India Launches e-Production Investment Visa (eB4) 2026: Replaces e-PLI Visa – Now Open to All Companies, Fully Online, 6-Month Multiple-Entry for Foreign Specialists
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Updated: 19 hours ago
Published: 2026-02-27T09:37+05:30 (IST) Xavio
India has officially rolled out the e-Production Investment Visa (eB4), a major upgrade and replacement for the earlier e-Production-Linked Incentive (e-PLI) Visa. Effective immediately in early 2026, the new category removes the restriction that limited access to only PLI-registered manufacturing companies and now allows all Indian companies — across any sector — to bring in foreign subject-matter experts, engineers, technicians, and technical professionals on a short-term basis.
The eB4 visa is fully digitized, features end-to-end online processing, real-time approvals, and a maximum stay of six months with multiple entries. Crucially, it does not permit local employment in India — the visa is strictly for short-term project-related activities such as installation, commissioning, technical supervision, and setting up/expanding production facilities.
This reform is part of the Government of India’s broader push toward business ease, digital-first immigration, and faster project execution under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” frameworks.
Key Features of the New eB4 Visa (2026)
Replaces the earlier e-PLI Visa → unified and expanded category
Open to all Indian companies (no longer restricted to PLI/SPECS/EMC scheme participants)
Maximum validity: 6 months with multiple entries
No employment in India allowed → only short-term project / installation / supervision work
Eligible activities (expanded from previous e-PLI scope):
Installation & commissioning of equipment under supply contracts
Technical supervision & project execution
This initiative is designed to establish new production sites, scale existing capacity, and streamline day-to-day factory operations.
Activities previously requiring an Employment Visa but now reclassified under eB4
Fully online application → no paper-based approvals
Mandatory company registration on the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal → generates digital Sponsorship Letter with unique reference number (required for visa application)
FRRO registration required within 14 calendar days of arrival (before leaving India again)
Eligible nationalities: Citizens of countries already eligible for Indian e-Visas
Who Benefits & Why This Matters in 2026
Indian companies gain faster access to global expertise without navigating Employment Visa bureaucracy — especially useful for:
New manufacturing plants & semiconductor fabs
EV, battery, solar, electronics & defence production lines
Equipment-heavy projects (OEMs, EPC contractors)
Technology transfer & plant commissioning
Foreign specialists (engineers, technicians, project managers) benefit from:
Shorter processing time (real-time approvals targeted)
Multiple entries → travel flexibility during project duration
Clear legal pathway for short-term work that previously required more complex visas
The shift to NSWS digital sponsorship eliminates delays caused by manual approvals and reduces corruption risks, aligning with India’s end-to-end automated visa processing vision.
Comparison: e-PLI Visa vs New eB4 Visa (2026)
Feature | Old e-PLI Visa | New eB4 Visa (2026) |
Eligible companies | Only PLI/SPECS/EMC registered | All Indian companies (any sector) |
Maximum stay | 6 months, multiple entries | 6 months, multiple entries |
Local employment allowed | No | No |
Application process | Paper-based + manual approvals | Fully online via NSWS + digital sponsorship |
FRRO registration | Required within 14 days | Still required within 14 days |
Eligible nationalities | e-Visa eligible countries | e-Visa eligible countries |
Frequently Asked Questions – eB4 Visa 2026
Q: When did the eB4 visa become effective?
Early 2026 – exact notification date varies by consulate, but NSWS registration and applications are live now.
Q: Does the company need to be under PLI scheme?
No – eligibility expanded to all Indian companies.
Q: Can the foreign specialist be paid by the Indian company?
No – the visa does not permit employment in India. Salary must come from overseas entity.
Q: How long does approval take?
Government targets real-time / same-day approvals for complete applications via NSWS.
Q: Where do foreign nationals apply?
At Indian Missions / Posts abroad (consulates/embassies) or through authorized e-Visa portals (depending on nationality).
Q: Is FRRO registration still mandatory?
Yes – within 14 calendar days of arrival, before exiting India again.
Q: Can the same specialist make multiple short trips?
Yes – multiple-entry validity allows this during the 6-month window.
For the official eB4 visa notification, NSWS registration portal, eligibility criteria, and application guidelines, visit the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal or the Bureau of Immigration website.
For the latest updates on New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) salary thresholds and key changes, read our related guide: AEWV Update: Key Changes.
To understand New Zealand’s investor visa pathway for high-net-worth individuals, see: Navigating New Zealand’s New Investor Visa Pathway.
Explore our dedicated immigration section for real-time alerts on e-Visas, business visas, employment visas, and production-linked incentives.
India’s manufacturing push just got faster — foreign specialists can now arrive quicker and easie
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