RBI Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions Explained | DBS Bank (2024)

All you need to know about RBI guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions.

Key Takeaways

  • RBI allow remittance of up to USD 25,000 per calendar year.
  • You can remit in foreign currency for an RBI-approved purpose.
  • You can buy FOREX up to USD 25,000 only.
  • If you bring FOREX beyond a specified limit to India, you must declare it.
  • You may keep a maximum of USD 2,000 (or equivalent) in cash notes or Traveller’s Cheques.

Whether you wish to travel abroad or make international money transfers, you may need foreign currencies from time to time. In India, the foreign exchange (Forex) transactions are governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) via the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). As someone with access to foreign currency, you should know RBI guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions. Read on.

RBI Guidelines for Outward Remittance

For outward remittance transfers conducted by resident individuals, the FEMA guidelines are listed under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS).

Maximum Limit

According to the LRS, a Person Resident in India can transfer funds up to the LRS limit of USD 25,000 per calendar year for any permissible current or capital account transactions or a combination of both.

Approved Institutions

RBI approves two kinds of institutions, or authorised persons, which can facilitate sending of money abroad:

  1. AD Banks (Authorised Dealer – I)
  2. Money changers having AD-II category licence (Authorised Dealer – II).

Mandatory Requirements

For successful FOREX transactions undertaken per RBI guidelines for foreign exchange transactions, you must comply with RBI requirements. You should send funds according to RBI-approved purposes and submit the Know Your Customer (KYC) documents.

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RBI Rules on Currency Exchange

  • You must submit the required KYC documents while buying foreign currency.
  • You may purchase the forex only up to 60 days before the travel as mentioned on your air ticket.
  • You can only buy forex of up to USD 25,000, or its equivalent in any currency. Of this amount, you may purchase cash of up to USD 2,000 and carry the remaining money on a FOREX card or via travellers’ cheques for the trip.
  • You can make cash or online payments, with the total transaction value not exceeding Rs 50,000.

RBI Rules to Sell Foreign Currency

Per the RBI guidelines for Foreign Exchange transactions, you may sell forex if you follow these rules.

  • You must submit the required KYC documents for selling foreign currency.
  • Within 180 days of returning to India, you must surrender unspent forex kept in cash and traveller’s cheques. You can only keep foreign exchange up to USD 2,000, or its equivalent in other currencies, in foreign currency notes or travellers’ cheques.
  • You can bring back any amount of forex to India. However, if you have currency notes of more than USD 5,000, or currency notes and travellers’ cheques more than USD 10,000, you must declare the same through a Currency Declaration Form (CDF).
  • After selling the foreign currency, if you receive less than INR 50,000, the bank or money changer can transfer the money as cash, cheque, or via online transfer to your bank account (NEFT). If it exceeds this amount, then you can only receive the money through NEFT/RTGS.

International Fund Transfers withDBS Bank

With DBS Bank, you can easily and conveniently transfer money abroad. Utilise our remittance and international money transfer options and conduct online transactions via the DBS Bank website and app! Remember to follow RBI Guidelines for Outward Remittance while transferring funds.

Download digibank by DBS to experience the seamless process of sending and receiving money from abroad and even open your savings account with us.

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*Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. We recommend you get in touch with your income tax advisor or CA for expert advice.

RBI Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions Explained | DBS Bank (2024)

FAQs

RBI Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions Explained | DBS Bank? ›

You can remit in foreign currency for an RBI-approved purpose. You can buy FOREX up to USD 25,000 only. If you bring FOREX beyond a specified limit to India, you must declare it. You may keep a maximum of USD 2,000 (or equivalent) in cash notes or Traveller's Cheques.

What are the RBI rules for foreign currency? ›

Documents to be submitted:
  • Passport.
  • PAN.
  • Address proof such as: Telephone bill/ bank account statement/ letter from recognized public authority/ electricity bill/ ration card/ Letter from employer.
  • Copy of Ticket.
  • Visa if applicable.
  • Self declaration cum undertaking form.

What are the rules for bank transactions in RBI? ›

The extant RBI guidelines on the subject are as under : (i) Banks are required to issue travellers cheques, demand drafts, mail transfers, and telegraphic transfers for Rs. 50,000 and above only by debit to customers' accounts or against cheques and not against cash (Circular DBOD.

What are the rules for foreign currency exchange in India? ›

Indian banks:

The RBI regulated banks are legally permitted to buy or sell foreign currencies. You are eligible to exchange Foreign Currency only If you have an NRO Account, with any Indian bank. If you have an NRO Account with ICICI Bank, you can easily get the Foreign Exchange in India.

What is the regulation of foreign exchange transaction? ›

These regulations in India are governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act ('FEMA') and the Regulations thereunder. The apex body on these matters in India is the Reserve Bank of India ('RBI') which regulates the law and is responsible for all key approvals.

What is the limit of foreign transaction in India? ›

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set a financial year limit of $2,50,000 (INR2. 04L) for foreign remittances, which applies to both personal and international business- payments. If the remittance amount exceeds this limit, prior permission from the RBI is necessary.

Can a bank hold foreign currency? ›

A multicurrency account is typically an account at a bank or financial tech firm that lets you spend, receive and hold multiple currencies. It can work like an international checking account with multiple subaccounts, each with a different currency.

What are RBI guidelines of RBI for payment banks? ›

Operating Guidelines for Payments Banks
Minimum Capital Requirement15%
Minimum Tier I capital7.5%
Tier 2 capital7.5%
Capital Conservation BufferNot Applicable
Counter-cyclical capital bufferNot applicable
3 more rows
Oct 6, 2016

What is the 60 40 rule of RBI? ›

“In respect of borrowers having aggregate fund based working capital limit of ₹ 150 crore and above from the banking system, a minimum level of 'loan component' of 40% shall be effective from April 1, 2019," RBI said, adding that the component will increase to 60% from 1 July.

What are the RBI guidelines for unknown transaction? ›

Within 4-7 days: If you register your complaint after 3 days and between 7 days of the fraudulent transaction, then you will have to bear the limited liability of INR 5,000 to INR 25,000, whichever is lower. After deducting the lowest amount, the rest of it will be returned to you.

Can I deposit foreign currency in my bank in India? ›

A non-resident who is an OCI or NRI can open a foreign currency non-resident account in India. The Foreign Currency Non-Resident account is only allowed to be a term deposit, versus a savings or current account for residents. The term deposit is required to be a minimum of 1 year and have a maximum time of 5 years.

What is a foreign exchange transaction? ›

Foreign exchange option transaction refers to the buying and selling of a right. After paying a certain amount of option fees, the buyer has a right to exchange a particular currency at the agreed rate on a pre-determined settlement date in the future.

How much USD cash can I carry from India to the USA? ›

For travellers from India to the United States, the legal limit for liquid cash is set at USD 3,000 per person per trip. Amount greater than this can be carried in the form of travellers' cheque, Forex Card or bank transfers.

How does RBI control foreign exchange in India? ›

The Reserve Bank's exchange rate policy focusses on ensuring orderly conditions in the foreign exchange market. For the purpose, it closely monitors the developments in the financial markets at home and abroad. When necessary, it intervenes in the market by buying or selling foreign currencies.

Who controls the foreign exchange transactions? ›

Main Features of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA Act) It gives powers to the Central Government to regulate the flow of payments to and from a person situated outside the country. All financial transactions concerning foreign securities or exchange cannot be carried out without the approval of FEMA.

What are examples of foreign exchange transactions? ›

Example of Forex Transactions

The trader buys the EUR/USD at 1.2500 and purchases $5,000 worth of currency. Later that day the price has increased to 1.2550. The trader is up $25 (5000 * 0.0050). If the price dropped to 1.2430, the trader would be losing $35 (5000 * 0.0070).

What is the permissible limit of foreign currency? ›

Maximum Limit

In accordance with the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, all Indian residents are allowed to remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year (April – March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.

Is it legal to carry foreign currency in India? ›

No, it is not illegal to keep foreign currency in India. However, there are certain limits and restrictions on how much foreign currency you can keep and how you can use it. Residents of India can keep up to USD 2,000 (or equivalent) in cash notes or traveler's cheques.

What is the maximum amount of foreign currency allowed to be brought into India in cash by declaring through currency declaration form on arrival in India? ›

An NRI coming into India from abroad can bring with him foreign exchange without any limit provided if foreign currency notes, travellers cheques, Forexplus Card exceed US$ 10,000/ - or its equivalent and/or the value of foreign currency exceeds US$ 5,000/- or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs ...

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