“India Simplifies Visa Rules for Foreign Professionals Employed by Local Companies”

India Streamlines Visa Process for Foreign Professionals in Manufacturing Sector.

India on Wednesday announced a simplified visa process to help domestic companies bring in foreign professionals, including engineers and technical experts, for key production-related activities such as machine installation, quality checks, training, and plant design.

The move is expected to benefit Indian manufacturers that rely on imported machinery and specialised equipment, including from China, and require foreign experts for installation, commissioning, and maintenance. Several firms had recently highlighted difficulties in securing visas for critical foreign personnel.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched a new online module on the National Single Window System (NSWS), enabling companies to digitally generate sponsorship letters under the e-Production Investment Business Visa, also known as the e-B-4 Visa.

An official said the earlier system was cumbersome and time-consuming, often involving multiple approvals. The new mechanism is designed to substantially reduce processing time, and 129 sponsorship letters have already been issued through the platform. Foreign professionals can now use these letters to apply for visas and travel to India for their assignments.

“The time taken to grant visas will be significantly shorter now,” the official said, adding that the process is now more structured and transparent.

The facility applies to both companies under the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and non-PLI firms. The B-4 Visa covers activities including installation and commissioning of equipment, quality checks, production support, IT ramp-up, training, supply chain development, plant design, and visits by senior management for production investment projects.

The revised system replaces the earlier e-PLI business visa, is fully digital, and no longer requires recommendations from line ministries. Data authentication through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and GST Network has eliminated the need for separate approvals, while each sponsorship letter generates a unique ID for visa applications.

Officials expect the changes to ease operational bottlenecks, accelerate industrial projects, and improve the ease of doing business in India.