The government has launched a new visa category called the Production Investment Visa (e-B-4 Visa).
This visa allows Indian companies to hire foreign professionals for production-related activities.
The e-B-4 Visa replaces the e-Production Linked Investment (e-PLI) visa, which has now been discontinued.
Unlike the e-PLI visa, the new category expands the scope for which foreign specialists, engineers, and executives can come to India.
What the Visa Covers
Under the new visa, foreign professionals can be brought in for a wide range of activities:
Installation and commissioning of equipment
Quality checks and essential maintenance
Production activities and IT/ERP ramp-up
Training and skill development
Supply chain development and vendor empanelment
Plant design
Senior management and executives for production investment projects
This broader coverage makes it easier for companies to bring in the required expertise for manufacturing and production growth.
Streamlined and Digital Process
Applying for the Production Investment Visa is now simpler and fully online:
It is issued as an e-visa through the online visa portal.
Indian companies can generate digital sponsorship letters for foreign professionals.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced an online module for generating sponsorship letters.
The process is integrated into the National Single Window System (NSWS), available for both PLI and non-PLI businesses.
This digital integration reduces paperwork and speeds up the visa approval process, making it easier for companies to bring in skilled foreign talent.
The Production Investment Visa is a significant step to boost foreign expertise in India’s manufacturing sector, simplify approvals, and support industrial growth.
