Arriving
Visas & Arrival, Settling In, Flights & Connections. 8 min read.
01Visas & Arrival
Visas and registration
India's visa rules are the same whichever city you fly into. The process for Ahmedabad is the same as for any big Indian city. Your employer and IKAN guide you through it from the day you accept your offer.
Visa Types
Employment Visa
For foreign nationals employed by an Indian company or MNC. Requires proof of employment with salary threshold ~USD 25,000/year. Most international cross-border moves to Ahmedabad arrive on this visa.USD 25,000
Business Visa
For board attendance, establishing operations, and due-diligence visits. Valid up to 180 days per visit. Suitable for those assessing Ahmedabad or GIFT City before a full relocation.up to 180 days per visit
e-Tourist Visa
30, 90, or 180-day scouting stays, ideal for school reconnaissance, property viewings, and neighbourhood exploration ahead of your move.
Dependent Visa
For accompanying spouses and children. Requires proof of relationship and the primary visa holder's employment documentation. Note: dependent-visa holders may live in India but cannot take up employment here, a spouse who wants to work needs their own employment visa.
Nationality Rules
Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar and certain other nationalities face additional security clearance requirements and processing times of 4 to 6 weeks beyond standard. Your IKAN consultant will advise on country-specific requirements at your pre-arrival briefing.
Note: There are no Visa or FRRO requirements if you are a returning Indian national or an OCI card holder. Please consult your IKAN relocation advisor for country-specific guidance.
FRRO Registration · Ahmedabad
e-FRRO Ahmedabad
If your visa carries a registration endorsement (employment and dependent visas usually do), register within 14 days of arrival. Other long-stay visa holders (over 180 days) must register before completing 180 days in India; when in doubt, treat 14 days as your deadline. There is no physical visit required. IKAN assists you through the entire FRRO registration process.
Portal: indianfrro.gov.in, complete your online application first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and passport photos.
Portal: indianfrro.gov.in, complete your online application first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and passport photos.
Arriving at SVPIA (AMD)
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), Hansol, the international terminal handles all overseas arrivals
- Immigration queues are moderate by Indian-metro standards; e-Visa lanes are faster
- Modern international terminal modelled on Singapore Changi, ~9 km north of the city centre
- Travel time to SG Highway / Satellite: 30-45 min depending on traffic
- Pre-book your transfer. IKAN arranges airport pickup as part of your arrival package
Your Arrival Sequence
1
Embassy Visa Application
YouApply at the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your home country. IKAN guides you through the documentation checklist. Processing: 3 to 10 working days for standard applications.
2
onDay 3 to 4
FRRO Registration · Day 3-4
IKANNo physical visit is required. IKAN assists you through the entire FRRO process. Complete the online application at indianfrro.gov.in first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and passport photos. IKAN helps negotiate and prepare your Rent Agreement to ensure FRRO compliance.
3
Mobile SIM Registration
YouBring passport and visa to any Jio or Airtel store. Both offer eSIM and international roaming add-ons. Activation takes 4 to 24 hours, sort this early so you can use UPI, ride-hailing and maps from day one.
4
PAN Card Application
YouApply on the Protean (NSDL) portal with Form 49AA soon after arrival; your passport serves as proof of identity and address, so you need not wait for FRRO registration. Required for banking, investments, and tax compliance. Takes 10 to 15 working days. Aadhaar is not required for foreign nationals.
5
Resident Bank Account Opening
YouOpen a resident savings account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank. A foreign national who relocates on an employment visa is a resident of India under FEMA, so you open a normal resident savings account, not an NRE/NRO account, which is reserved for Non-Resident Indians living abroad. Bring passport, visa, FRRO acknowledgment, PAN receipt, and rental agreement. Takes 3 to 5 working days. Essential before salary or investments can be received.
6
Arrange Transport
YouSet up Ola and Uber and the Ahmedabad Metro app, and use app autos for quick solo hops. The metro and BRTS cover the main corridors; ride-hailing handles the rest comfortably and cheaply. (App bike-taxis aren't legal in Gujarat, plan on autos and cabs.)
7
International Health Insurance
YouEnsure comprehensive international cover is activated before your first medical need. IKAN connects you with specialist brokers who understand Ahmedabad-specific hospital direct billing arrangements.
02Settling In
Your first 30 days
The visa section above puts your FRRO, PAN and bank account in order. This is the settling-in list that runs alongside it. IKAN handles the steps with deadlines, so none of them is missed.
1
onDay 3 to 4
FRRO Registration · Day 3-4
No physical visit is required. IKAN assists you through the entire FRRO process within your 14-day window. Complete the online application at indianfrro.gov.in first. Bring passport, visa, rental agreement, and passport photos. Your FRRO registration certificate is needed for school admissions and future visa renewals, and can also serve as address proof for your PAN.
2
Mobile SIM Registration
YouBring passport and visa to any Jio or Airtel store. Both offer eSIM and international roaming add-ons. SIM activation takes 4 to 24 hours: register as soon as possible after landing so you can use UPI, ride-hailing and maps.
3
PAN Card Application
YouApply on the Protean (NSDL) portal (onlineservices.proteantech.in) with Form 49AA soon after arrival; your passport serves as proof of identity and address, so you need not wait for FRRO registration. Required for banking, investments, salary credits, and tax compliance. Takes 10 to 15 working days. Aadhaar is not required for foreign nationals, PAN alone is your financial identity in India.
4
Bank Account Opening
YouOpen a savings account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank. Bring passport, visa, FRRO acknowledgment, PAN receipt, and rental agreement. HDFC and Axis open accounts within 3 to 5 working days; HSBC offers dedicated relationship management for expat resident accounts.
5
Arrange Permanent Transport
YouSet up Ola and Uber, download the Ahmedabad Metro app, and consider an IKAN-arranged car lease with a driver. For GIFT City commuters, the Phase 2 metro is now a practical alternative to driving.
6
International Health Insurance Activation
YouEnsure comprehensive international cover is active before your first medical need. IKAN connects you with specialist brokers who understand Ahmedabad's hospital direct-billing arrangements, especially important for families with children in international schools.
Transport Setup
Ahmedabad Mobility
Ola & Uber · Ahmedabad Metro (Blue/Red + GIFT City) · autos & app cabs · BRTS Janmarg · IKAN car-lease with driver. Avoid self-driving for the first few months while you learn the roads and two-wheeler etiquette.
Liquor Permit
Dry-State Essentials
If you wish to drink, apply for a foreign-national liquor permit online via the Gujarat e-permit portal soon after arrival (passport + visa needed). Permitted liquor is sold at licensed shops in certain hotels, there is no general retail.
Expat Community
Build Your Network
GIFT City international professional circles & the GIFT City Club · your employer's expat network · Expat.com Ahmedabad forum · your society's WhatsApp group · consulate and chamber-of-commerce events
Key Portals
Essential Links
FRRO: indianfrro.gov.in · PAN: onlineservices.proteantech.in · Liquor permit: Gujarat e-permit portal · Torrent Power: torrentpower.com · AMC: ahmedabadcity.gov.in · Metro: gujaratmetrorail.com
Safety
Safe for Women & Families
Ahmedabad is consistently ranked among India's safest big cities, and women, including international residents, generally report feeling comfortable out and about, including in the evenings. The usual big-city common sense applies, but daily life is calm and family-friendly.
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ Context
Same-sex relationships are legal in India (decriminalised in 2018), but Ahmedabad is socially conservative and most LGBTQ+ residents are discreet in public. Same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognised. Larger employers and GIFT City firms tend to be the most inclusive environments.
Access
Accessibility
Newer malls, offices, the metro, the airport and leading private hospitals are largely wheelchair-accessible; older areas, uneven footpaths and the walled city are far less so. A car-with-driver is the practical option if step-free access matters day to day.
Worship
Places of Worship
Temples, Jain derasars, mosques, churches and gurudwaras sit across the city, alongside ISKCON and several international congregations in the west, reflecting Ahmedabad's mixed heritage.
Utilities
Piped Gas & Water
Electricity is supplied by Torrent Power; cooking gas in most western-suburb societies is piped natural gas (PNG) from Adani Total Gas (older buildings use LPG cylinders); water comes from the AMC municipal supply, often topped up by a society borewell or tanker.
03Flights & Connections
Flights from Ahmedabad
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) is one of India's busiest, with a modern international terminal. Its best links are to the Gulf. Direct long-haul flights to London and Singapore, and many domestic routes, keep Ahmedabad well connected for people who travel for work.
| Destination | Airlines | Frequency | Duration | Approx Fare (Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Emirates, IndiGo, Air India Express | Multiple daily | 3h 00m | ₹16,000 to 32,000 |
| London Gatwick | Air India (non-stop) | 3×/week | ~10h 00m | ₹60,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Singapore | Singapore Airlines | Most days | 5h 50m | ₹30,000 to 52,000 |
| Abu Dhabi | Etihad, IndiGo | Daily | 3h 15m | ₹17,000 to 34,000 |
| Doha | Qatar Airways, IndiGo | Daily | 3h 30m | ₹20,000 to 40,000 |
| Bangkok | Thai carriers (seasonal) | Several / week | 4h 15m | ₹22,000 to 42,000 |
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Mumbai
1h 15m
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa, frequent
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Delhi
1h 35m
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa · 15+ daily
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Bangalore
2h 05m
IndiGo, Akasa · 8-12 daily
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Hyderabad
1h 45m
IndiGo, Akasa, several daily
SVPIA Terminal 2
About Your Airport
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), at Hansol, ~9km north of the centre, has a modern international terminal inspired by Singapore Changi, with a moving walkway between terminals. Distance to SG Highway / Satellite: 30 to 45 minutes by road. The Gulf hubs (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) put the rest of the world one stop away; most other long-haul routes connect via Delhi, Mumbai or a Gulf hub.
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