Global Lifestyle
India has one of the largest populations in the world, which means it’s a wealth of diversity in language and culture. According to an archived report from the Times of India, ‘Article 343 of the Constitution and the Official Language Act say that the official language of the Union will be Hindi.
However, the attempt to adopt Hindi as the official language was strongly opposed by several non-Hindi speaking states.
As of 2018, there are 22 scheduled languages in the Constitution with more under consideration, while there is no ‘national language’, Hindi and English are still considered the ‘official’ languages in India.
India has a vast and universal healthcare system, but discrepancies in quality between rural and urban areas are still very prominent. The doctor to patient ratios, particularly in poorer, rural areas are significantly low and access is limited.
Many people turn to the private sector for better healthcare, but as there are out-of-pocket costs, accessibility across the board is still an issue. Private hospitals are known to have very high-quality care at a fraction of the price of developed countries however, so this option can be accessible for expats who are in need of healthcare while abroad.
Insurance is available, and can often be paid by employers, however, this isn’t universal across all regions and many people are still left out-of-pocket for healthcare costs.
Understanding the healthcare system in India and taking necessary precautions before leaving, and while abroad, will help ensure that your time overseas is safe and enjoyable.
There are a few options for expats looking for work in India. For those on a business visa looking to expand their business overseas, India is slowly establishing itself as a burgeoning market for business, but still has a number of obstacles that can make the ease of doing business somewhat difficult.
Despite this, industries like retail, telecommunications and construction are starting to flourish and with it, opportunity for expats looking for work abroad.
If you’re not being transferred to India through a company, there are search engine options for finding a job as a foreigner, but it’s also a good idea to get recommendations from people who know what the best sites are, or research which options are rated highly online. Using overseas and expat job portals like MichaelPage, Go Abroad or even leveraging networks on LinkedIn can help with finding work internationally.
While India has aspects of living that might be more affordable than other parts of the world, living in the big cities like Mumbai and New Delhi can still be expensive. One option is to ask whether complementary accommodation can be included from an employer or alternatively, you can ask fellow expats or networks in India for a recommended agent.
Sometimes fees can be incurred for viewing a property with an agent, but this isn’t a legal requirement. Deposits can range from two months to one years worth of rent and it’s worth asking for receipts and a tenancy agreement if you do decide to rent a property.
To get an idea of the costs involved in moving to India, here’s a few of the major currencies compared to the Indian rupee as shown by the OFX Currency Converter as at 25/2/2019:
When it comes to the conversion, doing some research into the best ways you can send your money abroad before you head off is the way to go. Using a foreign exchange specialist like OFX will help in providing smaller margins than the big banks, and with 24/7 customer support, you can be anywhere in the world and OFX will be able to help.
Private schools in India are privately owned and not government funded (unless these are charitable trust run schools with some government aide) and are often a popular choice for families, particularly in urban areas and some rural areas. Generally, private schools in India are known to cover the entire curriculum, offer extra-curricular activities, and the pupil teacher ratios are typically much better.
Alternatively, many expats often seek out international schools for their children, which follow their home curricula and is international in its orientation. According to the International Schools Consultancy (ISC), India currently has 410 international schools to choose from. However, international schools are often more expensive, and spots get taken very quickly.
India is a fascinating, complex and culturally rich place to experience as an expat, and regardless of why you’re moving to India, there’s plenty of options for all your living necessities. If you do decide to move to India, you can use an international money transfer specialist like OFX to send your money from your home bank account to your foreign bank account without hidden fees or large exchange rate margins. Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about when you’re making the move abroad. Now you can get back to the exciting parts of moving abroad.
Please be advised that while every effort is make to keep this information up to date, OFX does not provide employment, immigration or tax advice or the like, and you should always consult an employment, immigration or tax professional about your unique circumstances.
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