What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Pune

Relocating to Pune

About Pune

The seventh largest city in India and the second in the state of Maharashtra, Pune is a perfect example of ‘New India’.

With a pleasant climate, moving to Pune is a fair weathered option for relocation. Pune typically has three seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Maximum temperatures in milder seasons can reach around 40°C. Its ancient history holds within it the Pataleshwar caves that date back to the 5th century, and it is nicknamed the ‘Oxford of the East’, as it has become a huge university town.

Pune is a young-minded and vibrant city where a walk along the popular Fergusson Road on a Saturday evening will put you amongst a vigorous, lively crowd, with the most popular commercial street being Mahatma Gandhi Road. Pune is a cosmopolitan city, where Marathi is the most popular language, although Hindi and English are also spoken here. Home to the Marathi film industry, there’s plenty to do and experience including; museums, ancient temples, and the Bund Garden where you can partake in a boat or horse ride.

Visas for India

If you’re relocating to Pune from outside of India, a visa is a must, and it’s important to acknowledge that there is a difference between a business visa, and an employment visa. In the past many foreign nationals living in India have been mistakenly employed on a business visa instead of employment visas; the business visa cannot be extended whilst in India.

Visas can be applied for online and foreign nationals arriving in India on long-term, multiple entry visas should report to the closest Foreigners Regional Registration Officer within 14 days of arrival.

For more information on Indian visas, please refer to the corresponding section of our dedicated article on Moving to India.

Finding Accommodation in Pune

If you’re an expatriate, finding a place to stay at a hotel on a budget can be difficult, as many places do not allow foreigners for under a certain amount of money, although there are still many hotels in the region. Relocating for the long-term comes with a multitude of options as the Pune area has many suburbs. If working from home, a suburb is advisable due to its quieter atmosphere, and proximity to main train stations.

There are many online options for seeking an apartment to rent, such as 99 acres. This is one of India’s best property sites, and can help in the quest for a place to live whilst in Pune. One of the region’s attractions is that, regardless of its location, your neighborhood will never be too far away from the beach.