NRI Fixed Deposit 2025 - Best Rates

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). 

Updated On - 05 Sep 2025
check free credit score

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:

  1. NRE Fixed Deposits
  2. NRO Fixed Deposits
  3. FCNR Fixed Deposits
  4. RFC deposit

NRE Fixed Deposits Rates

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%

NRO Fixed Deposits Rates

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%

FCNR Fixed Deposits Rates in United States Dollar

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%

RFC Fixed Deposits Rates in United States Dollar

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%

Eligibility Criteria For Non-resident Indians Fixed Deposit Accounts

  1. Passport - The passport of the investor should show the name, address, date of birth, photograph and the signature.
  2. Visa/ Work permit - Visa documents should be presented by the investor which should contain the work permit, permanent resident visa, resident permit as well the employment visa along with other requested documents.

Types Of NRI FD's And How They Differ From One Another

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

Benefits of FD for Non-Resident Indians

  1. The investments made in an FD for NRIs is safe and highly secure.
  2. An ideal option to deposit and save money earned abroad.
  3. 2 types of FDs for NRIs are exempted from tax.
  4. Overdraft and loan facilities can be taken on the FD.
  5. An option of nomination is allowed for the FD.
  6. Offers higher rate of returns.

How Can an NRI Fixed Deposit Account Be Opened?

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.

Interest rates on NRI Fixed deposits

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.

FAQs on NRI Fixed Deposit

  • What is a multi-deposit facility in an NRI FD?

    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.

  • Are NRI fixed deposits subject to TDS?

    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.

  • Do NRI fixed deposits have any credit ratings?

    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.

  • Can NRIs open a joint NRE account with a Resident Indian?

    Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can only open a joint NRE account with another NRI.

  • Can you withdraw money in foreign currency from an NRI fixed deposit account?

    You can only withdraw money from an NRI fixed deposit account in Indian rupees, and not in foreign currency.

Disclaimer
Display of any trademarks, tradenames, logos and other subject matters of intellectual property belong to their respective intellectual property owners. Display of such IP along with the related product information does not imply BankBazaar's partnership with the owner of the Intellectual Property or issuer/manufacturer of such products.