Arriving

Visas & Arrival, Settling In, Flights & Connections. 9 min read.

01Visas & Arrival

Visas and registration

India's visa rules are the same whichever city you fly into. For Gurugram, you land at Terminal 3 of Delhi's IGI Airport, the airport that serves Delhi itself. Your employer and IKAN guide you through every step, from the day you accept your offer.

Visa Types

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. Multiple entry. Most expats to India arrive on this visa.approximately USD 25,000 per year

Business Visa

For foreign nationals visiting India for business purposes, meetings, exploring business opportunities, establishing operations, attending board meetings, or due diligence visits. Valid up to 180 days per visit.up to 180 days per visit

e-Tourist Visa

30, 90, or 180-day reconnaissance stays, ideal for property viewings, school visits, and orienting yourself to Cyber City and Golf Course Road before committing.

Dependent Visa

For accompanying spouses and school-age children. Requires proof of relationship and the primary visa holder's employment documentation. School admissions need this in place before formal enrolment. Note: dependants on a dependent visa generally cannot take up paid employment in India, a separate Employment Visa is required to work.

Nationality Rules

Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar and certain other nationalities face additional security clearance requirements and processing times of 4 to 6 weeks beyond standard. Your IKAN consultant will advise on country-specific requirements at your pre-arrival briefing.

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.

FRRO Registration · Gurugram

FRRO Delhi (Serves Gurugram)

FRRO Deadlines are Non-Negotiable: Visas carrying a registration endorsement (employment, student, dependant, medical, research and missionary visas usually do) must register within 14 days of arrival; under the June 2026 amendment, other visa holders who stay longer must register before completing 180 days in India. When in doubt, treat 14 days as your deadline. Non-registration attracts financial penalties and can escalate to criminal penalties (up to 3 years' imprisonment and/or a ₹3 lakh fine). Do not prioritise property hunting or school visits over FRRO registration. IKAN schedules the FRRO appointment as Day 3-4 immediately on your arrival, before everything else.

Gurugram has its own FRO (Foreigners Registration Office): Ground Floor, Office of Commissioner of Police, Near Nehru Stadium, Gurugram (FRO Gurugram: 0124-2869309). Foreign nationals living in Gurugram may also register with FRRO Delhi, East Block 8, R.K. Puram (45 min from Cyber City). The e-FRRO portal at indianfrro.gov.in handles most cases online since 2020.

Arriving at Delhi IGI T3

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), T3 handles all international arrivals to NCR
Immigration queues: 45 to 75 minutes peak hours. e-Visa lanes are faster
Distance to Cyber City: 18 km / 30 to 45 min off-peak
Distance to DLF Phase 5 / Golf Course Road: 22 km / 40 to 60 min off-peak
Pre-book your transfer, peak hour return (from 5pm) on NH-48 routinely doubles travel time
The new Dwarka Expressway offers a faster alternate route for northern Gurugram sectors

Your Arrival Sequence

Embassy Visa Application

You

Apply at the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your home country. IKAN guides you through the documentation checklist. Processing: 7-14 working days for standard applications.

onDay 3 to 4

FRRO Registration · Day 3-4

IKAN

IKAN assists you through the e-FRRO process and visit to FRRO office if in-person verification is required. Complete the online application at indianfrro.gov.in first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and passport photos. IKAN helps negotiate and prepare your Leave & License (the standard Indian lease), so it meets FRRO rules.

Indian SIM

You

Bring passport and visa to any Jio or Airtel store in Cyber Hub, Galleria Market, or Ambience Mall. Both offer eSIM in NCR. Activation takes 4 to 24 hours, register as soon as possible after landing, as an Indian SIM is required for UPI, Ola/Uber, and most digital services.

PAN Card Application

You

Apply on the Protean (formerly NSDL) portal (onlineservices.proteantech.in) immediately after arrival. Required for banking, investments, and tax compliance. Takes 10-15 working days. Aadhaar is not required for foreign nationals, PAN alone is your financial identity in India.

Resident Bank Account Opening

As a foreign national taking up residence, open a RESIDENT savings account at HDFC, HSBC, or Standard Chartered (NRE/NRO accounts are for non-resident Indians and are not the right product). Bring passport, visa, FRRO certificate, PAN, employer letter, and a local Indian address proof. Takes 3-5 working days. Essential for salary, UPI, and all local transactions.

Arrange Permanent Transport

You

Most Gurugram expats arrange a full-time chauffeur (₹25,000 to 35,000/month) given the city's car-dependent layout. Set up Ola Corporate or Uber Corporate via your employer's travel desk. Download the Delhi Metro and Rapid Metro Gurugram apps. Self-driving is strongly discouraged, especially for your first six months, NCR road behaviour takes time to learn.

International Health Insurance

You

Ensure comprehensive international cover is activated before your first medical need, and confirm which Gurugram hospitals are empanelled with your insurer for cashless treatment.

Relocating with Pets

India allows cats and dogs to be imported with planning. You will need a current rabies vaccination (and a titre test where applicable), an international veterinary health certificate, and an import permit from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). Up to two pets may accompany a person or family taking up residence, subject to documentation; pets travel as manifested cargo or excess baggage in IATA-compliant crates and are inspected on arrival at Delhi (no routine quarantine for compliant, accompanied pets). Start 4 to 6 weeks ahead and confirm the latest AQCS / DGFT rules before booking, IKAN can connect you with specialist pet-relocation agents.

02Settling In

Your first 30 days

These steps follow the arrival steps in the visa section above, which has more detail. Do them in this order. IKAN handles the ones with deadlines, so none of them is missed.

Your first 30 days

Six steps

onDay 3 to 4

FRRO Registration · Day 3-4

IKAN assists you through the e-FRRO process and, if in-person verification is required, your visit to the FRRO office. Complete the online application at indianfrro.gov.in first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and 4 passport photos. Your FRRO certificate is needed for school admissions and future visa renewals, and can also serve as address proof for your PAN.

Done: FRRO Registration · Day 3-4

Indian SIM

You

Bring passport and visa to any Jio or Airtel store in Cyber Hub, Galleria Market, or Ambience Mall. Both offer eSIM in NCR. SIM activation takes 4 to 24 hours, register as soon as possible after landing. Indian SIM is required for UPI, Ola/Uber, and most digital services.

Done: Indian SIM

PAN Card Application

You

Apply on the Protean (formerly NSDL) portal (onlineservices.proteantech.in) immediately after arrival. Required for banking, investments, salary credits, and tax compliance. Takes 10-15 working days. Aadhaar is not required for foreign nationals, PAN alone is your financial identity in India.

Done: PAN Card Application

Bank Account Opening

You

Open a RESIDENT savings account at HDFC, HSBC, or Standard Chartered (NRE/NRO accounts are non-resident products and are not the right fit). Bring passport, visa, FRRO certificate, PAN, employer letter, and a local Indian address proof. Takes 3-5 working days. Essential for salary, UPI, and all local transactions. HSBC has dedicated international client relationship managers serving Cyber City; HDFC has the densest branch and ATM network across Gurugram.

Done: Bank Account Opening

UPI & Digital Payments

Once your bank account and Indian SIM are active, register on GPay, PhonePe, or Paytm. UPI is universal in Gurugram, from kirana shops to Cyber Hub restaurants to your water-tanker delivery. Set up auto-pay for utilities (DHBVN electricity, broadband) and rent on the same day you receive your debit card.

Done: UPI & Digital Payments

Arrange Permanent Transport

You

Hire a full-time chauffeur (₹25,000 to 35,000/month) through a reputable Gurugram agency, IKAN supports car-lease arrangements. Set up an Ola Corporate or Uber Corporate account via your employer's travel desk. Download Delhi Metro and Rapid Metro Gurugram apps. Self-driving is strongly discouraged for your first six months, NCR road behaviour requires local experience.

Done: Arrange Permanent Transport

Transport Setup

Gurugram Mobility

Hire a full-time driver (₹25k to 35k/month) · Ola Corporate via employer · Rapid Metro and Yellow Line apps · Avoid self-drive in first 6 months. During monsoon: allow 2x normal commute time on flooded corridors (Hero Honda Chowk underpass, NH-48 service lanes).

Traffic Reality

Peak Hour Guide

Mornings roughly 8:30-11am and evenings roughly 5-9:30pm see the heaviest gridlock, Cyber City roundabout, NH-48 Iffco Chowk and MG Road. Build your diary around these windows. Most Cyber City employers allow 9:30am starts, negotiate this early. The Rapid Metro takes you from Cyber City to Sikanderpur, where the Yellow Line runs to MG Road, use it during peak.

Expat Community

Build Your Network

InterNations Gurugram, largest expat networking group, monthly events in DLF · American Embassy Women's Association · DLF Phase 2-3 Expat WhatsApp groups (ask building or embassy contacts) · Gurugram International Women's Group · Your consulate/high commission events in Delhi

Key Portals

Essential Links

FRRO: indianfrro.gov.in · PAN: onlineservices.proteantech.in · DHBVN Electricity: dhbvn.org.in · MCG: mcg.gov.in · Delhi Metro: delhimetrorail.com · Rapid Metro Gurugram: rapidmetrogurgaon.com · Haryana eServices: saralharyana.gov.in

Household Staff

Staff & Salaries

Typical 2026 monthly ranges (indicative): part-time maid ₹4,000 to 8,000 · full-time cook ₹15,000 to 25,000 · full-time maid/housekeeper ₹15,000 to 22,000 · nanny ₹20,000 to 40,000 · driver ₹25,000 to 35,000. Always have domestic staff police-verified, at the local police station or via the Haryana Police portal, and keep a copy; most RWAs require it before issuing staff gate passes.

03Flights & Connections

Flights from Delhi's airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is South Asia's busiest airport and one of the best connected in the world. Terminal 3 handles all international flights and most big domestic ones. It has direct long-haul flights to almost every global business capital. From Gurugram, IGI is 30 to 60 minutes by road, depending on the time of day and your route.

Destination	Airlines	Frequency	Duration	Approx Fare (Economy)
London Heathrow	Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic	Daily (multiple)	8h 45m	₹55,000 to 90,000
Dubai	Emirates, Air India, IndiGo	Multiple daily	3h 30m	₹16,000 to 32,000
Singapore	Singapore Airlines, Air India, IndiGo	Daily (multiple)	5h 30m	₹24,000 to 46,000
New York JFK / EWR	Air India (non-stop), United, American	Daily	14h 30m	₹90,000 to 1,60,000
Frankfurt	Lufthansa, Air India	Daily	8h 30m	₹50,000 to 85,000
Tokyo Narita / Haneda	ANA, Japan Airlines	Daily	8h 15m	₹55,000 to 1,10,000
San Francisco	Air India (non-stop), United	Daily	16h 30m	₹1,20,000 to 2,00,000
Hong Kong	Cathay Pacific, Air India	Daily	5h 45m	₹35,000 to 65,000

Domestic

Delhi → Mumbai

2h 10m

Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air · 50+ daily

Domestic

Delhi → Bangalore

2h 45m

IndiGo, Air India · 30+ daily

Domestic

Delhi → Hyderabad

2h 15m

IndiGo, Air India · 20+ daily

Domestic

Delhi → Goa

2h 25m

IndiGo, Air India, multiple daily

Delhi IGI · Terminal 3

About Your Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport, T3 is the international terminal and the largest by area in India. Distance to Cyber City: 18km / 30 to 45 min off-peak; longer during the evening rush. The Dwarka Expressway, now operational, offers a faster alternative route for northern Gurugram sectors. Arrive 3 hours early for international departures, CISF security is thorough. T1 handles low-cost domestic carriers; check your ticket before heading to T3. Pre-immigration fast-track and lounge access available for Business Class.

Next chapter03Where to liveNeighbourhoods, Housing Market, The IKAN Method

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