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India e-B-4 Visa: Step by Step Guide to NSWS Sponsorship Letter Process

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India’s manufacturing and production-linked sectors increasingly require short-term deployment of foreign technical experts for installation, commissioning, and investment-driven projects. To regulate and streamline such assignments, the Government introduced the e-B-4 (Production Investment Business) Visa framework. The process is now more structured and simplified through the National Single Window System (NSWS), with a mandatory digitally generated Sponsorship Letter issued by the Indian company.

The following section provides a detailed explanation of the e-B-4 Visa framework, its applicability, and the Sponsorship Letter process under the NSWS portal.

What is the India e‑B‑4 (Production Investment Business) Visa?

India’s Production Investment Business Visa i.e. e-B-4 visa is a specialized business visa category designed to facilitate the short‑term entry of foreign professionals engaged in production‑linked, manufacturing, and investment‑related activities in India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a Circular to address certain issues related to employment visa, business visa and e-PLI business. As part of this circular, two activities which were earlier covered under the employment visa namely, Foreign nationals coming for installation and commissioning of equipment (i) as part of contract of supply of equipment and (ii) for which Indian companies pay fees or royalty, are now brought under the business visa regime.

This regulatory clarification was introduced to streamline production-linked investments and ensure that short-term technical assignments connected to manufacturing projects are processed under an appropriate and structured visa framework.

Accordingly, this visa category is particularly suitable for foreign nationals involved in:

Why e‑B‑4 over a regular E‑Business Visa?

Unlike a regular Business Visa, the e-B-4 (Production Investment Business) Visa is specifically meant for project-based technical assignments that are directly linked to production and investment activities. This structured framework ensures greater transparency, regulatory oversight and compliance tracking in line with India’s manufacturing and investment policies.

The e-B-4 visa category carries distinct regulatory features:

  • Specifically aligned with production-linked and investment-driven activities
  • Backed by a government-mandated registration mechanism
  • Requires an officially generated, digitally signed Sponsorship Letter through the National Single Window System (NSWS)
  • The details of the assignment are properly recorded and monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This framework shows India’s effort to simplify immigration procedures while ensuring proper oversight of production-linked foreign engagements and supporting ease of doing business for investors and global companies.

Summary

What is a Sponsorship Letter for the e‑B‑4 Visa?

Production Investment Business Registration is an online registration facility available on the National Single Window System (https://www.nsws.gov.in/**)** portal for Indian companies intending to invite foreign professionals or experts to India under the e-B-4 category.

Who Must Obtain the Sponsorship Letter?

  • Any foreign national applying for an e‑B‑4 (Production Investment Business) Visa
  • Any Indian company inviting foreign professionals for production, manufacturing, or investment‑linked activities

Submission of the Sponsorship Letter is mandatory at the time of visa application and is required for official records with the Ministry.

How to Generate & Download the Sponsorship Letter from NSWS

Portal: **https://www.nsws.gov.in/**

Below is the step‑by‑step process for Indian employers to generate the Sponsorship Letter.

Step 1:NSWS Registration & Profile Completion
2Click on Login
3Create an account using:
‣ Official email ID (OTP-verified)
‣ Mobile number (OTP-verified)
4Complete the Organisation Profile, which includes:
‣ Company details
‣ PAN verification
‣ Upload and verification of "Class-3 Organisational Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)"

Step 2:Navigate to Central Approvals
1After login, go to Central Approvals
2This section lists approvals issued by Central Ministries of the Government of India

Step 3:Select the Ministry & Add the Application to Dashboard
1Use the filters under Central Approvals to locate the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
2The Production Investment Business Sponsorship Letter falls under the MHA section
3Select "Production Investment Business Registration (Indian Company)" from the list
4Click "Add to Dashboard" to proceed
ⓘ Note
• The Sponsorship Letter application cannot be added unless the organisation profile is fully completed
• Application fee for profile registration is NIL

Step 4:Access the Application from 'My Dashboard' & Click 'Apply Now'
1Click on "My Dashboard" from the top menu
2Locate "Production Investment Business Registration (Indian Company)"
3Click "Apply Now" to begin filling out the form

Step 5:Fill in the Application Form
1The application is divided into four sections
2All questions are mandatory and must be filled accurately

Step 6:Section A – Employer / Indian Company Details

Section A captures detailed address, contact, and identity information of the Indian sponsoring company. All fields must exactly match official company records.

1. Name of the Company
2. Year of Establishment
3. CIN
4. Address and Contact Details
↳ Registered Address
↳ State (e.g., Haryana)
↳ District (e.g., Gurgaon)
↳ Pin Code (e.g., 122001)
↳ Email Address
↳ Mobile Number
ⓘ Note
• Address details should match MCA records
• Email and mobile may be used for official communication
• Avoid abbreviations or spelling mismatches

Step 7:Section B – Director Details of the Company

This section captures statutory details of the Director(s) of the sponsoring Indian company.

1. DIN (Director Identification Number)
2. Director Name (As per DIN/MCA records)
3. Father's Name
4. Date of Birth (As per DIN registration)
ⓘ Note
• Director details must exactly match MCA/DIN data
• Any mismatch may result in rejection or clarification requests

Step 8:Section C – Shareholding, Sector & Operational Details
A. Details of Shareholders (Top 10)
▸ Name
▸ % of Current Shareholding
▸ Other Details (if any)
B. Company Operations in India
▸ Year of Establishment
▸ Total investment in last 2 FYs (INR Crores)
▸ Project Location – State & District
C. Financial & Trade Details (Last 3 Years)
▸ Year, Total Turnover, Taxes Paid
▸ Total Indian Employees
▸ Total Foreign Employees
D. Compliance Declarations
▸ JV / partnership with foreign company? (Yes/No)
▸ Part of any Government Scheme? (Yes/No)
▸ Company type: ODM / OEM / Others
E. Nodal Compliance Officer
▸ Name, Designation, Address, Contact Details
Responsible for ensuring Indian professionals are trained to replace foreign professionals within a defined time-frame.

Step 9:Section D – Foreign Professionals / Third Party
A. Working Sites & Contact Details
▸ Working Site Address (Full with PIN code)
▸ Contact Person, Mobile, Email
Use "Add More" for multiple sites.
B. Current Workforce Details
▸ Total Indian employees
▸ Total foreign professionals
▸ If foreign employed: Country & Number
C. Proposed Foreign Professionals
▸ Name (as per passport), Country, Passport No. & Expiry
▸ Designation in India
▸ Current Company Name, Address & Nationality
▸ Site Addresses in India
▸ Reporting Date, Duration, Number of Visits
▸ Purpose / Role / Nature of Job
Passport details must exactly match. Designation must align with production/investment activities.

Step 10:Section E – Declaration

The signatory undertakes that foreign professionals will inform FRRO as per Visa guidelines. The signatory declares all information is true and accepts full responsibility. The company guarantees compliance with Indian laws and ensures departure upon work completion or visa expiry.

1. Name of the Signatory
2. Designation of the Signatory
3. Mobile Number
4. Email Address

Step 11:Review of the Application Form

Review the entire application section by section. Ensure all details are correct and no mandatory fields are blank to avoid rejection or resubmission.

Step 12:Payment of Fees and Final Submission

After completing the review, proceed with payment of the prescribed government fees and submit the application.

Once payment is complete, the application is formally submitted. View status from "My Dashboard". When status shows "Approved", download the letter from the portal.

For guidance on your Sponsorship Letter and the NSWS process, book a consultation with our specialists.
Schedule a call

Post-Approval Process and Visa Application

Once the letter is issued, download it from the portal, the employer may share the certificate with the foreign national who intends to visit India under the e-B-4 Visa category.

The foreign national shall then submit the sponsorship letter along with the other required supporting documents to the concerned Indian Embassy/Consulate in their home country. The applicant must then await further communication or instructions from the Embassy/Consulate regarding the visa decision.

 

The unique ID of the generated Sponsorship Letter shall be referred by foreign professional when he applies for Visa on the e-Visa portal (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in) where the module has been integrated with NSWS.

The issuance of the sponsorship letter does not guarantee the grant of a visa. This document is a mandatory requirement for the visa application process; however, the final decision regarding visa issuance rests solely with the respective Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Once the visa is granted, the applicant may travel to India. The e-B-4 Visa is generally issued with validity of up to six (6) months, subject to the discretion of the issuing authority.

Key Takeaways

  • The e-B-4 (Production Investment Business) Visa is a specialised Business Visa category for foreign professionals undertaking short-term, production-linked, installation, commissioning, and investment-related assignments in India.

  • Key documents include the digitally generated Sponsorship Letter from NSWS, passport copy, dispatch letter from the current employer, proforma (details of the applicant’s current employer), and other documents as required by the Indian Embassy/Consulate.

  • The Sponsorship Letter is a mandatory document generated through the National Single Window System (NSWS) by the Indian sponsoring company. It serves as an official undertaking confirming purpose of visit, compliance responsibility, and regulatory accountability.

  • The Indian company must complete NSWS registration, fill all mandatory sections accurately, review the application, pay the prescribed fees, and submit the form.

  • Visa processing typically ranges between 40–45 days. The visa is generally issued with validity of up to six (6) months.

  • Upon arrival in India, the foreign professional must comply with applicable immigration regulations, including FRRO registration, as per visa guidelines.

  • The e-B-4 Visa framework provides structured regulatory oversight for production-linked foreign engagements. Proper documentation, accurate filing, and strict compliance are essential.

For a detailed understanding of the e-B-4 Visa, refer to our Visa and Immigration guidebook.
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