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Looking to send money abroad? Know about outward remittances
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Options for transferring funds from India to overseas
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Type of accounts you can use for transferring money as an NRI
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FAQ’s on taxation, documentation and processes relating to outward remittances
The below content is purely for informational purposes and is not intended to constitute advisory of any kind. The position reflected in this article has been updated as of November 15, 2023.
Whether you are a Resident Indian (RI) sending money to your family residing abroad, or a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) seeking to repatriate funds earned in India to your country of residence, you must comply with the prevailing Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations and rules made thereunder.
You can make remittances across different countries and different banks. The funds are electronically debited from your account and credited to the recipient's account.
For such transfers, typically you need the recipient's bank account details, including the account number, bank name and branch, branch code, name, address and contact information of both sender and receiver, SWIFT code, etc. It is recommended to check with your bank for detailed information on such transfers.
Transfer money from India to overseas as an NRI
You may be looking for convenient modes to send money from India to your overseas country of residence. In order to repatriate money, you can utilise:
Non-Resident External (NRE) account
Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account
Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR (B)) account
For NRO accounts, there is no limit on repatriation of current income (i.e., rent, interest, dividends, professional fees, and pension). You can repatriate capital income (i.e., proceeds from maturity of Fixed Deposit (FD), sale of property, redemption of mutual funds, shares, etc.) to a maximum of USD 1 million per Financial Year (April-March) cumulatively from all your NRO accounts held in India.
There is no limit on the amount of funds you can repatriate from your NRE or FCNR (B) accounts.
ICICI Bank customers can remit funds overseas through digital mode such as Retail Internet Banking (RIB) or iMobile Pay App, the bank’s mobile banking platform besides making requests at any of the ICICI Bank branches in India and select geographies overseas. .
Did you know?
NRIs can transfer upto USD 1 million from their NRO account to NRE account per Financial Year (April-March)
Transfer money overseas as a resident Indian
Are you an Indian resident and have your children studying abroad? or do you frequently send funds to your family overseas?
Under the prevailing Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) regulations, you can remit funds overseas up to USD 250,000 per Financial Year. There are multiple ways to send money from India to abroad, that have streamlined the process, making it intuitive and faster.
- Remittance platforms
- Owned by banks: Various banks provide digital platforms that allow you to transfer funds across geographies and different banks. ICICI Bank offers Money2World, which facilitates easy and secure money transfers online. It is also available on ‘iMobile Pay’ app.
- Non-banking money transfer platforms: Authorised money transfer companies that includes large fintechs, non-banking forex companies, enable wire transfers to and from India. These companies may have physical locations, or online platforms where you can provide the necessary details to complete the transaction
- Cross Border Unified Payments Interface (UPI): The international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), has now developed the capability to send money overseas using cross-border UPI. This service is already available in the India-Singapore corridor and is being extended to other countries as well.
Resident Indians are liable to pay taxes (tax collected at source) when they make a foreign outward remittance depending upon the remittance amount and purpose for which they are sending money abroad. Read more on the applicability of taxes in the FAQs section below or reach out to your tax advisor.
Did you know?
Under LRS, international debit cards can be used by a resident individual for drawing cash or making payments to merchants overseas during his/her visit abroad for permissible current account transactions within the limit of USD 250,000 per year.
Funds transferred under LRS are allowed for various purposes, including foreign travel, education expenses, investment in foreign assets and more, within the specified limit. Additionally, for any outward remittance transaction there is an exchange rate conversion and/or transaction fee involved depending upon the chosen transfer method (e.g., branch, online remittance channel). These fees fall within the specified limit of USD 250,000 set under LRS.
Explore the permitted purpose of remittance under LRS.
Please note, tables are best viewed on desktops and in landscape mode on mobile phones.
Studies abroad |
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Maintenance of relatives |
You can send money to your close relatives such as brother (or stepbrother), daughter, son-in-law, father (or stepfather), mother (or stepmother), member of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), sister, son (or stepson), daughter-in-law and spouse. |
Travel |
You can transfer money, for the following travelling expenses:
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Gifting |
Money sent as a gift to your family and friends abroad. |
Transfer to your own account |
You can deposit funds to your own bank account abroad. |
Others |
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Which purposes are prohibited under LRS?
Purchasing lottery tickets/sweepstakes or banned magazines.
Sending remittances from India for margins or margin calls to overseas exchanges or counterparties.
Purchasing Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) issued by Indian companies in the overseas secondary market.
Foreign exchange trading abroad.
Capital account remittances, directly or indirectly, to countries identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as non-cooperative countries and territories.
Remittances, directly or indirectly, to individuals and entities identified as significant risks for committing acts of terrorism, as advised separately by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Gifting by a resident to another resident in foreign currency for the credit of the latter's foreign currency account held abroad under LRS.
Conclusion
With the availability of various banking and non-banking platforms, it has become easier than ever for you to transfer funds across borders. You may need to understand the timeframe, exchange rates and fees applicable on each platform to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transaction suited to your needs. You may want to consult your bank or service provider in India for specific guidelines and recommendations regarding international money transfers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on Foreign Outward Remittance mean?
The Finance Act, 2020, amended Section 206C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and introduced TCS on foreign remittance under LRS subject to the applicable threshold limit. This tax is meant to track and regulate foreign outward remittances and ensure that appropriate taxes are paid on such transactions. The TCS rate may vary depending on the nature of the remittance and the total amount being transferred. It is important for individuals to comply with these regulations when making outward remittances. TCS is applicable at Permanent Account Number (PAN) level. Any TCS paid can be used to offset your tax liability in India at the time of filing return.
Anil, a resident as per FEMA, sends money regularly to his child studying in the United States to support her. He wants to understand how TCS works on outward remittances.
Under LRS, TCS is exempted up to a limit of ₹7 lakh per Financial Year (April–March) per person through all modes of payment regardless of the purpose of remittance except for overseas tour package. The TCS collected on foreign outward remittance can be claimed as a credit while filing the income tax return in India. Beyond this threshold, TCS rates will vary depending on the purpose of payment, as tabulated below:
Please note, tables are best viewed on desktops and in landscape mode on mobile phones
Purpose |
Rate of TCS* |
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Education financed by loan from financial institution |
0.5% of the aggregate of the amounts more than ₹7 lakh in a Financial Year |
Education not financed by loan |
5% of the aggregate of the amounts more than ₹7 lakh in a Financial Year |
Medical treatment |
5% of the aggregate of the amounts more than ₹7 lakh in a Financial Year |
Purchase of overseas tour programme package |
In a Financial Year 5% of the aggregate of the amounts till ₹7 lakh and 20% of the aggregate of the amounts in excess of ₹7 lakh |
Any other purpose: (other than specified above) |
20% of the aggregate of the amounts more than ₹7 lakh in a Financial Year |
*TCS rates are applicable effective October 1, 2023, basis the Finance Act, 2023.
Difference between TCS and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for NRIs?
As per the Section 206C, the Income Tax Act, 1961, was amended and introduced TCS on foreign outward remittance by residents (as per FEMA) under LRS are subject to the applicable threshold limit.
TDS refers to the tax amount that is deducted from the income by the payer and is directly deposited to the Income Tax department on the receiver’s behalf. This mechanism ensures that the NRI's tax liability is fulfilled and facilitates an easy adjustment of the tax amount during the filing of their income tax return.
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Disclaimer:
The contents of this article/infographic are meant solely for informational purposes. The contents are generic in nature and are not intended to serve as a substitute for specific advice on any matter whatsoever. The information is subject to updation, completion and verification and the applicable norms may keep changing materially from time to time. This information is also not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to applicable laws or would subject ICICI Bank Limited/its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. ICICI Bank Limited/its affiliates and their representatives shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or liability incurred arising in connection with any decision taken by any person on the basis of this content. Please conduct your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any decision. Terms and conditions of ICICI Bank and third parties apply. ICICI Bank is not responsible for third party services. Nothing contained herein shall constitute or be deemed to constitute an advice, invitation or solicitation to avail any products/ services of third parties.
