Knowledge Basic Knowledge for Employees Posted in India! A Thorough Guide to Cost of Living, Safety, and Visa Procedures

Described as a country of great diversity, India's languages, religions, and lifestyle habits tend to vary significantly depending on the region and the individual. There are 22 officially recognized languages in the Indian Constitution alone. In addition to Hindi, which is an official language, English is widely used in business settings.

Regarding religion, nearly 80% of the population is Hindu, and slightly over 10% are Muslim. However, there are also people who practice Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism, among others, and each religion has its own precepts and customs to be observed.

Even in business, paying attention to the other person's faith, cultural background and dietary habits, as well as ensuring respectful communication, is key to building smooth relationships.

Reference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan - Basic Data on India (Japanese Only)

India's vast landmass means that the climate varies greatly from region to region. Ensure you have appropriate clothing and otherwise maintain your health in your destination’s environment.

To work as a foreigner in India, you must obtain an appropriate "Employment Visa" rather than a tourist or short-term business visa.
Obtaining an employment visa requires preparing a wide range of documents, including a certificate of employment from the Indian host company, company registration documents, and English documents proving your educational and professional background.
Incomplete documents can delay the process, so it is advisable to start early once your assignment is confirmed.

If you intend to stay in India continuously for more than 180 days, you are legally required to complete the "FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Officer)" procedure within 14 days of your arrival.
Currently, this process is conducted online (e-FRRO), but you must immediately start gathering documents such as a residential lease agreement and a recommendation letter from your company upon entering the country.
Missing the deadline incurs penalties, such as fines, making it the first major hurdle for foreign workers in India.

Rules regarding visas and foreigner registration in India can suddenly change without prior notice, and the strictness of screening can vary depending on the official in charge.
Past blog posts on the internet may be outdated, so you should systematically prepare based on the latest official and expert information, such as from your country’s embassy in India or local visa agents.

Reference: Embassy of Japan in India (Japanese Only)

Choosing a home in India is a critical factor that greatly affects your quality of life and safety. Many posted employees opt for gated communities, which are security-managed housing complexes equipped with full-time security guards, access control, and backup generators for power outages. Such an environment allows you to live safely, even in areas where infrastructure remains unstable.

Local housing has the advantage of lower rent, but caution is needed as building management and the stability of power and water supplies can be inconsistent. Given that traffic jams are an everyday occurrence in India, it is practical to prioritize access to your workplace when choosing a residence. Try to find an area that suits you by comprehensively considering commuting time, surrounding facilities, and medical access.

Indian cuisine uses a variety of spices depending on the region, offering a deep and rich flavor profile.
An important point to know is that vegetarian culture is deeply rooted.

Tap water in India is not suitable for drinking. The basic countermeasure for foreign workers is to install an RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifier in your kitchen or purchase bottled mineral water for drinking and cooking.

Also, especially in northern regions like Delhi, air pollution (such as PM2.5) tends to become severe primarily during the winter (around November to February). Measures to prevent respiratory diseases, such as installing air purifiers in every room and wearing high-performance masks when going out, are indispensable. Since it is easy to upset your stomach from water or spices in the early stages of your assignment, it can be reassuring to bring over-the-counter medicines from home.

For safety, most Japanese companies tend to arrange leased vehicles with dedicated drivers as the means of commuting and daily transportation for their employees, rather than having them drive themselves.

For personal outings, ride-hailing apps are convenient. In addition to the globally popular "Uber," an Indian app called "Ola" is widely used. Because the destination and fare are fixed in advance on the app, it has the advantage of removing the hassle of price negotiations and the risk of being overcharged.

Furthermore, in areas like the Delhi National Capital Region, a Metro, or subway, network has been developed, serving as an effective means of transportation to avoid chronic road congestion. With the introduction of women-only carriages and X-ray screening for baggage, an environment that is relatively safe and easy to use is being established.

However, prices at supermarkets and Japanese restaurants commonly used by Japanese expatriates can be similar to, or even higher than, those in Japan. Therefore, India cannot always be considered a low-cost destination, as living expenses vary considerably depending on the stores and services one chooses to use.

In addition, imported seasonings and other goods such as alcoholic beverages are subject to high tariffs and consumption tax (GST), making them relatively more expensive than buying them in the original country. Therefore, foreigners may choose to stock up on long-lasting foods and daily necessities during returns to their home countries.

Housing costs vary greatly from city to city. For example, Mumbai (especially South Mumbai), a financial and economic hub, has high real estate prices by global standards, with rents sometimes equaling or exceeding those in central Tokyo.

Also, in the Delhi NCR (such as Gurgaon), where many Japanese companies operate, prime properties targeted at foreigners with good security and facilities are in high demand, and rent is by no means cheap. It is important to know the latest market conditions in your intended assignment location and find an appropriate property within the housing allowance set by your company.

A major characteristic of life in India is that relatively low labor costs make it easy to personally hire maids (housekeepers), chauffeurs, and cooks.

By delegating tasks like cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping to local staff, you can free up time for work and personal life. To find trustworthy staff, it is common to utilize introductions from predecessors or the local foreign employee community.

In India, the costs of daily travel and communication tend to be kept much lower than in Japan. Modes of transportation like ride-hailing apps and the public metro can be used daily at lower initial prices (starting fares equivalent to a few dozen yen) compared to Japan.

Mobile data costs are also very low, with high-capacity plans starting from the equivalent of a few hundred yen per month.
Thanks to the spread of such inexpensive mobile data and strong government backing, cashless payments, notably "UPI" (QR code payments), have exploded in popularity, even used in street stalls in today's India. Being able to complete almost all payments with just a smartphone is another major feature of life in India.

While India is a country that requires caution regarding security, major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, are classified as "Level 1 (Exercise caution)" on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas travel safety information. This level indicates that it is possible to live normally if you act with basic crime prevention awareness.

On the other hand, it is necessary to note that the security situation can vary greatly depending on the region. Areas around the border with Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir have been issued "Level 3 (Avoid all travel)" and "Level 4 (Evacuate and avoid all travel)" advisories. When going on domestic business trips or traveling during your assignment, make it a habit to check the latest information on your government’s overseas safety website beforehand.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Homepage "India Risk, Spot, and Broad Area Information" (Japanese Only)

In India, you should be particularly wary of property crimes such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching, purse-snatching, and fraud. Tourists and foreign employees are frequent targets, with many incidents reported around train stations, tourist spots, and crowded markets (bazaars) in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

Typical tactics include the following:

• Pickpockets who steal your wallet while a group surrounds you and distracts you.
• Scams where you are lied to with claims like "The hotel is closed" or "The road is blocked due to a protest," and guided to expensive facilities.
• "Sleeping pill robberies" where someone approaches you in a friendly manner and offers food or drinks spiked with sleeping pills.
• Demands for money or valuables by fake police officers, or being shortchanged during currency exchange.

Trouble such as being charged exorbitant fares by rickshaws and taxis has also been reported.

To prevent such trouble, the basic rules are to be wary of excessive kindness from strangers and to always keep your valuables secure on your person.

Reference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Homepage "India Safety Measures Basic Data" (Japanese Only)

A risk specific to India is that animals like stray dogs, cows, and monkeys roam the streets daily. What requires special caution is the risk of rabies infection. India is considered one of the countries with the highest number of deaths from rabies globally.

Avoid carelessly approaching or touching stray dogs. If, by any chance, you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal, you should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with running water and soap, promptly visit a medical institution, and receive appropriate treatment such as vaccination.

Reference: Quarantine Station, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - India (Japanese Only)

To ensure a smooth experience in India, prior understanding based on the premise of a living environment different from your own country is indispensable. By grasping basic knowledge regarding lifestyle, climate, hygiene, traffic conditions, and security, you can minimize trouble and health risks and build a stable living foundation.

As reflected in the Indian concept of "jugaad" (flexible problem-solving), things do not always go exactly as planned. However, viewing such situations positively and adopting a flexible attitude will be a great help in smoothly navigating your life there. We hope the points introduced in this article will serve as a useful reference to make your time in India safe and fulfilling.