For many Indian students, studying abroad is their ideal opportunity, but as every coin has two sides, there are certain drawbacks.
The most notable drawback is figuring out how to handle funds while living overseas.
Considering the stark differences in the currency, banking, and other financial elements, it becomes crucial to be thorough with the financial management process.
Opening an NRI account is the solution if you're a student residing overseas and need a trustworthy means to handle your money.
In this blog post, we'll examine NRI account benefits and how this account can help Indian students studying abroad manage their money.
Understanding NRI Account
Who is it for?
Indian banks offer NRI accounts to
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
These accounts might be NRE (Non-Residential External) or NRO (Non-Residential Ordinary), each with a distinct function.
Know the NRI Account Benefits
Quick and Seamless
The most significant NRI account benefit is how simple it is to transfer money. An NRI account guarantees a seamless transaction process, regardless of the source of funds—your part-time earnings abroad or your family's savings in India.
For example, the NRE account makes transferring revenue earned overseas back to India easier. This can assist Indian students in providing their Indian relatives with their overseas part-time earnings.
Competitive Exchange Rates
Platforms like Vance offer NRI banking services at competitive exchange rates for these transfers to ensure you get the most out of your money. Currency conversion rates significantly impact the money you send or receive.
Benefit of Tax
Because the interest received on the funds is tax-free in India, especially the NRE account provides tax benefits. Financially, this function may be advantageous, particularly if you intend to invest or save some of your money.
Helps with Student Loan
Many financial institutions offer student loans at preferential rates to NRI account holders. By linking your NRI account to a student loan, you can benefit from lower interest rates and flexible repayment options, making it easier to finance your education abroad.
Easy withdrawal and Account Opening Process
It doesn't take much for students to open an NRI account. They can begin with a monthly minimum account balance of just ₹5000. An international ATM-cum-debit card is another option offered to the NRI account holder. Students can now easily withdraw cash or make purchases.
Budgeting & Saving
NRI account streamlines budget management with features like automatic payments for recurring expenses, savings goal setups, and notifications for account activities, keeping you financially organized and in control.
The Documents needed to Open a Student NRI account
A Student NRI account must be opened with the help of a few documents.
Actually, depending on where the application is being made, these documents may change.
When a student applies to open an account at a bank branch in India or overseas, they need to provide
- photocopies of the required passport pages
- residence verification
- a copy of their admissions letter or university identity card
- a valid student visa.
Students from outside India who want to register an account, however, need to provide a few more documents.
In addition to the documents listed above, further evidence and funding documents are needed in accordance with particular bank rules.
The applicant must attest all documents personally and through an embassy or consulate official, a bank, or a notary.
NRI students can simply open an NRE account and use all of the features after completing the required paperwork.
Thinking of an NRI Account with Innumerable Benefits? Think Vance NRI Account
How Can an NRI Account Be Opened?
Most banks have made opening these accounts incredibly easy by offering online platforms.
For example, opening an online NRI account is hassle-free with the Vance NRI Account Opening service.
Also, you get personalized assistance for all your banking needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, managing your funds doesn't have to be difficult, even though studying abroad might be a difficult experience.
Indian students can feel secure in knowing they can effectively manage their finances, from making transfers to taking advantage of tax benefits, with an NRI account.
Therefore, let your NRI account take care of your money concerns as you concentrate on your education and go through this exciting phase of your life.
FAQs
Q1. What is an NRI account and who is eligible to open one?
An NRI (Non-Resident Indian) account is a bank account opened in India for an Indian citizen residing abroad. It is available in forms such as Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) account, Non-Resident External (NRE) account, and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account. Indian citizens who live overseas for employment, business, or vocation or who stay abroad under the circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain stay abroad are eligible to open NRI accounts.
Q2. How does an NRI account facilitate managing finances for Indian students abroad?
An NRI account helps Indian students manage their finances efficiently by facilitating easy and quick transfers between their home country and the country of study, offering competitive exchange rates, and providing easy access to funds for emergencies and daily expenses.
Q3. Are there any investment opportunities for students through NRI accounts?
Students with NRI accounts can invest in various financial instruments in India, such as fixed deposits, mutual funds, and equities. These investments are generally secure and offer higher returns compared to similar products in many foreign countries, thereby aiding in wealth accumulation and financial security.
Q4. What are the tax benefits associated with NRI accounts?
Tax savings are one of the most crucial NRI account benefits. Income earned in NRI accounts like NRE and FCNR is tax-free in India, and the principal and interest are fully repatriable. This means no tax is levied on the interest earned, and the money (including the principal amount) can be moved back to the student’s country of residence without any restrictions.
Q5. Can NRI accounts be used to receive student loans and scholarships?
Yes, NRI accounts can be used to receive funds from student loans and scholarships. Many Indian banks offer educational loans to NRI students at competitive interest rates, which can be disbursed directly into their NRI accounts. Scholarships awarded by Indian or foreign institutions can also be deposited into these accounts, making it easier to manage funds.
