NRI Account Minimum Balance: Best Banks and Eligibility Criteria

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For handling money generated both inside and outside of India, there are three main categories of NRI accounts: FCNR (Foreign Currency Non-Resident), NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary), and NRE (Non-Resident External).

NRI Account Minimum Balance

The minimum balance requirement for NRI accounts is a common concern for many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). If you’ve ever spent hours searching different bank websites for this one answer, you’re not alone.

Each bank in India—whether it’s HSBC, SBI, HDFC, or others—has its own set of minimum balance policies, making it tricky to find consistent information.

This article is designed to solve that problem for you. We’ll walk you through the NRI account minimum balance requirements across major Indian banks. It will help you ensure that you have a clear understanding of what’s needed to keep your NRI account in good standing.

Who is a NRI?

An Indian national living outside of India for work, business, or any other reason that requires prolonged stays overseas is known as an NRI (Non-Resident Indian). An NRI is someone who has lived outside of India for more than 182 days and less than 365 days in the last four years.

NRIs are entitled to particular banking, investment, and tax incentives in India. They frequently have to handle their money in both India and their home country.

Types of NRI Accounts

NRIs have several types of accounts available to suit their financial needs. Here’s a quick overview of each type —

1. Non-Resident External (NRE) Account	Currency: Maintained in Indian Rupees (INR), but funded with foreign currency converted at prevailing exchange rates. Purpose: Primarily used to deposit income earned abroad. Repatriation: Both principal and interest are fully repatriable (transferable) abroad. Tax Benefits: Interest earned is tax-free in India. Joint Account Holders: You can have other NRIs or a Resident Indian (close relative) as joint holders.
2. Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) Account	Currency: Also maintained in INR, with foreign currency converted at the prevailing exchange rate. Purpose: Ideal for managing income earned in India, like rent, dividends, or pensions. Repatriation: You can repatriate up to USD 1 million per year after taxes. Taxation: Interest earned is subject to TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) in India. Joint Account Holders: Joint accounts with Resident Indians are allowed, with "Former or Survivor" operation mode.
3. Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) Account	Currency: Maintained in foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, JPY, or HKD. Purpose: Best suited for NRIs who want to save and invest in foreign currency, protecting themselves from exchange rate fluctuations. Repatriation: Both principal and interest are fully repatriable. Tax Benefits: Interest is tax-free in India. Risk Mitigation: Insulated from currency rate fluctuations since funds are held in foreign currency.

Each of these accounts serves specific needs and choosing the right type helps you optimise your financial management while living abroad.

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NRI Account Minimum Balance

Here’s a table summarising the NRI account minimum balance at various banks —

1. SBI NRI Account Minimum Balance

Location	Average Monthly Balance
Urban & Metro Areas	Rs. 1,00,000 (AED 4353)*
Semi-Urban & Rural Areas	Rs. 50,000 (AED 2176)*

2. HSBC NRI Account Minimum Balance

NRE/NRO Account	Average Monthly Balance
Savings Account	Rs. 1,50,000 (AED 6,527)*
Current Account	Rs. 1,50,000 (AED 6,527)*

3. HDFC Bank NRI Account Minimum Balance

Area	Average Monthly Balance
Metro & Urban Branches	Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)*
Semi-Urban/Rural Branches	Rs. 5,000 (AED 218)*

4. NRI Account Axis Bank Minimum Balance

Account Type

Average Monthly Balance

Easy Savings Account

Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)* (all locations)

Rs. 12,000 (AED 522)* (Urban & Metro Locations)

Prime Savings Account

Rs. 25,000 (AED 1088)*

5. NRI Account Minimum Balance in ICICI Bank

Account Type	Average Monthly Balance
NRE/NRO Account	Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)*

6. Bank of Baroda NRI Account Minimum Balance

Account Type	Average Monthly Balance
NRI/NRO Account	Rs. 1,000 (AED 44)*

7. IndusInd Bank NRI Account Average Quarterly Balance

Branch Type	Single Account	NRE & NRO Combined Balance
A & B Category Branches	Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)*	Rs. 20,000 (AED 871)*
C & Rural Category Branches	Rs. 5,000 (AED 218)*	Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)*

8. NRI Account Minimum Balance in Kotak Bank

Account Type	Average Monthly Balance
Savings Account	Rs. 10,000 (AED 435)*
Current Account	Rs. 25,000 (AED 1088)*

* INR to AED rates are subject to change.

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Eligibility Criteria to Open NRI Account in India

Usually, the eligibility criteria to open NRI account in India depends on the policies of respective banks. However, there are some specific requirements followed by every financial institution in India.

Here are the following requirements —

Criteria	Description
Employment Status	Must be employed, own a business, or engage in trade in a foreign country
Age Requirement	The applicant must be above 18 years of age
Special Employment	Employed with the Indian Navy, foreign registered airlines, or overseas shipping companies, requiring the individual to stay outside India for 182+ days.
Government Employees	Government employees possessing diplomat passports
Students	Students pursuing education in foreign countries

Documents Required

KYC documents (Originals)
Passport-size photographs
Proof of identity (Indian or Foreign Passport)
Proof of NRI/PIO status (visa, residence permit, OCI/PIO card)
Proof of address (Overseas or Indian)
Signed NRI Account Opening Form
PAN card or Form 60 (if you don’t have PAN)

Benefits of NRI Account You Need to Know

Opening an NRI account in India can offer you several advantages to manage your finances efficiently. Here are the key benefits —

Tax-Free Interest on NRE Accounts: Interest earned on NRE Savings and Fixed Deposit accounts is completely tax-free in India. This makes it an attractive option for NRIs looking to maximise their earnings.
Repatriation Benefits: Both NRE and NRO accounts allow you to repatriate funds (principal and interest) abroad. While NRE funds are fully repatriable, NRO funds are repatriable only after paying the applicable taxes.
Foreign Currency Deposit (FCNR) Option: If you prefer saving in foreign currency, you can open an FCNR deposit. These accounts allow you to earn interest in foreign currency, and the interest is also tax-free in India.
Minimum Balance Requirements: Many banks have lowered their minimum balance requirements for NRI accounts. Typically, you only need to maintain as little as Rs. 1,000 (AED 44)*, making it easier to manage your account.
Convenience and Easy Account Setup: Opening an NRI account is simple and can often be done online without visiting India. Some banks even allow you to convert your existing Resident account to an NRO account through email, making the process hassle-free.

How to Open NRI Account in India?

Opening an NRI account in India is a simple and straightforward process. You can choose between two methods: offline or online.

Here's how you can open your NRE or NRO account with ease —

Offline Method	Online Method
If you're visiting India, you can open your NRI account in person at any branch of the bank. Once you provide the necessary documents, the bank will assist you in setting up the account.	If you're overseas and prefer not to visit the bank in person, you can easily apply online to open the account: On the bank's website, complete the application for opening an NRE or NRO account. A bank representative will walk you through the steps. Existing bank customers should simply self-attest all documents for KYC. If you are not a current customer, your documents must be self-attested and notarised by an authorised authority.

Offline Method

Online Method

If you're visiting India, you can open your NRI account in person at any branch of the bank. Once you provide the necessary documents, the bank will assist you in setting up the account.

If you're overseas and prefer not to visit the bank in person, you can easily apply online to open the account:

On the bank's website, complete the application for opening an NRE or NRO account. A bank representative will walk you through the steps.
Existing bank customers should simply self-attest all documents for KYC.
If you are not a current customer, your documents must be self-attested and notarised by an authorised authority.

Important: Additional documents may be required depending on the specific bank's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some popular banks for NRI accounts in India include ICICI Bank, SBI Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, & HDFC Bank. You can choose the best one based on your NRI account minimum balance requirement, interest rates, or any additional services.

To be eligible for an NRI account, you must be an Indian citizen who has gone abroad for employment, business, or studies or you hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card.

Yes, most Indian banks allow NRIs to open their accounts online. You can fill out the account opening form on the bank’s website, upload the required documents, and complete the KYC process digitally. Some banks may ask for a physical signature, depending on the bank’s process.

To open an NRI account, you typically need a Valid Passport, Visa/Resident Permit, Proof of Overseas Address, and PAN Card (or Form 60 if you don’t have a PAN).

Yes, banks may adjust the NRI account minimum balance requirement based on factors like market conditions, regulatory changes, or internal policies. It's important to stay informed about any updates from your bank.

Yes, an NRI can hold both NRE and NRO accounts to conduct banking transactions in India. An NRE account is for foreign income, while an NRO account is for income earned in India, helping you manage your funds efficiently.

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