NRI Foreign Currency Accounts

  1. Can accounts be maintained by NRIs in foreign currencies?
  2. What are the foreign currencies in which such accounts can be maintained?
  3. Are FCNR accounts permitted to be maintained in the form of current/savings accounts?
  4. What is the maximum period of maturity for a FCNR term deposit account?
  5. Is premature withdrawal of the FCNR term deposit allowed?
  6. What is the penalty for premature withdrawal of a FCNR deposit?
  7. If a FCNR deposit of 6 months maturity is withdrawn prematurely , would any interest be payable?
  8. Are the interest rates on FCNR deposits liable for periodical revision?
  9. What about debits to FCNR accounts for local payments?
  10. Are funds in FCNR accounts freely repatriable abroad?
  11. Can FCNR deposits be held jointly with residents?
  12. Is nomination allowed in FCNR accounts?
  13. Is repatriation of FCNR funds to non-resident nominees permitted?
  14. What is the status of FCNR accounts on the return of the account holder to India?

Ans.I

Yes. Accounts in foreign currencies (FCNR accounts) can be maintained by NRIs with authorized dealers in India.

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Ans.II

FCNR Accounts permitted to be maintained in Pound Sterling, U.S. Dollar, Deutshe Mark and Japanese Yen.

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Ans.III

NO. FCNR accounts can be maintained only in the form of term deposits,l i.e. a deepest kept for fixed period ranging from 6 months to 3 years.

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Ans.IV

The maximum period of maturity is three years.

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Ans.V

Yes. However, this is subject to the levy of a penalty.

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Ans.VI

Interest in such cases is paid at one per cent below the interest rate payable for the period for which the deposit is, however, payable only if they are kept for a minimum period of six months.

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Ans.VII

No. While the premature withdrawal would be allowed, no interest would be payable. For such premature withdrawals the bank may levy penalty as per their discretion.

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Ans.VIII

Yes. The Banks have been permitted to offer interest on such deposits at rates not more than the LIBOR prevailing on the last working day of the previous week for the relevant maturity and currency. Subject to this guideline, banks can offer either fixed or floating rate of interest on such deposits.

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Ans.IX

Debits for local payments in rupees are allowed freely. As regards debits for investments in India, please see Chapters III and IV.

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Ans.X

Yes. Authorized dealers maintaining these accounts would allow repatriation abroad of these funds.

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Ans.XI

No.

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Ans.XII

Yes

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Ans.XIII

Yes. (Also see Answer to Q.26 for repatriation of funds in NRE account)

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Ans.XIV

Banks would treat the deposits held in FCNR accounts as resident deposits but would continue to pay interest at the contracted rate till maturity of the deposit.

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