🇮🇳Expand Your Business to India
Tap into the world's largest English-speaking workforce, cutting-edge tech talent, and achieve 70% cost savings while scaling your operations globally.
Why Expand to India?
Tech Powerhouse
Home to global R&D centers for Microsoft, Google, Amazon. Produces 1.5M engineers annually.
English Proficiency
125M+ English speakers, the world's second-largest English-speaking population after the USA.
24/7 Operations
10.5-hour time difference with US East Coast enables round-the-clock business operations.
Education System
23 IITs, 31 NITs, and 3,500+ engineering colleges producing world-class STEM graduates.
Cost Efficiency
Save 65-75% on operational costs while maintaining quality. Average tech salary: $15-25k.
Infrastructure
World-class tech parks, reliable power, and fastest-growing internet infrastructure globally.
Our Operations in India
Bangalore & Delhi NCR
What We've Built
- 500+ employees across technical and support functions
- 24/7 operations serving global clients
- Centers in premium tech parks with backup power
- ISO certified processes and security compliance
Key Learnings
- •Bangalore for tech talent, NCR for scale and diversity
- •Invest in employee transport and meals - it's expected
- •Festival calendar planning is crucial (30+ holidays)
- •Tier-2 cities offer 20-30% additional cost savings
Services We Deliver from India
Software Development
Full-stack development, mobile apps, AI/ML, cloud engineering, DevOps
Technical Support
L1-L3 support, system administration, network monitoring, cybersecurity
Business Process
Finance & accounting, data analytics, digital marketing, content creation
R&D Services
Product development, QA/testing, research, innovation labs
Economic Overview
Salary Benchmarks
Average Salary by Role
Note: Salaries vary by experience level, location, and company size. Add 20-40% for benefits, taxes, and overhead.
Tax Environment
Tax Environment
Tax Considerations
Tax rates vary by entity type, industry, and location. Consult with local tax advisors for specific requirements. Some countries offer tax incentives for tech companies and foreign investment.
Incorporation Requirements
Incorporation Requirements
Available Entity Types
Private Limited most common, requires 2 directors, registered office
Visa & Mobility
Visa & Mobility
Work Visa Types
Employment visa requires job offer, business visa for short-term work
Startup Ecosystem
Startup Ecosystem
Rapidly growing startup ecosystem, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi hubs, 100+ unicorns
Compare India with Other Countries
See how India stacks up against other expansion markets. Compare salary, tax, hiring difficulty, and more.
Real Cost Analysis
| Role | India Cost | US Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Developer | $12,000-18,000 | $60,000-80,000 | 75-80% |
| Senior Developer | $25,000-40,000 | $120,000-150,000 | 70-75% |
| Technical Support | $8,000-12,000 | $35,000-45,000 | 70-75% |
| Data Analyst | $10,000-20,000 | $65,000-85,000 | 75-80% |
| Project Manager | $20,000-35,000 | $90,000-120,000 | 70-75% |
Note: Costs include base salary only. Add 30-40% for benefits, infrastructure, and management overhead.
Cultural & Business Insights
Working Culture
- •Hierarchical structure is respected but flattening
- •Strong emphasis on education and continuous learning
- •Family-oriented culture affects work-life balance expectations
- •Prefer detailed instructions and clear processes
Business Etiquette
- •Relationship building is important before business
- •"Indian Standard Time" - meetings may start 5-10 min late
- •Indirect communication style - read between the lines
- •Vegetarian food options are essential in offices
Key Success Factors
- Invest in training and career development programs
- Celebrate Indian festivals to boost morale
- Provide transportation or allowances
- Have clear escalation paths and processes
Common Challenges
- ✕High attrition in tech hubs (25-30% annually)
- ✕Infrastructure issues in monsoon season
- ✕Complex regulatory and tax environment
- ✕Time zone challenges for real-time collaboration
How to Outsource to India: Complete Setup Guide
Setup Timeline & Process
Choose Your Model (Week 1)
Decide between: Direct entity setup (4-8 weeks, more control), EOR services (2-4 weeks, faster), or BPO partnership (2-3 weeks, easiest). Compare BPO providers →
Legal Structure Setup (Weeks 2-8)
Register Private Limited company ($100K min. capital), obtain PAN/TAN, register for GST, ESIC, EPF. Hire local counsel (essential). Timeline: 4-8 weeks for incorporation.
Infrastructure & Offices (Weeks 3-6)
Lease office space in tech parks (₹50-150/sq ft/month), set up IT infrastructure, install backup power, arrange employee transport. Budget: $50K-200K initial setup.
Recruitment & Hiring (Weeks 4-8)
Post jobs on Naukri.com, LinkedIn India, engage recruiters. Expect 2-4 weeks per role. Offer letter → Background verification → Onboarding. Notice periods: 30-90 days.
Payroll & Compliance (Ongoing)
Set up payroll (EPF 12%, ESI 3.25%, professional tax). Monthly compliance filings. Annual audits required. Use payroll partner or in-house team.
Launch Operations (Week 8-12)
Train team on processes, systems, culture. Ramp up gradually. Expect 80% productivity in month 1, 100% by month 3. Plan for 20-30% attrition annually.
Three Ways to Outsource to India
1. BPO Partnership (Fastest)
Best for: Customer service, tech support, back office operations. The BPO handles recruitment, infrastructure, compliance, management.
2. EOR Services (Balanced)
Best for: Hiring 5-20 employees, testing market, avoiding entity setup. You recruit, EOR handles contracts, payroll, compliance.
3. Direct Entity (Most Control)
Best for: Long-term commitment (50+ employees), full control needed, IP-sensitive work. You own the entity, employees, processes.
Globalify's Recommendation
Start with BPO or EOR, transition to direct entity at scale. Most companies begin with a BPO partnership (5-20 agents) to validate the model, then either scale with the BPO or establish a direct entity once headcount exceeds 50-100 employees. This minimizes risk while maintaining flexibility.
Complete Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
All-In Costs Per Employee (Annual)
Varies by role, city, experience. Bangalore highest, Tier-2 cities 20-30% lower.
Example: $20K base salary = $26K-28.4K all-in annual cost
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Setup & Incorporation
$5K-15K for legal, registration, compliance setup
One-time cost, required for direct entity only
Recruitment Costs
8-15% of annual salary per hire (recruiters)
Higher for senior roles, tech talent. In-house saves costs.
Attrition & Backfills
25-30% annual turnover in tech hubs
Budget for continuous hiring, knowledge transfer, training
Compliance & Accounting
$1K-5K/month for payroll, tax filings, audits
Varies by headcount. Use local accounting firm.
Currency Fluctuation
INR/USD fluctuates 5-10% annually
Can impact costs significantly. Consider hedging strategies.
Annual Salary Increases
10-15% average annual raises expected
Competitive market. Lower increases = higher attrition.
Management Overhead
1 manager per 8-10 employees typical
Local leadership essential. Budget 30-50% premium for managers.
Festive Bonuses & Gifts
Expected during Diwali, other major festivals
Not mandatory but culturally expected. Budget 1-2 months salary.
Pro Tip: Budget 50% above base salary for all-in costs, then add 20% contingency for hidden costs and surprises in year 1.
Cost Comparison: 20-Employee Team
| Model | Setup Cost | Year 1 Total | Cost Per Employee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPO Partnership | $0-5K | $380K-420K | $19K-21K | Quick start, low risk |
| EOR Services | $2K-10K | $320K-380K | $16K-19K | Balanced, flexible |
| Direct Entity | $100K-200K | $400K-500K | $15K-18K | Full control, scale |
| US-Based Team | $20K-50K | $1.2M-1.6M | $60K-80K | Reference baseline |
Savings: 65-75% compared to US-based teams, even with all hidden costs included.
Calculate Your India CostsFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to outsource to India?
All-in costs range from $8-18/hour for BPO services, or $15,000-40,000 annually per employee for direct hiring (depending on role and city). This includes salary, benefits (EPF, ESI), infrastructure, and overhead. Bangalore is most expensive, Tier-2 cities 20-30% cheaper. Total savings: 65-75% vs US-based teams.
What is the fastest way to start outsourcing to India?
BPO partnership is fastest (2-3 weeks from contract to live operations). The BPO provides infrastructure, recruitment, compliance, and management. Start with 5-20 agents to test, scale as needed. Compare top 20 BPO providers →
Do I need to set up a legal entity in India?
Not initially. Start with a BPO (no entity needed) or EOR service (they're the legal employer). Only establish a Private Limited company if you plan 50+ employees long-term, need full control, or have IP-sensitive work. Entity setup takes 4-8 weeks and costs $100K+ initial investment.
What are the main challenges of outsourcing to India?
Top challenges: High attrition (25-30% annually in tech hubs), complex labor laws varying by state, time zone differences (10.5 hours from US East Coast), cultural communication differences, and managing remote teams. Mitigation: Work with experienced partners, invest in training, offer competitive compensation, build strong culture.
How long does it take to hire employees in India?
Timeline: 2-4 weeks per role (posting → screening → interviews → offer → acceptance). Then add notice period: 30 days (junior roles) to 90 days (senior roles). Total: 6-16 weeks from job post to start date. BPO partnerships are faster (2-3 weeks) with pre-screened talent pools.
Which Indian city is best for outsourcing?
Bangalore: Best tech talent, highest costs ($14-20/hour). Delhi NCR: Massive scale, good for large operations ($12-18/hour). Hyderabad: Growing hub, cost-effective ($11-16/hour).Tier-2 cities (Pune, Chennai, Jaipur): 20-30% cheaper but smaller talent pools. Choose based on your needs: quality vs cost vs scale.
What is the minimum team size for outsourcing to India?
BPO providers typically require 5-50 agent minimums (varies by provider). Direct entity setup makes sense at 50+ employees. EOR services work for even 1 employee. Globalify offers 5-agent minimums for flexibility.See provider minimums →
See Our India Operations in Action
India is a key part of our global delivery network. Explore how we leverage our presence across 8 strategic locations to deliver seamless 24/7 operations for your business.
Ready to Expand to India?
Get instant access to our comprehensive India expansion toolkit and personalized insights based on your company size and timeline.
What You'll Get
- India Market Entry Checklist & Timeline
Step-by-step guide with realistic timelines
- Salary Benchmarking Data for 50+ Roles
Real salary data from our operations
- Legal Entity Setup & Compliance Guide
Navigate India's regulatory landscape
- Vendor Recommendations & Partnerships
Vetted partners we trust and use
- Personalized Expansion Strategy
Customized for your company size & timeline
Why This Matters
India offers 70% cost savings but requires careful planning. Our toolkit helps you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your expansion timeline.
Get Your India Expansion Guide
Download our comprehensive guide and get personalized insights for expanding to India