The NRE-NRO repatriation question: getting your money back home
"How do I get my money out of India?" is the question every NRI eventually asks. The answer depends entirely on which account the money sits in.
From an NRE account, repatriation is unlimited. Principal and interest — both fully repatriable, anytime, no RBI approval needed, no ceiling. Mutual fund redemptions from NRE-linked investments follow the same rule. The money moves freely.
From an NRO account, repatriation is capped at one million US dollars per financial year (April to March). This cap applies to the total — not per transaction. If you repatriate $800,000 in June, you have $200,000 remaining for that year. The amount is net of applicable Indian taxes. You will also need Form 15CA and Form 15CB (a CA certificate) for repatriation from NRO, which adds a compliance step.
The families who plan well invest foreign income through NRE from the beginning, keeping the repatriation path clean. The families who run into trouble are those who accumulated money in NRO — through rental income, FD maturity, inheritance, or investment proceeds — and then discover the repatriation cap when they need to move a large sum.
For inherited money, there is a specific FEMA provision. If an NRI inherits assets in India, the inherited amount can be repatriated from an NRO account — subject to the one-million-dollar annual cap and documentation including the legal heir certificate, death certificate, and CA certificate.
At Dhansanchay, we plan the account structure from day one. For NRI clients with significant India holdings, we map out which assets sit in NRE and which in NRO, project the repatriation timeline, and ensure the family is not surprised by a cap when they need the funds.
This is the kind of boring, structural planning that prevents a crisis three years from now. It is not exciting. But the NRI family that planned it will tell you it was the most valuable conversation they had with their advisor.
If this sounds like your dining-table conversation, you are already halfway to structure. Treat this as a checkpoint on behaviour and systems. Products change; the habit of clarity usually does not.
NRI taxation, FEMA regulations, and DTAA provisions are complex and change frequently. This article reflects our understanding as of April 2026 and is for general education only. It is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified chartered accountant or cross-border tax advisor for guidance specific to your residency status, country of residence, and financial situation.