Do's and Don’ts for Expats Working and Living in India

Are you thinking of working as an expat and retiring in India? The big move can be scary and daunting if you don’t know what to do -- and not do. Check out our straightforward guide to learn about the do’s and don’ts of living and working as a foreigner in the beautiful country of India.

DO’s

Set Up a Local Bank Account, Tax Card, and Identity Card Right Away

Make sure you get a PAN and Adhaar Card. You should also set up your local bank account right away. These steps are necessary to be paid from your job and receive a salary. In fact, these are compulsory, so knowing ahead can prepare you to get them done as soon as possible. You’ll want to be mentally ready for this task as you’ll be asked to perform an endless number of signatures, fill up forms, and provide a lot of copies of your documents.

Often, you can ask for the company sponsoring you to arrange for these applications. It is possible for the bank authorities to come to your office and handle the paperwork there. In all of these transactions, be very patient, as these can take up a lot of your time.

Have Your Phone Unlocked Before Going to India

Make sure you have your phone unlocked before leaving to ensure easy and fast transition when switching to Indian SIM cards.

Get All Agreements in Writing

It might be mentally draining to draw up paperwork for every single thing, but it is necessary and can protect you legally in the long haul. This applies to purchasing properties and entering work agreements. If you’re renting or buying a place, you’ll want to have the broker or landlord sign in writing the amount you’ve paid for as a deposit. Sign the lease and, when applicable, register it at the corresponding registrar office.

Before any changes are applied to any contract you’ve previously signed, read all clauses meticulously to ensure that you agree to all of them. If you are unsure, you can also get legal help to be more confident of your assets protection.

DON’Ts

Have Unrealistic Expectations

The first mistake of expats is getting impatient if things don’t work out the way they did in their home country. For instance, you might think that right off the bat, your SIM card and phone will function seamlessly. It can be particularly challenging for foreigners to set up either post- or prepaid mobile plans. This is because Indian SIM cards aren’t wired to work with Western devices automatically.

Search for Homes on Your Own

It’s understandable that you won’t want to live in hotels or motels for a long time after arriving. It’s not just impractical, it can be uncomfortable as well. But don’t go off starting a real estate search on your own. Make sure you ask for references from locals - much better if they’re your friends or colleagues. They can give you names of reliable brokers that you can trust.

Remember that foreigners may be thought of as gold mines and you can be grifted easily if you’re unaware of their business practices. Having a friend help you can also ensure that you’ll find places that are suited to your needs - such as distance from work, your estimated budget, and personal preferences. Expats may also want to be close to other expat communities to help them adjust to the new culture a little bit easier. So if these are concerns for you, make sure to verbalise them during your home hunt.

Be Too Trusting of Random Strangers You Meet

Think of moving to another country as a fully foreign experience, no matter how nice people are and how comfortable you are at being sociable. If it’s your first time in India, this is even more important. For instance, rickshaw and taxi drivers can be non-cooperative at the very least. They also won’t speak English most of the time.

And in especially frustrating cases, they might not even know where you want to go. Others will grift you by driving extra distances just to spike up your taxi meter. Be mindful at all times and ask for help from friends whenever possible.

Be Late When Taking Public Transport

If you want to travel the country by train, avoid being late. Indian railways often experience delays and other traffic problems. The official statement of the Indian Railways states that to be considered on time, the train can be delayed for up to 15 minutes. The country also has poor infrastructure because of the massive amount of traffic the railways see daily. Every day, 30 million people use the train.

Be on time to avoid missing your train and being late for work or other important appointments. Otherwise, you might want to take a car rental service if you need a more reliable form of transportation, time-wise.