NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) managing income earned in India and abroad may benefit from having two different types of bank accounts in India, an NRE (Non-Resident External) account and an NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account. Both NRE and NRO accounts may be opened in the form of savings, current, recurring, or fixed deposit accounts, and depending on your banking needs, one or both may help you more easily manage foreign and Indian-earned incomes.
The NRE account is an Indian Rupee denominated account, which is freely repairable. This form of NRI account can be in the form of savings, current, recurring or fixed deposits. The income is deemed to be earned outside India. Indian Rupees cannot be deposited into this account, only foreign currency can be deposited which will be converted into Indian Rupee at the time of deposit. The interest earned on the balances at the end of quarter is free from any income tax. However, the NRI can send his remittances from abroad into this type of account. The bank pays interest on the balance at their own determined rates.
To find the best NRE Account for you, compare the best NRE Accounts in our NRE Account Comparison Section.
An NRO account is a savings or current account held in India that helps NRIs manage income earned in India such as rent, dividends, or pension from abroad. The account holder can deposit and manage accumulated rupee funds conveniently through an NRO account. Foreign currency deposited into the NRO account is converted into Indian Rupees. Any NRI can open an NRO account.
For a comparison of the best NRO Accounts, check our NRO Account Comparison Section and find the best NRO Account for you.
NRIs may also convert their existing resident savings account into an NRO account when their status changes from resident to non-resident. A minimum amount of Rs.10,000 must be maintained in an NRO account on a daily basis. Any repatriation done through this account should be reported to RBI.
The differences between NRE and NRO accounts are outlined below in the following account features.
Choosing the right account depends on examining your and your family’s financial needs. If you foresee the need to repatriate more than a million dollars or if you want to maintain savings in INR then an NRE account may be the better option. If you want to keep India-based earnings in INR, then opt for an NRO account. With both NRE and NRO accounts, managing your funds as an NRI is made much more convenient and secure.