Relocating to India: Getting prepared for departure

As a relocation destination, India is set to make the top four within the next two years. While many precedents exist with regard to international mobility, companies and workers relocating to India face a number of country-specific challenges.

Many of these relate to the facilities available struggling to keep pace with exploding demand, both from the growing expatriate and returning Indian national populations. Since India does not have its own organised relocation industry – although established global players are entering the market – these challenges are best managed in partnership with relocation experts and before departure.

Housing

Housing costs have sky rocketed recently and can be very expensive. Fortunately, the medium-term should see the arrival of new and better quality housing (mostly unfurnished) in the rental market following current levels of investment. In the interim, it pays to hire the services of an established home finder. They can guide you through the complexities involved in renting accommodation in this quickly changing environment, eg lengthy waiting lists, possible long-lease requirements, the facilities available in both short- and long-term housing, and should be able to use their contacts to favourable effect.

All the major cities have a good mix of housing, from US-style homes in gated compounds to apartment blocks with porters, terraced and detached homes. (NB Mumbai has very few detached/terraced homes.) Prices vary drastically from city to city and also depending on which part of the city you live in. Expect to pay around £1,000 per month rent for a 2-bedroom flat in South Mumbai. In other suburbs, some 2-bedroom flats and serviced apartments may rent out for as much as £800 per month.

Due to the very high-levels of both noise and air pollution, dust and heat in some areas, it might be advisable to seek accommodation with high ceilings, windows with protection from the sun and perhaps on the upper floors (fourth and above) in the case of apartment blocks.

Useful link: www.webindia123.com

Schools

For those with trailing families and school-age children, schools provision is generally good. For children following an international curriculum, all of the major centres have an international school. These generally compare well with home country standards, with many offering both IB and home country qualifications. (Note that some pupils may need additional tutoring when returning home for Common Entrance and similar examinations.) Competition for the best private schools is fierce. They very often have long waiting lists and strict entry requirements, including gruelling interviews. It is therefore imperative to start the application process in good time.

To meet the burgeoning demand for school places, a number of new Indian private schools are being set up. The culture of these news schools is very often results-oriented, and consequently discipline is stricter and the teaching more rigid than in international schools. At the same time, some more established international schools are dipping into their development accounts (funded from capital and enrolment fees) to upgrade and expand their facilities. If applying to Indian schools, remember that most will register new admissions only in certain months. Also, most schools won’t accept students in the middle of an academic year.

At nursery school level, where corporate employers rarely pick up the bills, parents can expect to pay around $200 a quarter, sometimes in addition to enrolment fees and non-refundable deposits. A few nursery schools use Montessori methods and equipment. Embassy nurseries are more expensive and also have extensive waiting lists. Note that with competition for good schools starting at ever-younger ages, the Indian supreme court recently banned interviews for nursery school places in the state of Delhi. A similar petition to scrap nursery school interviews is before Mumbai high court.

Expect to pay up to $20 an hour for extra-curricular activities like music lessons, foreign languages and sports. Again, the best tutors will have waiting lists.

Given the sensitivities around schooling and its importance for assignment success, HR managers would do well to have a clear policy to manage expectations and avoid miscommunication and conflict during the assignment. This could cover issues like who pays for additional costs like trips, equipment, travel and meals.

www.delhieducation.net/delhiedudestination/schools/

www.mumbaieducation.net/EducationProfile/

www.fullhyderabad.com/htdocs/education/education.phtml

www.bangaloreeducation.net/educationprofile/

Getting around

India’s transport infrastructure, also currently the focus of large-scale investment, can frustrate day-to-day living. Most of the major metropolitan centres have relatively comprehensive public transport services that are cheap and affordable. Yet overcrowding here and on the roads can be a huge problem, resulting in persistent traffic jams, noise and air pollution.

Companies with expatriate employees commonly offer a car or driver, often requiring an employee contribution, with provision varying at grade level. However, most Indians normally use public transport such as buses and over-ground suburban trains. Other forms of transport are motorized 3 wheelers (called auto-rickshaws) and taxis. In cities like Mumbai, there are taxis that are air-conditioned, but slightly more expensive.

There are also extensive domestic air services between India’s major cities, which can be an economical way in both time and money to travel the country.

www.indiatravelite.com

www.tourismindia.com

www.indianrail.gov.in

Cost of living

The Indian currency is the Rupee (Rs). The current exchange rate (September 2007) is around GB£1 to Rs82. Over the past five years this rate has remained relatively stable, fluctuating from a low of around Rs75 in summer 2005 to Rs89 in summer 2006. There are approximately Rs40 to the US$.

Eating out is inexpensive by western standards. Restaurants have grades and the cost will vary based on the grade. For example a pizza in a pizza restaurant can cost around £1.50 to £4. In Grade I restaurants, a meal for one can cost £6 to £15. Local Indian restaurants are much cheaper, with meals from £1 onwards. Most cities have Chinese restaurants.

For more details on the cost of living, visit the city guides on Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkota, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.

Visa requirements

Business visas are normally granted for three or six months. These need renewing if the visa holder leaves the country. However, multiple-entry business visas for up to two years validity may be granted to technicians and experts going to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint-venture projects having government approval, notes the Indian Embassy’s website. Application processing takes around 15 working days.

For more information, please visit www.indiavisaheadoffice.co.uk.

© 2007 of Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.