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How to open an NRI account online

It’s become much easier for NRIs to open accounts and access NRI banking services online. So when should you open your account and how do you choose the right one?

Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin living and employed outside of India for more than 182 days a year are classed as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). If you're an NRI earning an income in a different currency, you can maintain foreign currency or rupee accounts in India. 

It can be challenging to manage your finances while living overseas. Because of this, most banks offer NRI accounts. These will enable you to take care of your money in India from wherever you are in the world. 

Depending on your needs, you may want to open one of the following accounts:

When to open your NRI account

You should inform your bank as soon as you obtain NRI status – Non-Resident Indians cannot operate a regular savings account in India. A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) is permitted to open an NRI account with proof of Indian origin or an overseas visa. Your bank can help you either close down or convert your regular savings account to an NRO account, or open a new NRI account. Failure to do so within a reasonable amount of time can result in penalties.

Let's look at the different types of accounts for non-residents Indians:

Compare the different NRI accounts

NRE account

This account is used by NRIs to deposit their overseas earnings. NRE accounts are held in Indian rupees and can be funded with overseas remittances or transfers from other NRE accounts held in India. The amount deposited in NRE accounts can be freely transferred outside India without any limits. The interest earned is also tax-exempt, provided the account holder either:

  1. qualifies as a 'person resident outside India' under the exchange control law
  2. has been permitted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

NRO account

Like NRE accounts, NRO accounts are also opened in Indian rupees. But unlike NRE accounts, NRO account holders can receive money from investments or income sources within India in Indian rupees. 

Rent income, dividends, interest and pensions are just some of the funds that require a bank account for deposit. 

The balance in NRO accounts is not freely repatriable. Funds can be transferred outside India only within specified limits under the FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) Regulations. Interest earned on the NRO account is liable for taxation in India as per the Indian income tax laws. 

Mariner's account

A mariner's account is specially designed with the needs of seafarers in mind. Account holders can add their family members as power of attorney to the account to manage the account and finances. They can also enjoy features such as higher transaction limits on their debit card, preferential foreign exchange rates, zero charges for ATM usage abroad (only for HSBC Premier customers) and many more.

FCNR account

This is a fixed deposit account denominated in foreign currencies, such as the US dollar, Canadian dollar, euro, Japanese yen and pound sterling. FCNR accounts, like NRE accounts, are freely repatriable and tax free in India. It’s not possible to deposit funds generated in India into an FCNR account.

This account might be good for you if you want to maintain your overseas savings, NRE or FCNR account balances in foreign currency even after you return to India. These funds can be converted to rupees later when the exchange is favourable.

What you'll need to open an NRI bank account

NRI accounts are only available to non-resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin. This includes spouses of Indian citizens and any individual whose parents or grandparents were resident in undivided India. 

If you have your documents ready, you can open an NRI sole, joint or minor Personal Banking account online in just a few steps. You may be asked to provide:

  • a valid passport
  • proof of address
  • proof of Indian origin or your overseas visa for every applicant

There may be other requirements, depending on the account you wish to open. See what you'll need to open an HSBC Premier account.

Open an HSBC NRI account through the HSBC India mobile app

Applying for a personal account in India as a non-resident

Follow these steps to open an NRI account online through the HSBC India website.

Steps to opening an NRI account online

We've outlined 5 steps to opening an NRI account through HSBC:

  1. Visit HSBC India online at www.hsbc.co.in.
  2. Select the 'NRI services' tab. You'll have the option to apply for NRE, NRO or Mariner’s account services.
  3. Select 'Apply now'. This will redirect you to either a digital account opening journey or Contact Form page. There, you can provide your contact details, preferred branch and when you'd like to be contacted for the account opening.
  4. We'll arrange a callback to help you open an account. We may ask you to visit an HSBC branch near you if we need additional documents.
  5. You'll need to add funds to the NRI account, either through another NRO account or any other regular bank account. However, only an inward remittance from outside India can be used for funding an NRE account. Alternatively, you can transfer funds from another NRE or FCNR account.

You can now use your NRI bank account to make transfers within India. When using NRO accounts, there may be some restrictions for transfers outside India.

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Important

Note: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. You may consult professionals for specific guidance for the applicable Income Tax rules and FEMA Regulations, as these are subject to changes.
 

 

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