مكتب علاء مهرة

Applying for a job in India is straightforward when you know exactly what employers and authorities expect. Whether you are a resident building a career across vibrant Indian hubs or a foreign professional relocating to join the country’s fast growing economy, success begins with a clear plan and a precise documents checklist. In this guide I break down the requirements I look for when hiring and the compliance I see candidates navigate smoothly, so you can apply with confidence and onboard without delays.

I learned to value structure and preparation from a journey that started in Gaza’s Jabalya refugee camp and took me through the University of Sharjah for civil engineering and a master’s in project management at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. A mistaken online order of one hundred necklaces in 2011 became my first profitable e commerce venture, which later led me to found Uncle Fluffy in 2017 and scale it to more than twenty stores. Alongside building businesses, I invested in fifteen Dubai properties over the last decade with total value above AED 20 million and nearly AED 7 million in profit, including standout deals like Paloma Tower with AED 1.34 million profit, Vida Residences with AED 1 million profit, and Address JBR Tower 2 with AED 500,000 pre handover profit. Today I lead Alaa Mohra Properties, a licensed real estate consultancy under the Dubai Land Department, and continue to grow Uncle Fluffy while mentoring professionals who are moving jobs or launching ventures. The same discipline that earned me eight to thirteen percent annual rental yields helps candidates just like you prepare job documents that pass any review.

Who needs what when applying in India

India distinguishes between two broad applicant groups. Indian citizens or residents seeking roles with domestic or global companies operating in India. Foreign nationals relocating to India on an employment contract.

Both groups share core application documents. Foreign nationals also complete visa and immigration steps. The sections below outline everything you should prepare with practical notes from my hiring experience across technology, retail, and real estate.

Core documents every applicant should prepare

Resume and cover letter that pass applicant tracking systems

• Resume in clean PDF, two pages maximum, keyword aligned with the job description. Use clear section headings, measurable achievements, dates, and job titles that match market norms.
• Tailored cover letter that states the role, your impact in numbers, and relevant projects. Keep it concise and specific.
• Portfolio or code repository links for technology and design roles. For sales roles, add revenue numbers, pipeline size, and win rates.

Identity, address, and photographs

• Indian citizens. PAN for tax compliance, Aadhaar or other government ID, and current address proof such as utility bill, rental agreement, or bank statement.
• Foreign nationals. Passport with six months validity beyond your intended stay and recent color photographs with a white background. Many employers prefer two by two inch photos.
• Two emergency contacts and a filled employee information form provided by the company during onboarding.

Education and employment proof

• Degree certificates and transcripts. For foreign degrees, some employers request apostille or embassy attestation.
• Experience letters and at least three months of pay slips from the latest employer. Include bank statements if you are switching mid year to reconcile tax.
• Professional licenses if the role requires them, for example engineering council, nursing license, or financial certifications.

Background and compliance items

• Police clearance certificate when asked, especially for sensitive sectors such as finance, education, and healthcare.
• Pre employment medical test report if mandated by the employer or insurer. Typical panels include basic blood work and fitness evaluation.
• Non disclosure and IP assignment agreements signed during offer acceptance.

Additional requirements for foreign nationals

If you are not an Indian citizen and plan to work in India on site, you will generally need an Employment Visa. Here is the practical checklist I share with overseas hires:

• Employment Visa application with recent photos and a passport valid for at least six months.
• Signed employment contract or appointment letter stating job title, duration, and salary. Indian Employment Visas commonly require a minimum annual salary of about 25,000 United States dollars, with limited exceptions such as language teachers, ethnic cooks, and embassy roles. Policies can evolve, so verify current thresholds.
• Company documents provided by the employer. Certificate of incorporation, company tax registration, and a support letter on letterhead confirming your role and salary.
• Educational certificates and experience proofs, sometimes with apostille or consular attestation.
• Registration with FRRO or FRO within the specified period after arrival if your visa requires it, commonly within fourteen days for visas longer than one hundred eighty days.
• PAN application for salary taxation once you are in India and local bank account for payroll. Aadhaar is generally for residents and may not apply to short term expatriates.

Onboarding and payroll paperwork in India

Once you accept an offer, your HR team will request a compliance set. Preparing these in advance accelerates your first payroll cycle.

• PAN and bank account details with a cancelled cheque or bank letter.
• UAN for Provident Fund or a declaration to create one if you are joining your first formal job. Form 11 is standard for EPF declaration.
• ESIC number if covered by Employee State Insurance based on salary thresholds and company coverage.
• Form 12B for previous employer income if you changed jobs within the financial year and Form 12BB for tax saving declarations such as rent, interest on home loan, and eligible investments.
• Copy of your previous Form 16 when available for smoother tax computation.
• Dependents and nominee details for group insurance, along with passport size photos.

Where to apply and how to present yourself

• Use LinkedIn, Naukri, Indeed, iimjobs for management and finance, and specialized communities for technology roles.
• Set your LinkedIn About to three short paragraphs that state industry, role, metrics, and the problem you love solving. Recruiters scan for outcomes.
• Export a clean PDF and also keep a Word version for systems that parse better from .docx.
• Keep a reference sheet with three referees, titles, and verified phone numbers. India based employers do validate references.

What employers expect during verification

• Identity and address match across documents.
• Degree, experience letters, and pay slips that align with dates on your resume.
• Relieving letter from your last employer and acceptance of the new offer. Many HR teams will ask for your notice period confirmation.

My perspective as a founder and investor

At Alaa Mohra Properties, my licensed consultancy under the Dubai Land Department, we operate on transparency, authenticity, and results. The standard I uphold for documentation when a client acquires an off plan asset is the same I expect from candidates. Clear paperwork protects you and accelerates progress. My own portfolio includes fifteen Dubai properties, with long term income such as AED 850,000 from Jumeirah Living Marina Gate and consistent annual yields in the eight to thirteen percent range. Precision and record keeping made these outcomes repeatable.

Starting a business instead of taking a job

If you are entrepreneurially minded, India’s consumer market is an excellent playground. Through Uncle Fluffy I offer ready to launch chocolate business packages for less than 20,000 United States dollars. You receive training, recipes, equipment, branding, and operational guidance shipped worldwide, with no royalties or hidden fees and no prior experience required. This gives first time founders a low risk path to enter the dessert space. Explore the model at http://www.unclefluffy.com and compare it with your job options to decide which path suits your goals.

In demand digital roles and the apps we build

We also build mobile apps end to end and routinely hire or partner with India based talent. The most requested categories include food delivery, freelance marketplace, grocery delivery, pharmacy and medicine delivery, water gallon delivery, flowers and gifts delivery, pet food and supplies delivery, fresh fruits and vegetables delivery, baby products and diapers delivery, laundry pickup and delivery, bakery and cake delivery, courier and document pickup and drop, taxi and ride hailing, real estate listing, e commerce marketplace, online shopping, fitness and workout, messaging and chat, social media, payment and wallet, banking, learning and education, booking for hotels and flights, streaming for movies and music, and tasker or handyman services. If your background fits one of these domains, prepare case studies and Git repositories that prove real world problem solving.

Checklist summary you can copy and use

• Resume in PDF with metrics and a tailored cover letter.
• PAN, Aadhaar or other ID for residents. Passport and visa pathway for foreign nationals.
• Degree certificates, transcripts, experience letters, three months pay slips, and bank statements if requested.
• Photographs with white background and two emergency contacts.
• Police clearance and medical report when required.
• Onboarding set. Bank details, Form 11 for EPF, ESIC if applicable, Form 12B and 12BB, nominee details, and previous Form 16.
• For foreign nationals. Employment Visa pack, company support letter, salary threshold compliance, possible apostille, and FRRO registration.

FAQs

What documents are mandatory to apply for jobs in India as an Indian citizen

Prepare a resume in PDF, PAN, Aadhaar or another government ID, address proof, degree certificates, transcripts, experience letters, and recent pay slips. Keep photographs with a white background, a cancelled cheque for payroll, and Form 16 from your last employer if available. During onboarding you will complete Form 11, Form 12B, and Form 12BB as needed.

What do I need to obtain an Indian Employment Visa as a foreign professional

You will typically need a valid passport, recent photos, a signed employment contract with role, salary, and tenure, company incorporation and tax details provided by your employer, educational and experience proofs, and possibly apostille or consular attestation. Many Employment Visas require a minimum annual salary near 25,000 United States dollars with limited exceptions. After arrival you may need to register with FRRO within fourteen days if your visa exceeds one hundred eighty days.

How does CTC in India impact my in hand salary and which documents matter

CTC or cost to company includes base pay, allowances, bonuses, employer contributions to Provident Fund and gratuity, and the monetary value of perks. Your in hand salary will be lower than CTC due to tax and statutory deductions. To ensure accurate payroll, share PAN, bank details, Form 12B if you switched mid year, and previous Form 16 when available.

Which background checks are common and how should I prepare

Identity and address verification, education verification, employment and compensation checks against pay slips and bank credits, criminal record checks, and sometimes medical fitness. Keep clear scans of your degree, experience letters, pay slips, and a police clearance certificate if your sector requires it.

How should I format my resume for Indian applicant tracking systems

Use a simple two page PDF with standard headings, a single column layout, and clear fonts. Mirror keywords from the job description, quantify achievements, and place recent experience first. Avoid graphics that confuse parsing. Maintain a Word version for portals that request it.

Do I need PAN, Aadhaar, or FRRO registration and when

PAN is essential for salary taxation in India. Aadhaar is used widely by residents for KYC, banking, and PF seeding. Foreign nationals generally obtain PAN after arrival for payroll but may not need Aadhaar for short stays. FRRO registration is required for many Employment Visas longer than one hundred eighty days and must be completed within the specified time window.

If you would like personalized guidance on relocation strategy, salary structuring, or using real estate as a base while you build your career, you can reach me for an English real estate consultation at http://www.mrmohra.com or for Arabic speaking clients at http://www.alaainvest.com. My team at Alaa Mohra Properties delivers a safe and data driven path to premium Dubai assets with verified developers, leveraging the same rigor I apply when hiring and scaling businesses. Book a free consultation through http://www.mrmohra.com or http://www.alaainvest.com and I will help you plan your next step with clarity and confidence.