Planning a workation in Bangalore? Or a business trip to Mumbai or Delhi? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in India, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
New Delhi
Telephone code
+91
Official language
Hindi, English (and 22 other officially recognized languages)
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Time zone
UTC+5:30 (IST)
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. India has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance, access the list of countries here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
India has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries, available here, that specifies the steps to take to avoid double taxation.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in India, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to India are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. Please find the recent information about minimum salary in India here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to India, here’s a quick overview.
For short-term stays, several visa types are available, depending on the traveler's nationality:
- E-Visa: Available for many nationalities through the official e-visa portal, offering stays of up to 30-180 days depending on visa type.
- Standard Visa: Available through Indian diplomatic missions for those not eligible for e-visa or requiring longer stays.
- Visa on Arrival: Available only to a very limited number of nationalities.
- Visa-Free Entrance: Limited to a small number of nationalities for short stays.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trip to India, here's what you need to know:
- E-Visa Option: Business e-visas are available for most nationalities, valid for up to 180 days.
- Visa-Free Entry: Available only to a very limited number of nationalities for business purposes.
- Business Visa: Required for longer stays or activities not covered by e-visa, obtained through Indian diplomatic missions.
- Visa on Arrival: Available to very few selected nationalities for business purposes.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in India work from Monday to Friday, with some companies operating on Saturday as well. A standard workweek consists of 48 hours. The typical workday usually starts between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and ends between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, including a lunch break of about 30-60 minutes. Work hours may vary significantly by industry and region, with many IT companies aligning their schedules with Western time zones.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 26: Republic Day
- August 15: Independence Day
- October 2: Gandhi Jayanti
Various religious holidays (dates vary):
- Diwali
- Holi
- Eid al-Fitr
- Christmas
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. India has implemented the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA). Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as heavy. That means, India enforces strict, comprehensive data protection laws with robust regulatory oversight. These laws cover all aspects of data privacy and impose severe penalties for non-compliance, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
112
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not advisable – use bottled water
Travel health insurance
When traveling to India for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
India’s security situation can be tense due to deep-seated societal conflicts, regional disputes, and localized terrorist activities that may escalate into violence, particularly around public holidays, religious celebrations, and major events.
Major cities, including New Delhi, remain potential targets for terrorist activities, with an increasing risk that tourist-heavy locations may be targeted. In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, bombings have resulted in numerous casualties over the past decades, with sporadic incidents directed against foreigners, including kidnappings. Curfews have also been imposed in certain periods.
Remain especially vigilant in crowded areas (markets, public squares, large gatherings, and near government buildings or national landmarks) and during significant events. Pay attention to global security advisories.
Domestic situation
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Refer to the urgent safety information above for the latest situation overview.
Terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir can occur alongside clashes between demonstrators and police or military forces. The region has also experienced conflicts between Indian and Pakistani forces and various separatist groups along the international border and the Line of Control.
While Jammu is typically more stable, violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces remain a possibility.
- Stay informed about security and infrastructure developments.
- Only travel to Srinagar by air if necessary.
- Avoid traveling alone or without an experienced guide.
- Do not hitchhike or camp in remote areas.
- Avoid large gatherings and follow the directives of local authorities and security personnel.
Union Territory of Ladakh
While the overall security situation in Ladakh is stable, isolated terrorist activities cannot be ruled out. Clashes between Indian and Pakistani or Indian and Chinese forces may occur in border areas.
- Exercise caution, especially in the western parts of Ladakh.
- Seek guidance from reliable local experts when planning trekking routes.
- Avoid border regions with Pakistan and China.
Northeast
The northeastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura) still experience activity from militant groups and criminal gangs. While tourists have not been common targets, risks remain.
In Manipur, since May 2023, violent clashes between ethnic groups and security forces have escalated, leading to arson and fatalities in Imphal and surrounding areas. Authorities have empowered military units with “shoot-on-sight” orders, and internet access has been restricted.
- Postpone travel to Manipur.
- If in Manipur, exercise extreme caution and rely on reputable local contacts (tour operators, hotels).
- Confirm additional permit requirements, as some northeastern regions may require special entry documents.
- Verify if your route passes through areas affected by Naxalite terrorism.
Other regions
Even peaceful protests and demonstrations can turn violent and disrupt traffic.
In Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and eastern Maharashtra, a Maoist insurgency exerts control in certain districts. Although foreigners have not been primary targets, there was one kidnapping case in the past. Sabotage and attacks on railways have also occurred.
- Stay updated through local media.
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
- Follow local security instructions.
- Only engage in tourist activities with local guides and adhere strictly to bans imposed by authorities.
Crime
Petty crimes like pickpocketing are common, though violent crime is relatively rare, particularly in tourist areas.
Tourists in New Delhi and other cities may encounter aggressive sales tactics from local tour operators promoting overpriced trips. Operators may falsely claim “government recognition” to appear legitimate. Some taxi drivers may collaborate with these operators, diverting tourists to these agencies under false pretenses. In Rajasthan and Goa, tourists have reported scams involving dubious offers, including supposed gemstone deals.
Foreign visitors, especially women, have been victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault, even in popular tourist spots. Incidents involving spiked drinks or drugs have also occurred.
Safety tips:
- Act with caution and cultural awareness, particularly for women traveling alone.
- Be cautious when booking through local agencies and verify their legitimacy.
- Contact local police (in Delhi, the 24/7 “Tourist Police” at emergency number 100) if feeling threatened.
- Secure money, IDs, and important documents; store electronic copies for backup.
- Keep your phone discreetly stored and avoid openly displaying valuables.
- Carry only necessary cash and a credit card for safety.
- Stay alert in crowded places such as airports, stations, and buses.
- Do not leave food or drinks unattended.
- Be skeptical of unexpected emails, phone calls, prize offers, or help requests from unknown sources.
- Avoid sharing personal data and verify any suspicious communication with the authorities or in person.
India's climate varies significantly by region and season.
Winter (December to February):
- North: Cool to cold (5°C to 25°C/41°F to 77°F)
- South: Warm and pleasant (20°C to 30°C/68°F to 86°F)
Summer (March to May):
- North: Hot and dry (25°C to 45°C/77°F to 113°F)
- South: Hot and humid (25°C to 40°C/77°F to 104°F)
Monsoon (June to September):
- Heavy rainfall across most regions
- High humidity
- Potential flooding and travel disruptions
Post-Monsoon (October to November):
- Pleasant temperatures
- Moderate humidity
- Ideal for travel
Airports
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
- Location: Delhi
- When to use: Main international hub, excellent connections worldwide
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
- Location: Mumbai
- When to use: Major international gateway, good domestic connections
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
- Location: Bangalore
- When to use: Tech hub gateway, good international and domestic connections
Train stations
New Delhi Railway Station
Main connections: Pan-India rail network International connections: None
Mumbai Central
Main connections: Western and Central India Routes: Major cities across India
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- Ola
- Meru
- Local auto-rickshaws (with meters)
Public transportation
Metro
Extensive metro systems in major cities:
- Delhi Metro
- Mumbai Metro
- Bangalore Metro
- And several other cities
Buses
- State-run bus services in all major cities
- Inter-city luxury bus services
- Local city buses
Auto-rickshaws and Taxis
- Available in all cities
- Use metered services or ride-hailing apps
- Pre-negotiate fares when meters aren't available