EU VISA AND RESIDENCE ROUTE

SELECTION GUIDE FOR INDIAN NATIONALS

This guide covers the principal EU visa and residence routes available to Indian nationals — for business travel, professional relocation, investment, and long-term residence. It covers both the Schengen short-stay visa for business visits and the major long-stay routes including the EU Blue Card, national work permits, entrepreneur visas, investor residence permits, and digital nomad visas.

Note: Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. This guide is for general information only. Always consult a qualified immigration lawyer in the specific EU member state before making any visa or residence application.

1. SCHENGEN SHORT-STAY VISA (TYPE C) — BUSINESS VISITS

A Schengen Type C visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all 27 EU Schengen member states (and associated Schengen countries). It is the standard visa for business meetings, trade fairs, supplier visits, and short-term commercial negotiations.

2. EU BLUE CARD — HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS

The EU Blue Card (Directive (EU) 2021/1883) is the primary work and residence permit for highly qualified Indian professionals relocating to an EU member state. It is the recommended route for Indian IT professionals, engineers, doctors, scientists, and other degree-qualified professionals.

2.1 Germany — Special Provisions for Indian Nationals

Germany has introduced the most progressive immigration reforms for skilled third-country nationals in the EU, with specific relevance for India:

Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card): From June 2024 — Indian nationals with a degree or vocational qualification and basic German or English language skills can enter Germany to seek employment for up to one year, without needing a job offer in advance. Points-based: qualification, age, language skills, Germany connection, and experience in a shortage occupation.

IT professionals without a degree: Germany now recognises IT professional experience (minimum 3 years) in lieu of a formal degree for the Blue Card — uniquely allowing non-degree IT professionals to apply.

Skilled Worker visa (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz): Allows any Indian national with a job offer in a shortage occupation to apply for a work visa — broader than the Blue Card.

VDE / recognition of Indian qualifications: Germany has bilateral agreements for recognition of certain Indian professional qualifications. Engineers, doctors, and pharmacists may need to go through qualification recognition before applying.

3. NATIONAL WORK PERMITS — KEY EU MEMBER STATES

4. DIGITAL NOMAD AND REMOTE WORK VISAS

Several EU member states now offer specific visas for remote workers — Indian freelancers, consultants, and IT professionals who work for non-EU clients or employers can relocate to an EU country under these schemes:

5. INVESTOR AND ENTREPRENEUR ROUTES

6. INTRA-CORPORATE TRANSFER (ICT) ROUTE

Indian companies with EU clients can deploy staff on-site in the EU through the Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive (Directive 2014/66/EU):

Eligible: Managers and Specialists (employed by the Indian company for at least 3–6 months); Trainee employees.

Duration: Managers and Specialists — up to 3 years; Trainees — up to 1 year.

Salary: Must be at least equivalent to what would be paid to a local employee in the same role in the host member state.

Multi-country ICT: After 90 days in the first EU member state, the ICT permit holder can move to a second EU member state under the mobility provisions — one permit covers multiple EU postings.

Application: By the Indian company at the competent national authority of the first EU member state of deployment. Processing: typically 90 days.

Most relevant for: Indian IT companies deploying consultants at EU client sites; Indian engineering companies with EU project work; Indian pharma companies with EU regulatory affairs or clinical trial teams.

7. VISA ROUTE SELECTION MATRIX

Doc 90 — EU Visa and Residence Route Selection Guide for Indian Nationals — Neutral Template