The Indian government has introduced a new e-visa category known as the E-Production Investment Visa, aimed at supporting India’s growing manufacturing and production sector. Under the E-Production Investment Visa, foreign professionals may undertake a wide range of permitted activities. These include installation and commissioning of equipment, quality checks, and essential maintenance, as well as production support, IT and ERP ramp-up, and workforce training. In addition, foreign nationals may assist with supply chain development, vendor empanelment, plant design, and the strengthening of senior management and executive functions in India.
Once registered on the NSWS (National Single Window System), Indian companies can generate digitally signed sponsorship letters for each foreign national they intend to invite. This sponsorship letter must be submitted by the foreign national as part of the e-visa application process. However, the registration itself does not guarantee visa approval, and the issuance of a sponsorship letter does not assure that a visa will be granted. All applicants must independently complete the prescribed online e-visa application and meet the applicable eligibility criteria.
Only nationals of countries approved for India’s e-visa program may apply under this category. While e-visas are generally processed within three to seven business days, processing times may be longer for certain nationalities, including Chinese nationals.
Overall, the E-Production Investment Visa offers a practical and time-efficient alternative for Indian manufacturing and production companies that need to bring in foreign experts for short-term, specialised assignments—activities that would otherwise typically require an employment visa. The visa is valid for six months and permits multiple entries during its validity period.