JAIIB · PPB · Unit 8Chapter Notes4–6 Marks Expected

Foreign Exchange Remittance Facilities for Individuals

Principles & Practices of Banking | Unit 8 Chapter Notes

FERA to FEMA, FEMA definitions, inward & outward remittance rules, Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), Schedule I/II/III transactions, and the Indo-Nepal Remittance Scheme — all key figures and provisions for the exam.

✓ By Bankopedia.co.in✓ Updated 2026✓ Numbers & schedules fully covered

📌 Why This Chapter Matters in JAIIB

This chapter is number-heavy and definition-heavy — exactly what the JAIIB paper loves. Expect 4–6 questions covering the LRS limit (USD 2,50,000), FERA vs FEMA differences, the 182-day residency rule, Schedule I/II/III transaction categories, CDF thresholds, and the Indo-Nepal Remittance Scheme. Lock in these figures and you pocket these marks.

Section 1

Evolution of FEMA — From FERA to FEMA

India’s approach to foreign exchange management has shifted from tight control to facilitation — tracking the country’s economic liberalisation journey.

Feature	FERA (1973)	FEMA (2000)
Full name	Foreign Exchange Regulation Act	Foreign Exchange Management Act
Enacted	1973 (replaced DERA 1947)	Effective June 1, 2000
Nature of offence	Criminal offence	Civil offence
Objective	Conservation & control of foreign exchange	Facilitate external trade & orderly development of FX market
Approach	Import substitution	Export promotion
WTO alignment	No	Yes — consistent with WTO framework
Exception	—	Does NOT extend to Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)

🧠 Mnemonic — FEMA vs FERA

“FERA was a Criminal cop; FEMA is a Civil manager.” FERA treated foreign exchange offences as criminal; FEMA treats them as civil. FERA aimed at import substitution; FEMA at export promotion. FEMA effective: June 1, 2000.

Section 2

Main Features of FEMA

i.FEMA empowers the Central Government to impose restrictions on foreign exchange transactions.
ii.Payments to/receipts from any person outside India, and deals in foreign exchange/security, are restricted.
iii.Transactions in foreign exchange must be made only through an Authorised Person (AP).
iv.FX transactions, foreign security dealings, or owning immovable property abroad by India residents are restricted.
v.Transactions involving FX or foreign security and payments from outside India cannot be undertaken without RBI's general or specific permission.
vi.Current account transactions can be restricted by the Central Government based on public interest.
vii.RBI is empowered to subject capital account transactions to restrictions.
viii.Residents may hold FX, foreign security, or immovable property abroad if acquired when living outside India or inherited from someone outside India.

Section 3

Key FEMA Definitions — Exam Hotspot

These definitions appear directly in MCQs. The 182-day rule for resident status is the single most tested figure in this chapter.

⚠️ Most-tested number: 182 days

A person is resident in India if they have resided in India for more than 182 days during the course of the preceding financial year. Common trap: options include 90, 180, and 182 — answer is always 182.

Authorised Dealer (AD)A person authorised under Sec. 10(1) of FEMA to deal in foreign exchange.

AD Category IAuthorised for ALL permissible current and capital account transactions. (Typically commercial banks)

AD Category IIAuthorised for specific foreign exchange transactions incidental to their business. Includes upgraded FFMCs, select RRBs, select UCBs.

Authorised Person (AP)Includes AD, money changer, off-shore banking unit, or any other person authorised under Sec. 10(1) to deal in FX.

Capital account transactionA transaction that alters assets/liabilities outside India of residents OR assets/liabilities in India of non-residents.

Current account transactionAny transaction other than a capital account transaction — includes trade payments, living expenses remittances, interest, and travel/education/medical expenses.

CurrencyIncludes notes, postal orders, money orders, cheques, drafts, TCs, LCs, bills, promissory notes, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards.

DrawalDrawing FX from an AP, including opening an LC, using an ICC, IDC, ATM card or anything creating a foreign exchange liability.

LRSLiberalised Remittance Scheme — facility for resident individuals to remit outside India up to USD 2,50,000 per FY.

NRINon-Resident Indian — a person resident outside India who is a citizen of India.

OCIOverseas Citizen of India — registered under Sec. 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

PIOPerson of Indian Origin — citizen of any country other than Bangladesh or Pakistan, who was an Indian citizen or whose parent/grandparent was.

Person resident in IndiaA person residing in India for more than 182 days during the preceding financial year (with certain exclusions for employment/business abroad).

Permissible currencyA foreign currency which is freely convertible.

Repatriation outside IndiaBuying FX from an AD in India and remitting it outside through banking channels or crediting it to an FCNR/foreign currency account.

Section 4

Bringing In & Taking Out Foreign Exchange

4.1 Bringing in Foreign Exchange — Currency Declaration Form (CDF)

Foreign exchange in any form can be brought into India freely without any limit, subject to declaration procedures. A Currency Declaration Form (CDF) must be filed with Customs, EXCEPT in the following cases:

No CDF needed if currency notes + TCs ≤

USD 10,000 or equivalent

No CDF needed if foreign currency notes only ≤

USD 5,000 or equivalent

4.2 Purchase of Foreign Currency from Public — Cash Payment Ceilings

From resident persons

USD 1,000 or equivalent per transaction

From foreign visitors / NRIs

USD 3,000 or equivalent per transaction

Payments to resident customers for purchased FX can also be made by account-payee cheque / DD / loading INR debit cards / electronic funds transfer. An Encashment Certificate may be issued by AP; non-residents should produce it to reconvert unspent Indian currency.

4.3 Taking Out Foreign Exchange

→Taking out FX other than that obtained from an AP is prohibited, unless covered by RBI's general or special permission.
→Non-residents may take out an amount not exceeding what they originally brought in, subject to CDF and encashment certificate compliance.
→Unspent rupees up to Rs. 10,000 may be reconverted to FX without an encashment certificate if departure is within 7 days and AP is satisfied.
→Foreign tourists (not NRIs) may reconvert rupees withdrawn from ATM up to Rs. 50,000 against original ATM slip + valid passport/visa + air ticket confirmed within 7 days.

Section 5

Inward Remittances

General Rules

→No restrictions for a resident individual to receive inward remittances through AD banks in India.
→ADs may freely purchase TTs, MTs, Drafts, Bills, etc. drawn in any foreign currency against rupees.
→Foreign exchange due as remuneration, settlement of obligations, income on overseas assets, or inheritance must be sold (surrendered) to an AP within 180 days of receipt.
→FEMA specifies no maximum limit on money being remitted into India.
→FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) is not required for personal remittances by NRIs to relatives. It is required for business remittances claiming tax concessions.

Approved Remittance Methods into India

Bank Wire Transfer: Electronic transfer between banks. Generally takes 2 working days.

Foreign Currency Cheque: Cheque sent by remitter; deposited by recipient in India. Takes 20–25 days (can be reduced by courier + cash letter plus service).

Bank Money Order: Bank buys money order abroad; uses postal services to pay beneficiary. Time-consuming.

Foreign Currency Draft: Similar to a bank draft but sent overseas. Normal encashment time: 21 days.

Remittance Card: Reloadable debit card. NRI buys in recipient's name; recipient uses at ATMs & stores. Cost-effective.

Direct Deposit / ACH: NRI authorises Indian bank to debit their foreign bank account. Best for regular/recurring remittances.

Section 6

Outward Remittances — The Three Schedules

Release of FX to residents is governed by FEMA (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000. Transactions are categorised into three schedules — memorise which schedule each falls under.

🧠 Mnemonic — PGA (Prohibited, Govt, AD)

Schedule I

Prohibited (P)

No AD can allow

Schedule II

Govt Approval (G)

Prior approval from Ministry / Dept.

Schedule III

AD can allow (A)

Within limits; beyond limits → RBI approval

Schedule I

Prohibited Transactions — No FX Release Allowed

✕Remittance of lottery winnings
✕Remittance for purchase of lottery tickets, banned/proscribed magazines, football pools, sweepstakes
✕Remittance of income from racing/riding/hobbies
✕Payment of commission on exports for equity investment in JV/WOS abroad
✕Remittance of dividend where dividend balancing applies
✕Payment of commission on exports under Rupee State Credit Route (except up to 10% for tea/tobacco)
✕Remittance of interest income on Non-Resident Special Rupee (Account) Scheme
✕Payment related to 'Call Back Services' of telephones
✕Remittances for participation in lottery/money circulation schemes or prize money

Schedule II

Prior Approval Required from Central Government

Key examples (the full list appears as a table in the textbook):

→Cultural tours → Ministry of Human Resources Development
→Advertisement in foreign print media (other than tourism/FDI/bidding) >USD 10,000 by State Govt/PSU → Ministry of Finance
→Remittance of freight of vessel chartered by a PSU → Ministry of Surface Transport (Chartering Wing)
→Remittance of hiring charges of transponders by TV Channels → Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
→Prize money/sponsorship of sports activity abroad >USD 1,00,000 (by non-national sports bodies) → Ministry of HRD (Dept. of Youth Affairs)
→Remittance for membership of P&I Club → Ministry of Finance (Insurance Division)

Schedule III

AD Can Permit (up to LRS limit; beyond → RBI approval)

Purpose	Limit
Gift or donation	USD 2,50,000 per FY
Private visits (except Nepal & Bhutan)	USD 2,50,000 per FY
Going abroad on employment	USD 2,50,000 per FY
Emigration	USD 2,50,000 or as prescribed by country of emigration
Maintenance of close relatives abroad	USD 2,50,000 per FY
Business trips / conferences	USD 2,50,000 per FY
Medical treatment abroad	USD 2,50,000 per FY (no estimate needed); more with doctor's estimate
Studies abroad	USD 2,50,000 per FY (no estimate needed); more with university estimate

Note: Remittances from Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) accounts and EEFC accounts for Schedule II/III transactions are exempt from prior approval requirements.

Section 7

Authorised Dealer Category II — Non-Trade Current Account Transactions

RBI has granted AD Cat-II licences to upgraded FFMCs, select RRBs, and select UCBs. They can undertake a defined range of non-trade current account transactions — not all transactions.

Transactions AD Cat-II Can Handle

Private visits

Business travel

Remittance by tour operators to overseas agents/hotels

Conference / specialised training fees

International events / competitions

Film shooting

Disbursement of crew wages

Medical treatment abroad

Overseas education

GRE/TOEFL exam fees & score sheets

Educational tie-up with foreign universities

Employment & processing fees for overseas jobs

Emigration & consultancy fees

Visa fees

Skills / credential assessment for intending migrants

Portuguese/other Govt. document registration fees

Registration / subscription / membership fees to international organisations

Section 8

International Credit Cards, Debit Cards & Smart Cards

International Credit Cards (ICC)

→FEMA restrictions do NOT apply to ICCs issued by overseas banks used by residents for expenses while visiting outside India.
→Residents can use ICCs on internet for any purpose for which FX can be purchased from an AD in India (e.g., import of books, downloadable software).
→ICCs CANNOT be used for prohibited items — lottery tickets, banned magazines, sweepstakes, call-back services.
→No aggregate monetary ceiling separately prescribed for ICC use on internet by RBI.
→ADs may issue ICCs to NRIs/PIOs without prior RBI approval — charges must be settled from inward remittances or NRE/FCNR balances only.
→Use of ICC for payments in foreign exchange in Nepal and Bhutan is NOT permitted.

International Debit Cards (IDC)

→AD banks may issue IDCs to residents for drawing cash or paying merchant establishments overseas during visits abroad.
→IDCs can be used only for permissible current account transactions and within Schedule limits.
→IDCs cannot be used on internet for prohibited items.

Store Value / Charge / Smart Cards (Prepaid Travel Cards)

→AD banks may issue such cards to residents travelling on private/business visits abroad.
→Use is limited to permissible current account transactions under FEM (CAT) Rules, 2000.
→Unutilised balance on prepaid travel cards can be redeemed only after 10 days from last transaction.
→APs must redeem the unused balance immediately on request, subject to retaining: unclaimed/unsettled amounts; service tax payable; and a small balance not exceeding USD 100 for pipeline transactions.

⚠️ Prohibition on Drawal of Foreign Exchange

No FX drawal is permitted for: (a) Schedule I transactions; (b) travel to Nepal/Bhutan; (c) transactions with a person resident in Nepal or Bhutan. Nepal/Bhutan transactions are done in Indian Rupees.

Section 9

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) — Full Detail

LRS was introduced in 2004 and has replaced purpose-wise limits under Schedule III for resident individuals. It is the single most-tested topic in this chapter.

LRS Key Numbers & Rules — Memorise These

Annual limit per individualUSD 2,50,000 per financial year (April–March)

Number of transactionsNo restriction on number of transactions

Eligible personsResident individuals including minors

NOT available toCorporates, partnership firms, HUF, Trusts

Foreign currency notes ceilingUSD 3,000 (general); USD 5,000 for Iraq/Libya; Full for Iran/Russia/CIS; Full for Haj/Umrah

Attendant with patient abroadAdditional USD 2,50,000 per FY allowed

Retain after travelUp to USD 2,000 in foreign currency + foreign coins (no ceiling) can be retained beyond 180 days

Surrender periodUnused/unspent FX must be surrendered to AP within 180 days

ReportingAll LRS remittances reported in FETERS

Account designationIndividual must designate one AD branch for all LRS remittances

Capital Account Transactions Permitted under LRS

→Opening of a foreign currency account abroad with a bank
→Purchase of property abroad
→Making investments abroad — shares (listed/unlisted overseas company), debt instruments, MFs, VCFs, unrated debt, promissory notes
→Setting up Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS) / Joint Ventures (JV) outside India for bonafide business
→Extending loans (including Indian Rupee loans) to NRI relatives as defined under Companies Act, 2013

Prohibitions under LRS

✕Remittance for margins/margin calls to overseas exchanges or counterparties — NOT allowed.
✕Cannot be used to gift funds to another resident individual by remitting to their foreign currency account overseas.
✕Schedule I and Schedule II transactions are not permitted.
✕Capital account remittances to FATF non-co-operative countries/territories are not permitted.
✕Banks must not extend credit facilities to resident individuals to facilitate capital account remittances under LRS.
✕Remittances to individuals/entities identified as posing terrorism risk (as per RBI advisories) are not permitted.

LRS Procedure & Documents

→Individual must designate a single AD branch through which all LRS remittances will be made.
→Must furnish Form A2 for purchase of foreign exchange under LRS.
→PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for making remittances under LRS.
→New bank customers: AD must carry out due diligence and obtain bank statement for the previous year or latest IT assessment order/return.
→For remittances < USD 25,000, AD may prepare and keep on record a dummy Form A2.
→All LRS remittances are reported in FETERS in the normal course.
→Payment must be by cheque drawn on the applicant's bank account, or debit to account, or DD/Pay Order, or credit/debit/prepaid card.

Section 10

Indo-Nepal Remittance Scheme

Key Facts — Indo-Nepal Remittance Scheme

LaunchedMay 2008, by RBI in consultation with Nepal Rastra Bank

PurposeCross-border remittances from India to Nepal — especially for Nepali migrant workers in India

DirectionOne-way: India to Nepal only

Ceiling per remittanceINR 2,00,000

Cash limit (non-customer)Rs. 50,000 per remittance; maximum 12 remittances per year

CurrencyRemittances in Indian Rupees; payment to beneficiaries in Nepalese Rupees

ChannelNEFT — processed via NCC, Mumbai; channelised to Nepal via SBI payment gateway

Beneficiary paymentThrough branches of Nepal State Bank Ltd. and their approved agents

Non-account holderCan avail — must produce Passport/PAN/Driving Licence/Employer ID

KYC/AMLOriginating banks must complete customer due diligence as per KYC/AML/CFT guidelines

⚠️ Exam trap — Two different cash ceilings

The Indo-Nepal scheme has two different limits: overall ceiling per remittance is INR 2,00,000; for cash remittances from non-customers / walk-in customers, the limit is Rs. 50,000 per remittance with a maximum of 12 remittances per year.

Section 11

Period of Surrender of Foreign Exchange

→General rule: A resident individual must surrender received/realised/unspent/unused foreign exchange to an AP within 180 days.
→Repurposing allowed: FX purchased for a specific purpose can be utilised for any other eligible permitted purpose.
→Returning traveller exception: May retain foreign currency notes and travellers' cheques up to USD 2,000 AND foreign coins without any ceiling beyond 180 days, for future travel.
→AP cannot refuse: An AP should not refuse to purchase FX even if surrendered after the 180-day prescribed period, merely on the ground that the period has expired.

Section 12

Chapter at a Glance — Key Numbers

Threshold / Rule	Figure	Context
FEMA effective date	June 1, 2000	Replaced FERA, 1973
Residency threshold	182 days	Preceding FY; more than 182 days = resident
CDF not required if	≤ USD 10,000 (total) / ≤ USD 5,000 (notes only)	When bringing FX into India
Cash purchase from residents	USD 1,000	Per transaction ceiling
Cash purchase from NRI/foreigners	USD 3,000	Per transaction ceiling
Surrender period for FX	180 days	After receipt; AP cannot refuse post-expiry
LRS annual limit	USD 2,50,000 per FY	Per resident individual; minors eligible
Medical treatment (no estimate)	USD 2,50,000	Per FY; estimate needed beyond this
Studies abroad (no estimate)	USD 2,50,000	Per FY; estimate needed beyond this
Foreign currency notes — general	USD 3,000	Within overall LRS ceiling
Foreign currency notes — Iraq/Libya	USD 5,000	Within overall LRS ceiling
Retain after travel	USD 2,000 + coins	Can retain indefinitely for future travel
Indo-Nepal — ceiling per remittance	INR 2,00,000	Account-holders and non-account holders
Indo-Nepal — cash (walk-in)	Rs. 50,000; max 12/year	Non-customers only
LRS — Form A2 dummy (small remit)	< USD 25,000	AD may keep dummy form on record

Free — no credit card needed

Register free to read the full guide

All 25 chapters covered, plus a downloadable PDF study pack.

✓ Full guide — all 24 IIBF syllabus chapters
✓ PDF study pack — download and read offline
✓ Name screening, alert categories, STR writing guide
✓ 2025–26 regulatory updates included

Create free account →Sign in

Practice Test

Chapter 8 Mock Test — Coming Soon

Exam-standard MCQs on FEMA definitions, LRS, schedules, and Indo-Nepal remittance — timed, graded, PRO.

Back to PPB Overview →

← Chapter 7: Banker’s Special Relationship|PPB Overview|Chapter 9: Operational Aspects of NRI Business →|JAIIB Exam Hub