RBI Permits Diplomatic Missions to Credit Visa Fees in FC Account which are Collected in India in Indian Rupees by Way of Transfer

[RBI Circular NO. 08 dated 14^th September 2009]

Sub: Foreign Currency Account by diplomatic missions - Credit of Visa Fees

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category – I) banks is invited to clause (a) of sub-regulation 3 of Regulation 4 of the Notification No. FEMA 5/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 viz. Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, as amended from time to time, in terms of which proceeds of inward remittances received from outside India through normal banking channels are allowed to be credited to the accounts maintained in foreign currency by diplomatic missions.

2. In consultation with the Government of India, it has been decided to permit diplomatic missions to credit the visa fees collected in India in Indian rupees by way of transfer from the rupee account to the accounts maintained in foreign currency by the diplomatic missions, in addition to proceeds of inward remittances received from outside India through normal banking channels.

3. Necessary amendment to the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000 dated May 3, 2000 has been notified vide Notification No. 193/2009-RB dated June 2, 2009 (G.S.R. No. 442(E) published in the Official Gazette of Government of India dated June 23, 2009) (copy enclosed).

4. Accordingly, AD Category –I banks may allow the diplomatic missions to credit the visa fees collected in India in Indian rupees, by way of transfer from the rupee account, to the account maintained in foreign currency by the diplomatic missions.

5. AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.

6. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and is without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.

ANNEX to A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No.08 of 14.09.09

Reserve Bank of India

Foreign Exchange Department

Central Office

Mumbai 400 001

Notification No.FEMA. 193 /2009-RB Date: June 2, 2009

Foreign Exchange management (Deposit) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (f) of sub section (3) of section 6 and sub section (2) of section 47 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999), the Reserve Bank of India makes the following amendments in the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000 (Notification No.FEMA.5/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000) namely : -

1. Short title and commencement :-

(i) These regulations may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009.

(ii) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Amendment of the Regulations: -

In the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000 (Notification No. FEMA.5/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000), Regulation 4, in sub-regulation (3), for clause (a), the following shall be substituted, namely:-

“(a) credits to the account shall be only by way of:-

(i) proceeds of inward remittances received from outside India through normal banking channels; and

(ii) transfer of funds, from the rupee account of the diplomatic mission in India, which are collected in India as visa fees and credited to such account.”