Repatriating money from India: the USD 1 million NRO route, step by step

How an NRI moves up to USD 1M a year out of an NRO account — the 15CA/15CB path, the documents, and the common rejections.

An NRI with money in an Indian NRO account can remit up to USD 1 million per financial year abroad — but only with the right tax certification and source documentation.

The limit and who it applies to

The USD 1 million scheme lets a non-resident repatriate up to that amount per financial year from NRO balances — property-sale proceeds, rent, dividends, inheritances and other current and capital receipts — over and above current-income remittances. The limit is per individual, per year.

The 15CA / 15CB path

Each remittance generally needs Form 15CB (a CA's certificate that the income has been taxed or withheld correctly) and Form 15CA filed online. The bank releases funds against these. This is where most delays happen — incomplete tax proof.

Source-of-funds and compliance proof

You will need to evidence the source — the property sale deed and capital-gains computation, the inheritance documents, or the dividend record — and that applicable Indian tax has been paid or withheld. Clean documentation is the difference between a same-week remittance and a months-long back-and-forth.

When RBI approval is needed

Within the USD 1M limit and permissible categories, no separate RBI approval is generally required. Above the limit, or for certain categories, prior RBI approval applies.

How Advisory Monks Consulting helps

Our Pravasi Desk certifies 15CB, files 15CA, assembles the source-of-funds file, and coordinates with your bank so the USD 1M moves cleanly.

General information, not advice.