At a Glance:

• Mumbai is one of the most modern cities in India, as well as one of the safest.
• If you’re moving to Mumbai to work, you’ll probably need a business or employment visa to get into the country.
• Once you move to Mumbai, head to the FRRO to get registered as living in the city.

Moving to Mumbai, you might be about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of your life. Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is widely regarded as India’s second capital, which is not surprising considering it is both India’s financial capital and most populous city, home to around 22 million people. Every year, it attracts thousands of migrants from other regions of India and foreign employees from abroad.

Due to India’s rise as a massive global power, Mumbai is popular among expats and businesses. The Indian economic market is interesting, diverse, and ready for new challenges. Lots of multinational companies are attracted to the potential in Mumbai.

Mumbai: Seven Islands Becoming One

When you depart for Mumbai, you can look forward to living in a vibrant and multicultural city. If you have never been to India before, moving to Mumbai might present less of a challenge compared to moving to other Indian cities. Expats can expect one of the highest living standards in India as well as a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a large international community.

The capital of the Maharashtra state lies on India’s west coast. Originally, the place was a combination of seven individual islands. The ultimate goal of merging the seven islands was achieved in around 1840. After this point, the local economy began to experience constant growth. About a decade later, the arrival of the passenger railway not only increased the city’s economic potential, but also brought in never-ending streams of people moving to Mumbai from other parts of the country.

Today, most people move to Mumbai for economic reasons. Despite the initial culture shock that most foreign residents experience, language is the one thing expats moving to Mumbai need not worry about. Among the many languages spoken on the streets, e.g. Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati, English is one of the most common. Within international companies, business networks, higher education, and in medical capacities, English is widely used.

The tropical climate, on the other hand, is often seen as one of the negative aspects of life in Mumbai due to its infamous distinctly wet and dry seasons. Temperatures rarely drop below 20°C and often exceed 30°C. During the Monsoon season from June to September, expatriates moving to Mumbai should be prepared for heavy rainfall, humidity, and potential disruptions to transportation.

Relatively Safe but Expats Are on Constant Alert

Mumbai is considered a comparatively safe place to live in India. During the past two decades, however, it has increasingly become the scene of religious tensions and a target of terrorist attacks. For example, the horrible 2008 attacks left over 170 people dead and 300 victims wounded. In 2011, three coordinated explosions killed another 26 victims and injured 130 others.

While there are no official warnings, foreigners in Mumbai are generally made aware of this potential threat by the Foreign Office of their respective home countries. Expats are advised to stay alert when visiting public places that attract large numbers of people, such as markets, festivals, and sports events, or venues which are frequented by foreigners, such as hotels or embassies.

Please keep in touch with your general consulate in Mumbai for up-to-date safety advice.

Vaccinations: The List Is Endless

As in most tropical climates, common health risks for Mumbai residents include vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya (another tropical fever). Precautions against mosquito bites should always be taken, for example, wearing a strong repellent. Expats planning to stay in Mumbai for an extended period of time might want to consider taking anti-malarial drugs as a precautionary measure.

Additional immunizations for hepatitis (type A and B), typhoid fever, meningitis, pneumococci, and rabies are also recommended. You should refresh all standard vaccinations, such as tetanus, polio, diphtheria, MMR, pertussis, and influenza, too. The existing risk of cholera infections and diarrhea can be avoided by being careful what you eat; stick to fresh rather than frozen food and avoid dairy as much as possible.

Though there is no risk of yellow fever in India, people entering the country from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission require a vaccination certificate. India has also been identified as having a risk of Zika virus transmission, so pregnant women should seek advice before moving.

Expats planning to move to Mumbai should visit a doctor around six weeks before leaving their home country to ensure they have all the necessary vaccinations. Always take out an insurance policy with an international health insurance provider before moving to Mumbai. Private health insurance is definitely the most secure option for expats moving to India.