Foreign investors bringing in at least Rs 10 crore capital will be eligible for residency status, easier visa regime and employment for family members among other benefits under a new policy approved by the Cabinet today to attract more overseas funds.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announed the move after the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A certain threshold if you invest in India, then there will be availability of visa, the availability of the right to purchase assets, the availability of employment for family members, there is a detailed policy that has been approved by the Cabinet today.Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
Emulating the Singapore-model, India will offer residency permits of up to 20 years to foreigners willing to invest a minimum threshold in the country. An official statement said the permanent residency status will be granted for a period of 10 years initially with multiple entry facility, which can be reviewed for renewal for another 10 years.
The scheme is expected to encourage foreign investment in India and facilitate the Make in India programme. Under the scheme, suitable provisions will be incorporated in the Visa Manual to provide for the grant of permanent residency status to foreign investors.
The scheme will be applicable only to foreign investors fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions, his/her spouse and dependents.
“In order to avail this scheme, the foreign investor will have to invest a minimum of Rs 10 crore to be brought within 18 months or Rs 25 crore to be brought within 36 months. Further, the foreign investment should result in generating employment to at least 20 resident Indians every financial year,” the statement said.
Investors would also be allowed to buy one residential property for dwelling purposes and their spouses and children can work or study here. However, this scheme would not be available for Pakistani or Chinese citizens.
The status will serve as a multiple entry visa without any stay stipulation and holders will be exempted from the registration requirements. The spouse/dependents will be allowed to take up employment in private sector (in relaxation to salary stipulations for Employment Visa) and undertake studies in India.
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