How to Transfer Money from USA to India
USA to India Guide
Transfer Money from USA to India
The US and India have an extensive bilateral relationship, encompassing strong cultural, military, strategic, and economic ties. There are no restrictions on transferring money from USA to India. Despite the limitations with international transfers out of India, money can be transferred into the country with few restrictions.
Visas for India
Applying and obtaining a visa for India is not difficult for Americans; the process is only complicated by the number of options to choose from, which include a tourist visa, business visa, transfer of business visa, conference visa, employment visa, or entry visa, among several others. The first step is deciding which particular visa is right for your situation. Applications must be made online or offline through Cox and Kings Global Services, to which the government of India has outsourced almost all visa, OCI and Renunciation processes.
Tourist visas are applicable if you are visiting friends and family or planning to travel for tourism and sightseeing. You are not allowed to work while in India on a tourist visa. In order to work in India, US nationals need to obtain either a business visa or an employment visa. Business visas are intended for people who want to conduct business working on behalf of an international company. Employment visas are necessary if you intend to work for a company in India.
In order to apply for an employment visa, applicants need to show proof of employment and evidence that you are earning at least US$25,000 per year. To obtain a business visa you will require a letter from the organization with which you intend to conduct business. A residence permit is needed if US nationals intend to remain in India for longer than 182 days.
Trade between the USA and India
Bilateral trade in goods between the US and India increased to $66.9 billion in 2014. The major goods exported from India include pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, electrical machinery, precious stones and metals, lac, gum, resins, mineral fuel, oil, and organic chemicals. Major items exported from the US to India include aircraft, spacecraft parts, machinery, plastic products, precious stones and metals, optical instruments and equipment.
Educational partnership with India
The Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative which culminated in 2009 served to further strengthen the basis of education as a strategic element in partnership between the USA and India. Joint agreements between the two countries have seen the establishment of an increased number of community colleges in India. As a premise of the Global Initiative of Academic Networks, India will be hosting as many as 1000 American academics to teach in Indian universities each year as well as to assist in establishing an Indian Institute of Technology.
Remittances from USA to India
With over 3 million Indian expats in the US holding a variety of positions as professionals, entrepreneurs, or leaders of government, remittances are a common feature of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Indian expats tend to maintain close ties with family and relatives in their home country, and often send money home to assist in paying for tuition or maintaining the livelihood of the family.
Banking and money
The banking sector in India is constantly improving. It is now more progressive with private, public and international banks. From 2011, there were 28 public banks, 29 private banks and about 31 foreign owned banks. There is a combination of more than 53,000 branches and 17,000 ATMs. Electronic banking is widely available with many banking services offered online.
Most expats tend to choose international banks over local ones for the familiarity and level of trust. However, the standards and services have become quite similar with both offering similar services. The top Indian banks include HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank; while the leading international banks include Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Citibank and Standard Chartered.
What does differ among the types of banks is the charges they apply to various services. Fortunately, regulations stipulate that all fees and charges for banking services and products must be clearly published by the bank, so it is fairly easy to choose a bank based on their rates. International banks have a more limited network than local banks, operating only as branches of the foreign owned entities. In this way local banks may prove more convenient and accessible when you want to transfer money from USA to India.
US expats will be able to open a non-resident savings or checking account if they are earning an income in India. In most cases, these account holders are required to maintain a bank balance of at least US$500. In order to open a bank account you will need to present a copy of your passport or visa, proof of identity, copy of residential permit and proof of a local address in India.
Differences in taxation
US expats to India are subject to the same tax laws which are applicable to Indian nationals. However, there has been a double taxation avoidance agreement between the US and India since 1989. Therefore only income earned within India will be subject to the maximum of 30% tax which is levied in India. The tax year in India runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year; whereas the US tax year runs from January 1 and ends on December 31. Expats may meet exemptions of up to Rs.100,000 for particular investments.
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 USA 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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