A fixed deposit account is a financial service offered by most banks in the country for domestic citizens as well as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
NRIs have a number of fixed deposit options to choose from. There are majorly 4 types of fixed deposits which is offered by the bank for Non-Resident Indians. They are:
One of the most common options of fixed deposits to choose from is NRE deposits. This type of FD allows an NRI to deposit his or her earnings in the bank account as savings or investments and earn high rates of interest offered by the bank.
In this type of FD account, deposits are accepted in Indian currency only. The tenure and interest rate differ from a domestic FD. They offer full repatriability and are tax-free.
Bank | Tenure | Rate of return (p.a.) |
HDFC Bank | 1 year to 10 years | 6.60% - 7.20% |
SBI Bank | 1 year to 10 years | 6.80% - 7.10% |
Axis Bank | 1 year to 10 years | 6.70% - 7.10% |
Federal Bank | 1 year to above 5 years | 6.80% - 7.40% |
Another type of FD for NRIs is the NRO deposit. This is similar to NRE deposits when it comes to the currency of the deposited amount. However, the interest rates of NRO deposits are the same as the domestic deposit. The money deposited in an NRO FD deposit is subjected to tax. Any NRI who has a source of income in India has to open an NRO deposit.
Bank | Tenure | Rate of return (p.a.) |
HDFC Bank | 7 days to 10 years | 3.00% to 7.20% |
SBI Bank | 7 days to 10 years | 3.00% to 7.10% |
Axis Bank | 7 days to 10 years | 3.00% to 7.10% |
Federal Bank | 7 days to above 5 years | 3.00% to 7.40% |
A Foreign Currency Non-Repatriable(FCNR) deposit allows investors to deposit their money in foreign currencies which are accepted all over the world.
Most major banks accept Great Britain Pound, United States Dollar, Euro, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, and the Singapore Dollar.
Bank | Tenure | Rate of return (p.a.) |
HDFC Bank | 1 year to 5 years | 3.90% - 5.50% |
SBI Bank | 1 year to 5 years | 3.80% - 5.00% |
Axis Bank | 1 year to 5 years | 4.10% - 5.60% |
Federal Bank | 1 year to 5 years | 3.90% to 5.25% |
This type of NRI fixed deposit can be opened by the NRIs who wish to move back to India soon. In most banks, the United States Dollar, Great Britain Pound, and the Euro are accepted and the interest earned in this FD is fully repatriable.
Bank | Tenure | Rate of return (p.a.) |
HDFC Bank | Less than 29 days - 3 years | 0.01% - 5.50% |
SBI Bank | 1 year - 3 years | 3.80% - 5.00% |
Axis Bank | 1 year- 5 years | 4.10% - 5.60% |
Federal Bank | 6 months to 3 years | 3.90% to 5.40% |
Type/criteria | NRO FD | FCNR | NRO Tax Saver | NRE FD | RFC |
Currency | Indian rupee | USD, GBP, JPY, Euro, CAD, SGP, AUD | Indian rupee | Indian rupee | USD, JPY, Euro, GBP |
Repatriability | Not fully repatriable | Fully repatriable(Interest and principal) | Not fully repatriable | Not fully repatriable | Repatriable on bonafide reasons |
Eligibility | Person of Indian Origin/ Individual NRI | Person of Indian Origin/ Individual NRI | Person of Indian Origin/ Individual NRI | Person of Indian Origin/ Individual NRI | Person of Indian Origin/ Individual NRI |
Joint Account Facility | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
Tax | Interest might be subjected to tax | No tax | Interest might be subjected to tax | No tax | Exempted tax can be claimed |
Tenure | 1 year to 10 years | 1 year to 5 years | Minimum of 5 years | 1 year to 10 years | 1 year to 10 years |
The process of opening an NRI fixed deposit account is a simple process. It can be done online as well as can be done in the branch of the bank, however, most investors prefer to do it online.
The interest rate that is paid is different for each type of term deposit account. This also varies with the duration of investment and the amount deposited. Also, the rate paid by each bank varies based on a number of internal and external factors. As far as FCNR and RFC accounts are concerned the interest rate also varies along with the type of currency the account is held in.
An NRI fixed deposit (FD) with a multi-deposit facility allows the account holder to invest in more than one FD with different tenures and deposit amounts and make the payment through a single cheque.
Yes, NRI fixed deposits are also subject to TDS (Tax Deducted at Source). This depends on the annual interest that has been earned on the fixed deposit.
Yes, fixed deposits do have credit ratings by agencies such as CARE, Fitch, India Ratings, CRISIL, etc. The higher the ratings, the lower will be the credit risk for that FD.
Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can only open a joint NRE account with another NRI.
You can only withdraw money from an NRI fixed deposit account in Indian rupees, and not in foreign currency.
Credit Card:
Credit Score:
Personal Loan:
Home Loan:
Fixed Deposit:
Copyright © 2025 BankBazaar.com.