01Visas & Legal Entry
Visas and registration
Every foreign national needs a valid Indian visa. IKAN's immigration team runs the whole process for you, from the papers you need before you leave to FRRO registration (with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office) in Hyderabad.
Employment Visa
For foreign nationals employed by an Indian company or the Indian branch of a multinational. Requires an employment contract showing salary of approximately USD 25,000 per year equivalent in Indian rupees. Most expats to India arrive on this visa.approximately USD 25,000 per year
Business Visa
For board attendance, establishing a business, or commercial activities without local salaried employment. Valid up to 5 years, multiple entry. Cannot be used for salaried employment with an Indian entity.up to 5 years
Dependent (X) Visa
For spouses and children of Employment/Business visa holders. Grants residence rights but not automatic work authorisation. Dependent spouses may apply separately for Employment Visa. IKAN manages full family immigration packages.
e-Tourist Visa
For 30/90/180-day scouting stays. Available for 170+ nationalities at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Ideal for property and school reconnaissance before the formal Employment Visa is processed.
Nationality Rules
Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, and a few other nationalities face additional security clearance requirements and processing times. Your IKAN consultant will advise on country-specific requirements at your pre-arrival briefing.
1
Employment Visa Application
YouSubmit at the Indian Embassy/Consulate in your home country. IKAN prepares the full dossier: employment contract, company registration, financial statements, sponsorship letters, and accommodation proof.
2
byDay 14
FRRO Registration · Hyderabad
IKANVisas carrying a registration endorsement (employment, student and dependant visas usually do) must register at Hyderabad FRRO (indianfrro.gov.in) within 14 days of arrival. Other long-stay visa holders register before completing 180 days in India; when in doubt, treat 14 days as your deadline. IKAN schedules this as Day 3-4 of your arrival and accompanies you throughout.
3
onDay 1
Indian SIM Card · Day 1
IKANAirtel (best voice in Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills) or Jio (best 5G data in HITEC City). IKAN arranges a prepaid SIM on arrival day for immediate connectivity. Bring your passport and one passport photo.
4
PAN Card
YouApply for your PAN card (10-15 working days) immediately, required for banking, investments, and tax compliance. Aadhaar not required for foreign nationals.
5
Bank Account
YouOpen a resident savings account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank. Essential within Month 1 for salary receipt, UPI, and local transactions.
6
Ongoing Compliance
Annual FRRO extensions, visa renewals, dependent visa changes. IKAN's immigration desk manages your full compliance calendar throughout your Hyderabad posting.
7
Arrange Permanent Transport
YouSet up your primary commute, long-term Ola/Uber corporate account, a dedicated driver (₹18,000 to 25,000/month all-in), or HMRL Metro Smart Card. IKAN introduces you to car rental options used by the expat community.
Note: There are no Visa or FRRO requirements if you are a returning Indian national or an OCI card holder. Please consult your IKAN relocation advisor for country-specific guidance.
02Settling In
Your first 60 days
Here is the right order for a move to Hyderabad from abroad. Get registered first, then set up your money, then make yourself comfortable.
1
byDay 14
FRRO Registration (know your deadline)
YouRegister at Hyderabad FRRO online (indianfrro.gov.in). Within 14 days of arrival if your visa carries a registration endorsement (most employment and dependant visas do); other long-stay visas register before 180 days. When in doubt, treat 14 days as the deadline.
2
onDay 1
Indian SIM Card · Day 1
IKANAirtel (best voice in Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills) or Jio (best 5G data in HITEC City). IKAN arranges a prepaid SIM on arrival day for immediate connectivity. Bring passport and one passport photo.
3
PAN Card Application
YouApply via the Protean (formerly NSDL) portal immediately. Required for banking, investments, and tax compliance. 10-15 working days for delivery. Aadhaar not required for foreign nationals.
4
Bank Account Opening
YouOpen SAVINGS account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank. Bring passport, visa, FRRO acknowledgment, PAN, and rental agreement. Takes 3-5 working days. Essential for salary, UPI, and all local transactions.
5
UPI & Digital Payments
YouSet up PhonePe or Google Pay immediately after bank account activation. UPI is widely used across Hyderabad, from restaurants to auto-rickshaws. Carry ₹2,000 cash as emergency backup for the first week.
Transport
Getting Around Hyderabad
- Ola / Uber: Both essential, keep both apps. Never hail street cabs. Rapido bike taxis work well in HITEC City for short hops.
- HMRL Metro: 3-line network. Buy Smart Card at any station (₹50 deposit). Covers HITEC City, Ameerpet, Secunderabad.
- ORR: The 158km Outer Ring Road makes airport runs and cross-city travel much faster than Bangalore or Mumbai equivalents.
- Autos: Namma Yatri app for transparent, no-surge pricing.
Traffic
Traffic Reality Check
Five notorious bottlenecks you will learn fast:
- Gachibowli Flyover, use the service road at peak hours (8:30-10:30am / 6-9pm)
- Panjagutta Junction, no easy fix; build in 20 min extra
- Mehdipatnam, avoid 8-10am and 5-8pm entirely
- Lakdi Ka Pul, gets significantly worse in rain
- Tolichowki, underrated bad spot between FD and Banjara Hills
- ORR tip: Gachibowli / Financial District residents → Node 2. Jubilee Hills / Banjara → Node 1. Best travel: before 8:30am or after 9:30pm.
Expat Community
Finding Your Network
Hyderabad has a well-organised expat community concentrated in the western corridor.
- Internations Hyderabad: Monthly city events, nationality groups. Best first port of call for newly arrived expats.
- US Consulate (Begumpet): American Citizens Services and community events
- Japanese community: Large and well-organised given Toyota, Yamaha, Canon presence
- AMCHAM India Hyderabad: Active corporate and social calendar
Key Links
Essential Portals
FRRO registration: indianfrro.gov.in
PAN card: onlineservices.proteantech.in
Visa services: indianvisaonline.gov.in
Telangana state: meeseva.telangana.gov.in
IKAN support: relo@ikan.com
Mental health: Tele MANAS 14416
PAN card: onlineservices.proteantech.in
Visa services: indianvisaonline.gov.in
Telangana state: meeseva.telangana.gov.in
IKAN support: relo@ikan.com
Mental health: Tele MANAS 14416
Practical Setup
Pets, Driving & Cooking Gas
- Bringing a pet: Apply for an import permit from India's Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) before travel; carry a current rabies vaccination and an international veterinary health certificate, and use an IATA-compliant travel crate. IKAN can refer specialist pet-relocation agents.
- Driving: You may drive on a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) for an initial period after arrival; for a longer posting, convert to an Indian licence at the local RTO. Most expat families hire a driver (₹18,000 to 25,000/month).
- Cooking gas: Arrange a piped natural gas (PNG) connection where available, or an LPG cylinder (Indane / HP / Bharat Gas). Your landlord or IKAN consultant can set this up.
Safety & Inclusion
Safety, Worship & Community
- Safety: Hyderabad is among India's safer metros; the Telangana Police "She Teams" initiative focuses on women's safety, and the western corridor is well-policed.
- Places of worship: Temples, mosques, churches and gurdwaras are spread across the city, reflecting Hyderabad's long tradition of communities coexisting.
- Accessibility & inclusion: Newer malls, metro stations and offices are largely step-free; as across much of India, LGBTQ+ acceptance is greatest in cosmopolitan, tech-corridor circles.
03Air Connectivity
Flights from Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) has good international links. With direct flights to Dubai, Doha, Singapore, London and Frankfurt, most people rarely need to change planes in Delhi or Mumbai.
International Flights from HYD
| Destination | Duration | Economy return |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai (DXB) | 3 hr 30 min | ₹18,000 to 35,000 |
| Doha (DOH) | 3 hr 50 min | ₹20,000 to 38,000 |
| Singapore (SIN) | 4 hr 30 min | ₹22,000 to 45,000 |
| London (LHR) | 10 hrs direct | ₹55,000 to 90,000 |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | 9 hr 30 min | ₹50,000 to 85,000 |
| Muscat (MCT) | 3 hr 15 min | ₹15,000 to 28,000 |
| Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | 4 hr 20 min | ₹20,000 to 40,000 |
| Bangkok (BKK) | 3 hr 45 min | ₹22,000 to 42,000 |
Business class typically 4-5× economy. Emirates, Qatar, and Singapore Airlines fly direct from HYD. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner for live fares.
Tips for international travel from HYD
Best Connection Hubs
Dubai (Emirates/flydubai) for Europe, Africa, Americas. Singapore (SIA) for Southeast Asia. Doha (Qatar) for excellent business class value to Europe.
Visa & Documents
Keep OCI/visa stamp and FRRO registration proof accessible at departure. IKAN sends a pre-departure document checklist 72 hrs before each international trip.
Airport, RGIA
Allow 3 hrs minimum. Encalm Privé lounge, Priority Pass, Amex Centurion, Diners Club accepted. Cab from HITEC City: 40 to 55 min (₹700 to 1,000).
Customs & Baggage
India allows ₹50,000 duty-free for residents. Alcohol: 2 litres. Electronics over ₹15,000 need receipts. Duty-free at HYD is well-stocked.
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