How to Transfer Money from Canada to India
Canada to India Guide
Summary
Canada and India have a strong and long-standing bilateral relationship, particularly in the realms of education, food, energy, infrastructure, technology and science. The Indian expat community is the largest expat community in Canada. There are no currency controls to transfer money from Canada to India.
Visas and immigration
India is Canada’s third largest source of immigrants and the number of Indian nationals living in Canada continues to grow. It is estimated that there are more than one million people that currently make up Canada’s Indian expat community. There is also a significant number of Canadians in India, the majority of which are comprised of those who are of Indian descent.
Canadian nationals require a visa to visit India. Travellers must apply for this before leaving Canada. It is not difficult to obtain an Indian visa but it is important to consider that there are about 13 different categories from which you will have to make a selection. There are specific visas for journalists, medical professionals, tourists, business people and those who want to work while in India.
Business visas are granted for either six months or twelve month periods. This type of visa is intended for business people who are setting up business partnerships or establishing branches of Canadian businesses in India. Applicants will be required to present letters of acknowledgement from both the Canadian company and any partnering Indian company. They do not entitle anyone to work for an Indian company while in the country. On the other hand, employment visas are necessary if you will be employed by a local Indian company. You will require a letter of sponsorship from the company in order for this type of visa to be processed.
Applications must be made to the Indian Consulate closest to you. Fees vary according to the type of visa.
Trade between Canada and India
Several agreements between the governments of Canada and India are aimed at increasing bilateral trade annually to $15 billion by 2015. Statistics Canada reports reveal that trade in goods between India and Canada amounted to approximately CAD $5.2 billion in 2010. In 2011, exports from Canada to India totaled $2.6 billion while imports from India amounted to $2.5 billion. These figures are an average increase of 24% from the previous year.
The leading exports from Canada to India include fertilizers, paperboard and paper, vegetables, steel, iron, precious stones, wood pulp, and machinery. Imports from India are comprised mainly of knitwear, steel, iron, organic chemicals, metals and precious stones, woven apparel, and machinery.
Development assistance
Despite the end of Canada’s bilateral development assistance to India in 2006, through the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, India continues to receive aid. This is made possible through partnerships between Canadian and Indian NGOs. Then there is the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), which is managed by the Canadian High Commission stationed in New Delhi. The CFLI enables Canada to target particular needs at the grassroots level by supporting small projects initiated by local NGOs and other grassroots organizations such as local women’s groups and village councils.
Security partnership between Canada and India
Canada and India have regular discussions on the issues of regional security and common global events. This is channeled through the annual Canada-India Strategic Dialogue and the Canada-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Banking, money and taxes
Banking in India can be quite convenient after you manage to navigate the initial bureaucracy. If you are living or working in India, you will find it convenient and even necessary to have an Indian bank account, especially if you want to transfer money from Canada to India. There is more security to have the funds go directly to a bank account if you are making regular overseas payments or large wire transfers.
Canadian nationals may prefer to bank with foreign banks in lieu of local entities. However, local systems are increasingly robust and have been competing with internationally based banks.
Expats are usually allowed to open a non-resident checking or savings account in India once they are able to provide proof of a local address, a valid Canadian passport and proof of identity. Internet banking, ATMs, credit and debit cards, as well as personalized service are some of the common features of banking in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
Yes, all the companies are safe and fully-regulated money transfer services.
Each are authorised and regulated by the relevant authority such as the Financial
Conduct Authority(FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, FinTRAC in Canada or ASIC in Australia.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being from and to and how
you are sending and receiving the money. Transfers sent using bank to bank transfers
can depend take anywhere from minutes to days and you should check the time estimates
from the relevant provider. Debit and credit card payments sometimes allow for faster
transfers for smaller amounts.
How do I use FXcompared?
First review the comparison results (such as for a table above) for a given amount
of money sending from Canada to India. Then select a provider based on
factors such as price, speed, their rating and click the green button to be taken to
their website. From there, you can register and sign up for an account. Once you have
done that and the provider has verified your identity to ensure the money can be send
safely, you will be ready to transfer money.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The results shown above are typically for bank to bank transfers. It is possible
via some providers to pay in your funds for the transfer via cash, debit or credit
cards as well but this is usually reserved for smaller amounts. Some providers also
give you different options for how the money will be received - to a bank account
(most common), to a debit card, to cash or to a digital or mobile wallet.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
There can be a number of reasons why the final price you are offered may be different
to that shown in the table above. Exchange rates between two currencies change all
the time and is the most common reason. Additionally, some providers offer different
pricing depending what method you are using to send funds or how the funds will be
received. Others may offer you a premium service for faster payments. In some cases
FXcompared has a special rate with a provider and this is reserved for first time
customers who sign up to the provider starting from FXcompared’s website.
As prices do change often, be sure to confirm the total cost with the provider
before transferring money.
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