Before you start

An employment visa sponsored by an Indian employer, or another long-stay category
Proof of address in Chennai
Appointment letter and employment contract
Proof of annual income meeting the employment visa threshold

Step-by-step

1
Confirm your visa category before travelling
The employment visa requires employer sponsorship and a minimum annual salary. A business visa does not permit employment, and the category generally cannot be changed from inside India.
Via employerWho: You and your employer
2
Register on e-FRRO within 14 days of arrival
Mandatory for employment visas valid over 180 days. Fully online — application, document upload and delivery — with no agent required and usually no office visit.
OnlineWho: YouWithin 14 days of arrival
3
Sort address proof first
Registration needs a rent agreement or equivalent, inside a 14-day window. Company accommodation or a serviced apartment letter bridges the gap; update the address on e-FRRO once you have a permanent lease.
In personWho: YouWeek 1
4
Apply for a PAN card in parallel
The Permanent Account Number gates banking and salary, and its absence means a higher rate of tax deducted. Foreign nationals can apply online.
OnlineWho: YouWeek 1
5
Update e-FRRO when your address changes
Address changes, visa extensions and exit permissions all run through the portal. An out-of-date registered address causes problems at renewal.
OnlineWho: You
6
Consider Aadhaar after 182 days
Foreign nationals resident for 182 days or more in the preceding twelve months can enrol. Optional, but it removes friction from telecom, banking and delivery services.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport with a valid employment visa
Registered rent agreement or equivalent address proof
Appointment letter and employment contract
Proof of annual income
Passport photographs to Indian specification

Things most newcomers don’t know

Chennai has large established Korean and Japanese communities, and the services follow.

The automotive and electronics manufacturing sector — Hyundai, Renault-Nissan, Daimler, Foxconn — has brought substantial long-term Korean and Japanese populations, concentrated in specific neighbourhoods. That means Korean and Japanese schools, grocers, restaurants and relocation services exist here in a way they do not in most Indian cities. If you are coming from either country, seek those networks out early.

Source: community-reported

The 14-day clock starts on arrival, before you have a lease.

Registration requires proof of address and must happen within 14 days. Most large Chennai employers place international hires in company accommodation initially — use that documentation to register on time, then update.

Source: Bureau of Immigration — registration requirements

e-FRRO is fully online and agents are unnecessary.

The portal was designed to be faceless, cashless and paperless, and states explicitly that no intermediary is required.

Source: e-FRRO — about the service

No PAN means a higher rate of tax deducted at source.

Indian law permits a higher withholding rate where no PAN has been furnished, reducing early pay packets and recoverable only by filing.

Source: Income Tax Department