The visa category must match the actual activity. A mismatch can create delay, rework and compliance risk, which is why the live facts should be reviewed before anyone files or relies on a start date.
The Employment Visa
An employment visa can apply where a foreign national takes up qualifying employment in India, subject to current eligibility, role, employer, remuneration and documentary requirements. Dependants and registration obligations must be reviewed separately for the live case.
The Business Visa
A business visa can apply to qualifying business activity that is not employment. It should not be treated as a substitute for an employment route when the actual activity falls outside its current permitted purpose.
How to decide
The test is substance, not convenience: what is the person actually doing, for whom, and for how long? Get a specialist to categorise before anyone files. The few days it takes up front save the weeks a wrong category costs.
Legal and immigration articles are general information, not legal advice. Official requirements can change after the review date.
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