Before you start

An employment visa sponsored by an Indian employer, or another long-stay category
Proof of address in Hyderabad
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 unless specifically called in.
OnlineWho: YouWithin 14 days of arrival
3
Sort address proof first
Registration needs a rent agreement or equivalent, inside a 14-day window. Most large Hyderabad employers house new international hires in serviced apartments or company accommodation initially — use that documentation to register on time, then update.
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 An out-of-date registered address causes problems at renewal.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. It is optional but removes friction from telecom, banking and delivery services you otherwise work around constantly.
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

Hyderabad's FRRO handles less volume than Delhi's or Mumbai's, and it shows.

Hyderabad has a large tech-sector foreign population but far fewer foreign nationals overall than Delhi or Mumbai. Processing tends to be quicker and office visits, when required, less onerous. It is a small quality-of-life advantage that adds up across a posting.

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 Hyderabad employers place international hires in serviced accommodation initially precisely because of this — use that documentation to register, then update the address once you have a permanent flat.

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. Agents still market to new arrivals.

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, noticeably reducing early pay packets and recoverable only by filing a return.

Source: Income Tax Department