India's PRS scheme opens a long-term, low-friction path for serious foreign investors: a 10-year multiple-entry visa with no stay stipulation, family fully covered, and the right to put down roots. Here is everything that path involves, distilled.
Permanent Residency Status is a Government of India scheme under the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route, designed to attract serious long-term investors who bring capital and create jobs. Unlike standard visas, it grants a multiple-entry visa with no stay stipulation.
Long-term presence in India earned through qualifying foreign direct investment, not a routine visa renewal cycle.
Come and go as your business needs require. No minimum-days rule and no repeated extensions.
Your spouse and dependents are included under PRS, with their own privileges around work and study.
Right to purchase one residential property for your own dwelling, subject to FEMA regulations.
PRS holders are exempt from the usual Foreigners Regional Registration Officer registration.
Engage actively in operations and management with the certainty that a decade of validity provides.
PRS suits those making a committed, capital-backed bet on India, and the professionals who advise them.
Individuals deploying significant FDI into an Indian company and seeking durable, flexible residency.
Spouses and dependents who want to work or study in India without the usual expat visa hurdles.
Teams structuring investor relocations who need clarity on eligibility, timelines, and compliance.
Professionals guiding clients through FDI, FEMA, and immigration interplay around PRS.
Entrepreneurs setting up or scaling an Indian venture who want long-term personal certainty.
Advisors building India entry programs who need a reliable, scheme-specific reference.
PRS criteria focus on investment scale and job creation. Only foreign nationals investing via the FDI route into an Indian company (new or existing) qualify.
A foreign national investing in India via the FDI route, as per DPIIT/DIPP policy.
Meets one of the two minimum thresholds within the specified timeframe.
Generates employment for at least 20 resident Indian citizens every financial year.
Falls outside every excluded category set by the scheme.
Choose the route that matches your capital deployment capacity and timeline. Both require creating at least 20 jobs for resident Indians every year.
PRS is among the more investor-friendly long-term residency options in India. The advantages compound across work, property, and everyday life.
Multiple-entry visa valid for 10 years with no stay stipulation. No repeated extensions to chase.
Exempt from the usual foreigner registration with the FRRO/FRO that other categories must complete.
Buy one residential property for dwelling purposes, subject to FEMA regulations and reporting.
Spouse and dependents can work in the private sector. The ₹16.25 lakh per annum salary threshold does not apply to them.
Family can study in India without a separate Student Visa. Simply inform the FRRO/FRO of the institution, course, and duration in advance.
Engage actively in business operations and management with long-term, decade-scale certainty.
The journey runs in two phases: first secure the initial investor visa, then convert to PRS once your investment and employment commitments are met.
You cannot apply for PRS directly on an existing Business, Employment, or Tourist visa. You must first obtain a B-4 (Investor) Visa from an Indian Mission or Embassy in your home country or country of residence.
After completing the required investment and generating the mandated employment, you apply to convert to full PRS.
Incomplete applications cause significant delays. Documents should be self-attested where required, with originals presented for verification.
PRS is granted for an initial 10 years with multiple-entry privileges and no stay stipulation, then extendable by another 10.
PRS is not a "set and forget" status. Ongoing annual reporting keeps you compliant and eligible for renewal.
Five filings to the FRRO/FRO, due each year.
Report promptly whenever these change.
PRS holders may purchase immovable property in India, within specific limits set by FEMA.
One of the most attractive features of PRS is how much easier it makes long-term family settlement.
Your spouse and dependents can take up work in India's private sector.
Meaningful work, without the artificial salary barriers other expat categories face.
Spouse and dependents can study in India on PRS terms.
Just share the institution, course or subject, and duration ahead of time.
Quick answers to the most common PRS queries.
A government initiative to attract foreign investors under the FDI route. It provides a 10-year multiple-entry visa with no stay stipulation, extendable for another 10 years, to eligible investors who meet investment and job creation thresholds.
Foreign nationals investing in India via FDI who meet the minimum investment (₹10 Cr in 18 months or ₹25 Cr in 36 months) and create at least 20 jobs for resident Indians annually. Pakistani citizens or persons of Pakistani origin are not eligible, and top management of the foreign investing company are excluded.
No. You must first obtain a B-4 Investor Visa from an Indian Mission in your home country. Only after fulfilling the investment and employment conditions under that visa can you apply for PRS separately through the FRRO/FRO.
PRS is initially valid for 10 years. It can be extended for another 10 years if you have a clean record and continue to meet investment and employment conditions. Apply for extension at least 6 months before expiry.
A 10-year multiple-entry visa with no stay limit, exemption from FRRO registration, the right to buy one residential property, spouse and dependents able to work without the ₹16.25 lakh salary threshold, and family able to study without a separate Student Visa.
Core documents include passport and visa copies, a photograph, residence proof, Form FC-GPR, the RBI acknowledgement, the Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets, Income Tax Returns, and an employment generation certificate from the statutory auditor.
Yes. PRS can be revoked for failure to meet investment or job conditions, RBI defaults, legal issues (insolvency, conviction, unsound mind), or if your continued stay is deemed undesirable. You and your family must leave within 3 months, and property must be sold per FEMA within 1 year.
Yes. You must submit annual updates to the FRRO/FRO including FC-GPR, RBI returns, ITR, and employment generation details certified by your company's statutory auditor. Also report any address or passport changes promptly.
Yes. Your spouse and dependents can work in the private sector (with FRRO permission and the salary threshold waived) and pursue education without a separate Student Visa, simply by informing the FRRO in advance.
You can purchase only one residential property for dwelling purposes, subject to FEMA regulations. Commercial property or multiple units are not permitted under PRS privileges.
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