India has raised its minimum annual salary threshold for Employment Visa eligibility to INR 24,00,000, up from the previous requirement of INR 16,25,000, according to immigration law firm Fragomen. The revised salary floor applies immediately to both new Employment Visa applications and visa renewal applications filed across the country.
Salary Threshold Increase Details
The adjustment marks the first time Indian authorities have altered the minimum salary level since 2018. The change represents an increase of approximately 47.7%, raising compliance standards for organizations employing foreign nationals in the country. Fragomen reported that the Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet published an official notification detailing the adjustment. Instead, immigration practitioners observed the new INR 24,00,000 requirement through endorsements on recently issued residence permits from local Foreigners Regional Registration Office locations, alongside verbal confirmations from government officials.
Impact on Employer Hiring and Retention Costs
Organizations operating in India must evaluate their current payroll structures to determine which expatriate workers fall below the newly established salary floor. Employers may need to increase base compensation packages for affected foreign employees to meet the INR 24,00,000 threshold before submitting upcoming visa applications or renewals. The sudden jump increases hiring and retention costs for multinational corporations and domestic firms relying on international talent. Compliance teams must review active compensation data immediately to prevent processing delays or visa denials at regional registration offices.
Official Notification and Procedural Expectations
Immigration advisors anticipate that the Ministry of Home Affairs will release a formal gazette notification providing comprehensive eligibility guidelines and procedural instructions. Until that official documentation becomes publicly available, regional offices continue enforcing the INR 24,00,000 requirement through localized endorsements and verbal directives. Employers should maintain close contact with global immigration professionals to monitor regulatory updates as the government formalizes the policy change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new Employment Visa salary threshold take effect?
The requirement is effective immediately for new filings and renewals, as observed through recent Foreigners Regional Registration Office residence permit endorsements.
What was the previous minimum salary requirement for an Indian Employment Visa?
The previous threshold stood at INR 16,25,000 per year, a figure that remained unchanged from 2018 until the current adjustment.
Has the Ministry of Home Affairs published a formal written notice regarding the change?
The ministry has not yet published an official notification, though authorities have confirmed the INR 24,00,000 threshold verbally and through visa endorsements.
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