Before you leave India
The papers you leave behind in India are the ones you will need in month two. Go through this list a few months before you fly.
Identity and civil documents
- Passport valid for at least the full length of your first permit, ideally with several blank pages
- Birth certificate, apostilled
- Marriage certificate (if married), registered and apostilled
- Children's birth certificates, apostilled
- Several passport photos in the biometric format of your destination country
Education and work
- Degree certificates and full transcripts, verified and apostilled
- Experience letters on letterhead with dates, role and duties
- Professional registration certificates (for example State Nursing Council)
- Language certificates
- Recognition or comparability decisions from the destination country
- Sworn translations where required
Police clearance
Many countries ask for a police clearance certificate (PCC). For Indian citizens this is issued through Passport Seva. Check how recent it must be, as some countries accept only certificates issued within the last three to six months.
Emigration clearance
If your passport has the "Emigration Check Required" (ECR) status, you need emigration clearance only when going to work in one of the ECR countries listed by the Ministry of External Affairs, which are mainly in the Gulf and parts of Asia. European countries are not on that list. Still, use registered recruiting agents only if an agent is involved at all.
Money
- Indian residents can send money abroad under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, up to USD 250,000 per financial year. Banks may collect tax at source above certain amounts; ask your bank.
- If you need a blocked account (for example for Germany's Opportunity Card), open it with an approved provider before applying.
- Bring enough to cover a deposit, first rent and two months of living costs.
- Tell your bank you are moving and keep your Indian account active for future NRI use.
Health
- Travel or incoming health insurance for the first weeks, if your permit requires it
- Vaccination records and a summary of any medical conditions or prescriptions, translated
- A supply of regular medication, with the prescription
Driving
An International Driving Permit lets you drive for a limited time in many countries. Exchanging an Indian licence for a European one is often not possible, so you may need to take local lessons and tests. Check the rules in your destination.
Tax and status in India
When you leave, your Indian tax residency changes once you spend less than the threshold number of days in India. Inform your bank so your accounts can be converted to NRI accounts. See tax and social security.
