India Sharply Raises Minimum Salary for Employment Visa Eligibility
Updated: 50 minutes ago
NEW DELHI, October 16, 2026 — India has significantly increased the minimum salary required for foreign nationals to qualify for an Employment Visa, raising the annual threshold from INR 16,25,000 to INR 24,00,000 — an increase of approximately 47.7%.
The revised threshold applies to new Employment Visa applications and renewal applications filed in India, and took effect immediately.
What Changed
Item | Previous Threshold | New Threshold |
Minimum Annual Salary | INR 16,25,000 | INR 24,00,000 |
Approximate USD Equivalent | ~$19,500 | ~$28,800 |
Increase | — | ~47.7% |
This is the first adjustment to the Employment Visa salary floor since 2018, when the Ministry of Home Affairs last revised the threshold.
How the Change Was Communicated
The Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet published an official notification on the revised threshold. The change has instead been observed in endorsements on recently issued residence permits from the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), and authorities have verbally confirmed the new figure to immigration practitioners.
Further eligibility information is expected in an upcoming official notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Impact on Employers
The sharp increase in the salary floor has immediate consequences for companies employing foreign nationals in India.
Higher hiring and retention costs. Employers may need to increase salaries for affected foreign employees to meet the revised threshold. For roles that previously qualified at INR 16,25,000, compensation packages will need to rise by nearly half.
Review of upcoming applications. Employers should audit compensation for pending and upcoming Employment Visa applications and renewals to ensure compliance with the new figure.
Strategic workforce planning. The change may affect decisions about which roles to fill with foreign nationals versus local hires, particularly for mid-level positions that previously met the lower threshold.
Who Is Affected
The revised threshold applies broadly to foreign nationals sponsored for an Employment Visa in India. Certain categories have historically been exempt from the salary floor, including:
Ethnic cooks employed by foreign missions
Language teachers (other than English language teachers) and translators
Foreign artists engaged for performances
Coaches of national or state-level sports teams
It remains to be confirmed whether these exemptions continue under the revised framework.
What Employers Should Do Now
Audit current and pending applications. Review all Employment Visa applications and renewals in progress to confirm that offered salaries meet the new INR 24,00,000 threshold.
Adjust compensation packages. Where salaries fall below the new floor, either increase compensation or reconsider the visa strategy for that role.
Monitor for the official notification. The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to publish formal guidance. Employers should watch for details on exemptions, implementation procedures, and any transitional arrangements.
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Detail |
Effective Date | Immediately |
Previous Threshold | INR 16,25,000 |
New Threshold | INR 24,00,000 |
Increase | ~47.7% |
Applies To | New and renewal Employment Visa applications filed in India |
Official Notification | Not yet published; expected from Ministry of Home Affairs |
Last Revision | 2018 |
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