Yes, you can transfer money from a foreign bank to an NRO account, but the process depends on whether you use a wire transfer, international money transfer service, or your bank's own cross-border system

An NRO account (Non-Resident Ordinary) is a rupee savings account held by an Indian resident living abroad. Foreign banks can send money to it directly, but the receiving bank in India must have your account details correct, and both banks must comply with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rules about non-resident accounts.

The most common route is a SWIFT wire transfer from your foreign bank to your NRO account in India. Your Indian bank will assign your account a SWIFT code and IFSC code—you give these to your foreign bank, along with your account number and the bank's address. The money arrives in rupees, usually within 2 to 5 business days, though some corridors take longer.

Alternatively, you can use a money transfer service like Wise, OFX, or your foreign bank's own international transfer product. These often charge lower fees than a standard wire and may offer better exchange rates, but they work only if they support transfers to NRO accounts in India—not all do.

Key Takeaways

  • SWIFT wire transfers are the most direct method: you provide your NRO account number, IFSC code, and your Indian bank's SWIFT code to your foreign bank.
  • Money typically arrives within 2 to 5 business days, though some banks and corridors are slower.
  • Your Indian bank must confirm it accepts inbound transfers to NRO accounts before you initiate a transfer.
  • International money transfer services may offer lower fees and better rates than wire transfers, but you must check whether they support NRO accounts.
  • The RBI restricts what you can do with NRO funds—they cannot be freely moved out of India, so confirm your intended use before sending money.

What information your foreign bank needs from you

Before your foreign bank can send money to your NRO account, you must provide the account details of the receiving bank in India. Ask your Indian bank for the following: your full account number, the IFSC code (a five-character code that identifies your specific branch), and the bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank internationally).

You will also need to tell your foreign bank the full name of the bank branch, its address, and the city. Some foreign banks ask for a reference number or description of the transfer—you can write "personal transfer to NRO account" or similar. Double-check all details with your Indian bank before submitting the transfer request, because a wrong account number or IFSC code will cause the money to be returned or sent to the wrong account.

Wire transfers versus money transfer services

A SWIFT wire transfer is the traditional method. You go to your foreign bank's branch or online banking portal, enter the Indian bank details, specify the amount, and pay the fee (usually $15 to $50 depending on the bank and country). The bank sends the money through the SWIFT network, which connects banks worldwide. The money arrives as rupees in your NRO account.

International money transfer services like Wise, OFX, Remitly, or MoneyGram often charge lower fees (sometimes $2 to $10) and may offer exchange rates closer to the mid-market rate than your bank does. However, not all of them support NRO accounts—some only transfer to regular savings accounts or current accounts. Before you open an account with a service, contact them and confirm they can send to an NRO account in India.

Your foreign bank may also offer its own international transfer product, sometimes called "international money transfer" or "cross-border payment." This sits between a wire transfer and a third-party service in terms of speed and cost. Ask your bank what options it offers and what the fees and timelines are.

How long the transfer takes and what happens to the money

A SWIFT wire transfer typically takes 2 to 5 business days from the moment your foreign bank sends it. The timeline depends on the banks involved, the countries, and whether either bank needs to route the money through a correspondent bank (an intermediary). Some corridors—for example, transfers from the United States or United Kingdom to major Indian banks—are faster and more direct. Transfers from smaller countries or to smaller Indian banks may take longer.

Once the money arrives in your NRO account, it is yours to use within the rules that govern NRO accounts. The RBI restricts NRO funds: you can spend them in India, but you cannot freely move them out of India or convert them to foreign currency without RBI permission. If you plan to use the money to pay bills, invest in India, or support family members in India, an NRO account works well. If you need to send the money back out of India later, you will face restrictions.

What to do if the transfer does not arrive

If the money does not appear in your account within the expected timeframe, first check with your foreign bank to confirm the transfer was actually sent. Ask for the SWIFT reference number (also called the transaction reference or trace number). Your foreign bank can use this to track the payment through the SWIFT network and tell you whether it has been delivered to your Indian bank.

Next, contact your Indian bank with the SWIFT reference number and ask them to trace the incoming transfer. Sometimes money arrives at the bank but is held in a suspense account because of a mismatch in account details or because the bank needs additional information from you. Your Indian bank can check this and move the money to your account if it is there.

If the money has been lost or sent to the wrong account, your foreign bank is responsible for recovering it. File a claim with your foreign bank immediately, providing the SWIFT reference number and all details of the transfer. The recovery process can take weeks or months, so do not delay.

NRO account restrictions you should know before transferring

An NRO account is designed for non-residents to hold rupees earned in India or from Indian sources. The RBI allows you to deposit foreign currency and have it converted to rupees, and you can receive transfers from abroad. However, the money in an NRO account cannot be freely moved out of India or converted back to foreign currency without RBI permission.

If you send money to an NRO account intending to use it to pay living expenses in India, invest in Indian stocks or property, or support family members in India, there are no restrictions. But if you later want to send the money back to your foreign bank account, you will need to show the RBI that the funds came from a legitimate source and meet other conditions. Some banks allow limited outward remittance from NRO accounts (usually up to $1 million per financial year, though this varies), but you must request it and provide documentation.

Before you transfer money to an NRO account, confirm with your Indian bank what you plan to do with the funds and whether any restrictions will affect your plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from any foreign bank to an NRO account?

Yes, as long as the foreign bank offers international wire transfers and your Indian bank accepts inbound SWIFT transfers to NRO accounts. Some smaller banks or online-only banks may not support international transfers, so check with your foreign bank first. Your Indian bank must also confirm it accepts transfers to NRO accounts—most major banks do, but it is worth verifying.

What exchange rate will I get when I transfer money to an NRO account?

The exchange rate depends on the method you use. SWIFT wire transfers usually use the rate your foreign bank sets, which is often 1 to 2 percent worse than the mid-market rate. Money transfer services like Wise often offer rates much closer to mid-market. Ask your foreign bank and any service you are considering what rate they will use before you commit to a transfer.

Can I transfer money to someone else's NRO account?

Yes, but the receiving bank may ask for additional documentation to confirm the relationship and the source of the funds. If you are sending money to a family member's NRO account, provide a letter explaining the relationship and the purpose of the transfer. The bank may also ask for proof of your identity and the source of the funds.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer to an NRO account?

There is no RBI limit on inbound transfers to an NRO account. However, your foreign bank may have its own limits on wire transfer amounts, and your Indian bank may flag unusually large transfers for compliance review. If you are transferring a large amount, contact both banks in advance to let them know and to avoid delays.

Do I need to report the transfer to any tax authority?

This depends on your country of residence and India's tax rules. If you are a non-resident Indian (NRI), you may need to report foreign income or transfers to the Indian tax authority. Check with a tax professional in your country of residence and in India to understand your reporting obligations before you transfer money.