Some Practical Information

For applicants from abroad, an Entry Visa for Auroville is a must. It can be obtained through Indian Embassy/Consulate in your home country with a Letter of Recommendation issued by the Auroville Foundation through the Entry Service in Auroville. Under “type of visa” an X or the word Entry is marked. This visa allows a non-Indian to reside in Auroville for one year with the possibility of extending the duration of stay for 3 more years. Indian nationals do not need to obtain an Entry Visa.

Non-Indians:

As soon as possible after arrival, you should go to the Auroville Residents Service (RS) situated in the Town Hall. The RS will prepare the necessary documents for registration with the Regional Registration Office (RRO) based in nearby Puducherry, where you will be registered to reside in Auroville. This registration has to be done within 14 days of arrival in India. Anyone not managing to register in that time will be required to pay a penalty imposed by the RRO.

You also have to fill out an Arrival Form at the Residents Service office within 48 hours of arrival in Auroville, and contact the Entry Service at this time as well.

Indian Citizens:

If you are an Indian citizen, please register with the Entry Service at their office in the Town Hall within one week of your arrival. Only when you have done so can the process of joining Auroville begin.

Both Newcomers and all Aurovilians contribute a fixed monthly amount towards Auroville. These contributions are used to maintain the existing infrastructure of Auroville, including roads, health services, education facilities, Newcomer housing, etc. Additionally, a one-time administration fee contribution is requested from everyone. For foreigners, a financial deposit covering the value of a return ticket to their home country needs to be made at the Financial Service. This deposit will be returned to you should you decide or be requested to leave Auroville, or when going back to your country in order to renew your entry visa.

If someone genuinely cannot afford to make these contributions, the situation will be considered individually. More important than the monetary contribution is one’s contribution through regular and useful work for the community.

Newcomers are expected to maintain themselves and their dependents for at least the year of their Newcomer period. After that, as any other Aurovilian, they are expected to continue maintaining themselves for as long as their financial means allow it. The overall cost of living varies depending on one’s individual needs and lifestyle, but for most people a minimum of Rs.15,000 per person per month is needed to meet the most basic expenses. In addition, useful initial purchases may include a bicycle or motorcycle (up to Rs. 70,000). And then there is the question of housing.

As there is currently a housing shortage in Auroville, it may be difficult for Newcomers, particularly those with families, to find a suitable place to stay. Auroville cannot yet afford to build houses for all those joining, and one should therefore come prepared to live in a temporary home, and if possible to pay for the construction of an apartment or house. Most residences in Auroville are built with contributions made by Auroville residents and Newcomers. There are architects and building units to assist with construction. The location of new/residential projects is finalised in consultation with the group overseeing the development of Auroville. Normally Newcomers can only join a collective Housing project and will not receive building permission for a free-standing house. Meanwhile, there is a very limited number of Newcomer houses/units available to accommodate families or individuals for the time of their Newcomer period.