NRIs remit their earnings to India from their savings abroad but would like to enjoy the flexibility of repatriating the same in case of adversity. With this in view, the government of India has provided for repatriation of funds from the non-resident's forex or rupee funds.

RBI directives with respect to repatriation of funds from India:

The government of India and the RBI has set up certain directives to facilitate NRI repatriation to India.

1. Current Income Repatriation
   
   All income either in the nature of interest, dividends, rent, MFund distribution from any type of deposit, investment or properties is allowed for repatriation net of income tax in India. This includes income earned from business in India by a NRI as proprietor, partner or joint venture entity.
   
   
2. Immovable Property
   
   The sale proceeds of the property is permitted for repatriation as under:
   1. Exempted from RBI permission
      
      
      1. Property held for more than 10 years: NRIs/PIOs are permitted to repatriate the funds held in their NRO A/c up to US$ 100,000 a year where sale proceeds of immovable property held by them for period of not less than 10 years is subject to payment of taxes.
         1. The property was acquired by the seller in accordance with the provisions of foreign exchange law in force at the time of acquisition.
         2. If the property is sold after 3 years of date of Purchase Deed or final payment of Purchase consideration which ever is later. However, the above lock in period of 3 years is not applicable in case of such property sold by NRI/PIO on or after 19.08.2002
         3. Further exemption from RBI permission comes only up to the value of purchase consideration paid in Foreign Exchange.
   2. RBI permission essential
      
      For NRI who had acquired immovable property in India, and who is not eligible under clause I above. Sale proceeds of such immovable property can be repatriated by obtaining special permission of the RBI on the ground of adversity.
      
      
3. Inheritance, Legacy or Bequest
   
   The sale proceeds or realization of assets can be allowed for repatriation only under the following grounds.
   1. Exempted from RBI Permission:
      NRIs/PIOs will be able to remit up to US$100000 per calendar year out of the assets in India acquired by them by way of inheritance/legacies. This has been enhanced to an overall limit (including remittances of proceeds of immovable property held for more than 10 years, remittance for education and medical purposes) of US$ 1 million.
   2. RBI permission essential:
      Besides the clause I seeking exemption from RBI permission and for any other assets, repatriation is allowed only after obtaining special permission of the Reserve Bank India on specific reasons such as adversity and subject to conditions as specified in the permission.
4. Other assets (Without repatriation Rights)
   The sale proceeds or realization of NRI assets is permitted for repatriation as follows:

   - Deposits with Banks/Firms/Companies.
   - P.F/Superannuation Balance
   - Life Insurance Maturity income/claims
   - Sale proceeds from shares & securities
   - Any other assets/Immovable Property
   
   NRI repatriation is allowed only by obtaining special permission of the RBI on the ground of adversity etc. and subject to conditions as specified in the permission.

5. NRIs/PIOs are allowed to repatriate the funds held in their NRO A/c for:
   
   i. education of their children, where they can spend up to USD 30000 per academic year.
   ii. the medical expenses abroad of the account holder or his family members up to USD 100000.

   Although, this individual limit has been enhanced to an overall limit of US$ 1 million, as effective from 13 January 2003 subject to further review by RBI. This can be considered aggregate of remittances of proceeds of immovable property held for more than 10 years, proceeds of inherited property, remittance for education and medical purposes.

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