Living in India
Official information British people moving to and living in India need to know, including residency, healthcare and driving.
Before you go
See our travel advice for India for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
See moving or retiring abroad.
Visas and residency
See entry requirements for India in our travel advice.
If you enter India on a long-term visa and plan to stay more than 180 days, you will need to register with a Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officer within 14 days of arrival.
Healthcare
See our travel advice for India.
India and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
You should also make sure you’re covered by health insurance for UK treatment or you’ll be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.
The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
See list of hospitals in India. You should also check your prescriptions are legal in India.
Working in India
See information on employment visas and business visas from the Indian High Commission, London.
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check).
Tax
See tax if you leave the UK to live abroad and tax on your UK income if you live abroad.
We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in India.
You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
Pensions
See State Pension if you retire abroad and new State Pension.
Life certificates for UK state pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Benefits
See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.
Find out which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Driving in India
See driving abroad and road travel in India.
See taking a vehicle out of the UK.
India drives on the left.
You can drive with a UK licence and an accompanying international driving permit after you arrive, but rules on how long you can drive on a UK licence vary from state to state. To arrange for a driving test, you should contact the traffic police office in the state where you live.
Voting
See voting when you’re abroad.
British citizens living abroad can vote in some UK elections – you’ll need to register as an overseas voter.
Births
Deaths
See what to do after someone dies.
See also:
Getting married
Renewing passports
See overseas British passports applications and get an emergency travel document (sometimes called an emergency passport).
Pets
See travelling with pets.
Emergencies
The emergency numbers in India are:
- 100 – police
- 101 – fire
- 102 – ambulance
If you need urgent help, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.
Accommodation and buying property
See buying a property abroad and how to buy a property in India.
Other useful information
See:
Returning to the UK
The Indian authorities will not allow you to leave India if you don’t hold a valid visa, or have not met specific visa requirements – for example, registration.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
See tax if you return to the UK.
See bringing your pet to the UK.
Disclaimer
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Indian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Last updated 18 March 2021 + show all updates
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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We have added guidance on organ transplant surgery in India.
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First published.