DINDEX/532-NRIs can Open Joint NRE Account with Close Relative in India

· Operate the Account as Power of Attorney Holder

[Ref: RBI Circular A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 13 dated 15 September 2011]

Subject: NRIs/PIOs holding NRE/ FCNR(B) accounts jointly with Indian resident close relative - liberalisation

Attention of the Authorised Dealer (AD) banks is invited to Schedules 1 and 2 of FEMA Notification No. 5/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 viz. Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, as amended from time to time, in terms of which Non-Resident (External) Rupee Account Scheme [NRE] and Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Account (Banks) Scheme [FCNR(B)], respectively are operated. In terms of the extant provisions contained in para 9(a) of Schedule-1 and Para 11(1) of Schedule-2 of the Notification ibid, NRIs / PIOs are not permitted to open NRE/FCNR (B) accounts jointly with a resident.

2. The Committee to review the facilities for individuals under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 has in its Report recommended that NRIs may be permitted to open joint FCNR(B) /NRE account with a resident close relative (means relative as defined in the section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956).

3. On a review, it has been decided that Non-Resident Indian (NRI), as defined in FEMA Notification No. 5, ibid, may be permitted to open NRE / FCNR(B) account with their resident close relative (relative as defined in Section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956) on ‘former or survivor’ basis. The resident close relative shall be eligible to operate the account as a Power of Attorney holder in accordance with extant instructions during the life time of the NRI/ PIO account holder.

4. AD banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their account holders concerned.

5. The necessary amendments to Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000 contained in Notification No. FEMA.5/2000-RB dated 3rd May 2000, are being issued separately.

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 are without prejudice to permissions/approvals, if any, required under any other law.