.²

If you manage to retire in India, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into a UK bank account or an Indian one, in which case you’ll be paid in the local currency. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.⁵

Living in India - The key facts

Here are some basic facts you should know about India if you’re considering moving there:

💰 Currency:	Indian rupee (INR)
🗣️ Main language:	Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil
👥 Population:	1,458,530,529⁶
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	around 32,000⁷

💡 Read more: Money in India: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange

Popular cities and locations for expats

British expats often prefer living in larger Indian cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai. Some neighborhoods even feature gated communities designed specifically for foreigners.⁸

Cost of living in India

Overall, India is much more affordable than the UK. While comparing individual cities can give you a clearer picture, we’ll look at some average state-wide prices. Let’s see how much you could save from your move to India from the UK.

Rent is over 500% more expensive in the UK, while groceries cost 144% more. Restaurant prices are also almost 300% higher back home and a monthly transportation pass is just a tenth of the price in India. When it comes to the cost of renting and buying apartments, they’re between 270 and 570% more expensive in the UK.⁹

Utilities are also a fraction of the price. On average, monthly bills in the UK cost £294, while in India they’re only £32.⁹

Opening an Indian bank account

If you haven’t already, add opening a bank account in India to your list of priorities after moving. This is important for paying your rent and other expenses, but also for getting paid.

Some of the biggest banks in India are HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Most banks will ask for the same key documents, such as your passport, Aadahaar Card and a recent utility bill. You might also be asked for your Permanent Account Number (PAN).¹⁰

There are a few bank account types you can open as a non-resident, such as a Non-resident external account (NRE), a Non-resident ordinary account (NRO) and a Foreign currency non-resident account (FCNR).¹⁰

Whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays closes your account once you move abroad.¹¹

Renting and buying property in India

You can rent and buy property as a UK citizen if you’re a resident. This means spending at least 182 days in the country each year and obtaining legal residence.¹²

Foreigners are not allowed to own certain types of property, including agricultural land, farmhouses or plantation properties. Since the process of buying property and handling all the necessary steps afterward can be quite complex, it's advisable to seek professional assistance.¹²

If you're looking to rent, here are some popular websites where you can browse apartments:

• 99acres
• Magicbricks
• NoBroker
• Sulekha

Healthcare in India

India has universal healthcare, but the healthcare system varies by state. While the public sector can be overwhelmed, their private healthcare is internationally renowned and attracts a significant amount of medical tourism.¹³

Traditional medicine is also an important pillar of healthcare in India. Practices and systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani are very popular.¹³

Before moving to India from the UK, it's a good idea to check if you’ve had all the necessary vaccines.

Health insurance

It’s recommended that expats take out private health insurance. Not only will you receive better care and conditions, you also won’t have to wait in line to receive medical care.

The price of public health insurance varies according to age and marital status. Private insurance is more expensive, but still much more affordable than in the UK.¹³

English-speaking doctors and medical staff

Finding English-speaking doctors and staff in India can depend on where you live. Emergency operators usually speak English, but this isn’t always guaranteed.¹³

In rural public hospitals, medical staff often speak only local languages, so investing in private insurance could be a smart move.

Medication and prescription requirements and restrictions

Be sure to contact the Indian Embassy for the most up-to-date information on whether certain medications are banned in India. For extra caution, always carry your medication in its original packaging and keep it in your hand luggage.

As India is the world’s largest supplier of affordable generic medicines, you’ll find a wide selection of medications at lower prices. However, make sure to purchase from a reputable pharmacy.

Finding a job and working in India

You can work in India as a British citizen if you obtain the appropriate visa, such as an Employment visa. A Business visa is another option, but not for permanent employment. It’s good for doing business-related activities and making some investments, including the permanent residency by investment scheme.²

The average salary in India is between 15,000 and 20,000 INR per month. However, this varies by industry, location, age and other factors. People in their early twenties have the lowest average salaries, while the 35-44 group is the highest-earning.¹⁴

Some of the best paid professions are software engineers, financial analysts and marketing managers. For example, software engineers earn over 116,000 INR per month.¹⁴

Studying in India

India is becoming a popular destination for international students due to its affordable, high-quality education. With hundreds of universities and various scholarship opportunities, it offers a great option for those seeking quality education at a lower cost.¹⁵

Some Indian universities rank among the world's best, including the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay and the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. Tuition fees vary by university and programme, but they’re usually from 250,000 INR to 550,000 INR a year for foreigners.¹⁶

Besides the usual student visa, students can also apply for a provisional visa, which gives them six months to explore study options in India. If you haven’t chosen a programme yet, you can do so after arriving and then apply for a visa at a Foreigners Registration Office.¹⁶

Save on your relocation costs to India with Wise

Before moving to India, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and India for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is always safeguarded.

You can also get the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 to spend in INR from the moment you step off the plane. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:

Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, upfront, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates Dedicated support for large transfers Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded under regulatory protections Trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries Low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card Earn a return on your GBP, USD and EUR balance with Wise Interest**

Sign up with Wise today 🚀

**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Wise Interest isn’t currently available to use with an India address.

Conclusion

• British citizens need a visa to enter India, unless they hold the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card
• The main routes for moving to India from the UK are the Employment visa and the Student visa
• After arriving in India, you must register at a Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRO) within fourteen days
• India doesn’t have a retirement visa, but they have a Permanent residency by investment programme
• You must be a legal resident to buy property in India
• India has universal public healthcare, but it’s recommended that you get private health insurance
• The cost of living in India is significantly lower compared to the UK

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Sources used:

1. Lawyer India - how to immigrate to India
2. Lawyer India - move to India from the UK
3. Pet Relocation - pet transport to India
4. Immigration Advice Service - moving between India and the UK
5. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
6. Worldometers - India population
7. Forth Capital - number of British expats
8. iExpats - living in India
9. Numbeo - cost of living comparison between the UK and India
10. B2B Pay - opening a bank account in India
11. Barclays - living outside the UK
12. Lawyer India - buy property in India
13. MSH International - international health insurance in India
14. Paytm - average salary in India
15. Study India - higher education in India
16. Study India - eligibility criteria to study in India

Sources last checked on date: 31-Jan-2025