Private Travel Foreign exchange up to US$ 10,000 is permissible in any calendar year for tourism or private travel to any

country other than Nepal and Bhutan on the basis of self-certification. When traveling to Nepal and Bhutan, you can carry as much Indian currency as you wish, except currency notes with denominations of Rs.500 and above. Study Abroad / Medical treatment abroad / Employment abroad / Emigration / Maintenance of close relatives abroad Foreign exchange up to US$ 100,000 is permissible on the basis of self-certification. For students the limit of $100,000 is applicable for each academic year. For medical treatment in addition to $100,000, foreign exchange up to US$ 25,000 can be taken for meeting boarding/lodging/travel expenses of the patient and also for the accompanying attendant on self-certification. Amounts in excess of the limits can be released on basis of documentary evidence of requirement. Remittance for Miscellaneous Purposes up to US$ 5000 Remittances can be made up to US$ 5000, for any miscellaneous purpose, without furnishing documents. Donations Donations can be made to anybody up to US$ 5,000 every year per remitter on self certification. International Credit Cards International Credit Cards can be used for:

meeting expenses or making purchases while abroad without any limit. making payments in foreign exchange for purchase of books and other items through the Internet.

Residents holding a foreign currency account in India or with an overseas bank, are free to obtain ICCs issued by overseas banks and other reputed agencies. Surrender of Foreign Exchange on Return Foreign exchange up to US$ 2,000, in the form of foreign currency notes or travellers' cheques (TCs) can be retained indefinitely for future use. Amounts in excess of $2000 have to be surrendered to a bank within 90 days and TCs within 180 days of return or credited to RFC(D) account. Foreign coins can be retained indefinitely without any limit.

Resident Foreign Currency (Domestic) Account

Residents can open Resident Foreign Currency (Domestic) Account with a bank in India for crediting:

unspent balances after travel abroad currency ,TCs, bank drafts received as gifts from or for services rendered to non resident while in India foreign exchange earnings received, through banking channel, as honorarium, consultancy, royalty, for any services or towards exports of goods

RFC(D) accounts are NOT interest bearing and there is no ceiling on the balances that can be built up in these accounts. The balances held in these accounts can be used for any purpose for which foreign exchange can be bought from a bank in India.

How much foreign exchange is available for a business trip? Authorised dealers can release foreign exchange up to US$25,000 for a business trip to any country other than Nepal and Bhutan. Release of foreign exchange exceeding US$25,000 for travel abroad (other than Nepal and Bhutan) for business purposes, irrespective of period of stay, requires prior permission from Reserve Bank. Visits in connection with attending of an international conference, seminar, specialised training, study tour, apprentice training, etc., are treated as business visits.

Can residents obtain foreign exchange for medical treatment outside India? For medical treatment abroad exchange can be released upto USD 100,000/- based on a simple declaration from the customer in addition to submission of an application form and Form A2 as per the recent liberalisation policy of The Reserve Bank of India.

How much exchange is available for studies outside India? Release of Foreign exchange for studies abroad has now been increased to USD 100,000/- based on a simple declaration from the customer in addition to submission of an application form and Form A2 as per the recent liberalisation policy of The Reserve Bank of India.

How much foreign exchange can one buy when going for tourism to a country outside India? In connection with private visits abroad, viz., for tourism purposes, etc., foreign exchange up to US$10,000, in any one calendar year may be obtained from an authorised dealer. The ceiling of US$10,000 is applicable in aggregate and foreign exchange may be obtained for one or more than one visits provided the aggregate foreign exchange availed of in one calendar year does not exceed the prescribed ceiling of US$10,000 {The facility was earlier called B.T.Q or F.T.S.}. This US$10,000 (BTQ) can be availed of by a person alongwith foreign exchange for travel abroad for any purpose, including for employment or immigration or studies. However, no foreign exchange is available for visit to Nepal and/or Bhutan for any purpose. The same can be obtained based on a simple declaration from the customer in addition to submission of an application form and Form A2 as per the recent liberalisation policy of the Reserve Bank of India.

How much foreign exchange is available to a person going abroad on employment? Person going abroad for employment can draw Foreign Exchange upto USD 100,000/- based on a simple declaration from the customer in addition to submission of an application form and Form A2 as per the recent liberalisation policy of The Reserve Bank of India.

How much foreign exchange is available to a person going abroad on immigration? Persons going abroad for immigration can draw foreign exchange upto USD 100,000/- based on a simple declaration from the customer in addition to submission of an application form and Form A2 as per the recent liberalisation policy of The Reserve Bank of India.

Is there any purpose for which going abroad requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank or Govt. of India? Dance troupes, artistes, etc., who wish to undertake cultural tours abroad, should obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, New Delhi.

From where one can buy foreign exchange? Foreign exchange can be purchased from most branches of HDFC Bank. The Foreign Exchange can be taken as Currency notes and Traveller's Cheques besides Foreign Currency DDs and Telegraphic Transfers depending on the purpose of travel.

How much foreign exchange can be purchased in foreign currency notes while buying exchange for travel abroad? Travellers are allowed to purchase foreign currency notes/coins only up to US$ 3000. Balance amount can be taken in the form of Traveller's Cheque, banker's draft or Forexplus card. Exceptions to this are (a) travellers proceeding to Iraq and Libya can draw foreign exchange in the form of foreign currency notes and coins not exceeding US$ 5000 or its equivalent; (b) travellers proceeding to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation and other Republics of Commonwealth of Independent States can draw entire foreign exchange released in form of foreign currency notes or coins.

How much in advance one can buy foreign exchange for travel abroad? The foreign exchange acquired for any purpose has to be used within 60 days of purchase. In case it is not possible to use the foreign exchange within the period of 60 days it should be surrendered to an authorised dealer.

How much foreign exchange can one send as gift / donation to a person resident outside India? Any person resident in India under the liberalised remittance scheme can remit upto US$ 200,000 in an finanacial year as a gift to a person residing outside India or as donation to a charitable / educational / religious / cultural organisation outside India. This remittance can be done only under the liberalised remittance scheme and is meant for individual only

While coming into India how much foreign exchange can be brought in by NRIs? An NRI coming into India from abroad can bring with him foreign exchange without any limit provided if foreign currency notes, travellers cheques, Forexplus Card exceed US$ 10,000/- or its equivalent and/or the value of foreign currency exceeds US$ 5,000/- or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs Authorities at the Airport in the Currency Declaration Form (CDF), on arrival in India.

Can a Resident Indian maintain Foreign currency accounts in India? A resident Indian can maintain a Foreign Currency (Domestic) Account and deposit Foreign Exchange acquired from any of the sources approved by Reserve bank of India e.g. . Unspent BTQ, honorarium or gift / payment for services while on a visit outside India or received from a person not resident in India or who is on visit to India in settlement of a lawful obligation etc.

Can a Non HDFC Bank customer avail of Foreign Exchange Services for purpose of Travel or make remittances overseas? Yes, a Non HDFC Bank Customer can take foreign exchange for any branch dealing in foreign exchange. You can avail of Foreign Exchange against paying Cash, Cheque or Pay Order / Demand Draft. The Cash will be accepted upto Rs. 50,000/- (as per Indian Tax Laws) and any amount above Rs. 50,000/- will against Pay Order or Cheque after clearance of the same. You will have to carry required Documentary Proof for issuance of Foreign Exchange. Please check with your nearest branch for documentation required.