Have you recently moved to the US or another foreign country? Or are you in the process of making this huge move? It takes more than just packing your bags and boarding a flight. You have a few essential formalities to complete before you make that long-stay trip abroad.

Who is an NRI?

A Non–resident Indian is any citizen of India who will be living out of the country for more than 182 days in one financial year from April 1st to March 31st. It could be for purposes of travel, work or the pursuit of some vocation. This does not imply a change of citizenship. India has a very few countries that fall under the purview of dual citizenship wherein the person can hold both Indian as well as citizenship of a foreign country. USA, for example is not a country that is granted dual citizenship under the Indian laws.

Steps NRI Should Take Before Moving Out of India

• Notify all financial institutions

Once your travel plans are confirmed and you are sure your move will be more than 182 days out of India, be sure to notify all insurance, banking, safety deposit lockers and other financial institutions including long-term savings and retirement accounts about your move and subsequent change in NRI status.

• Open a NRE Account

A Non-Resident External Account (rupee denomination) allows you to remit funds herein outside India and has the added benefit of being tax-free. Another alternative is opening a Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Foreign Currency Denominated) Account (FCNR) which allows you to bring in your foreign earnings to India.

• Power of Attorney

You may want to designate a trustworthy and reliable person as a Power of Attorney. This could be a trusted friend or a close member of your family who can act in your lieu and conduct any formalities on your behalf in India. This covers all activities which require your signature, including any financial authorizations required in India.

• Convert existing Indian bank accounts to NRO

Your local bank should be notified of your change in status. Consequently, your existing bank account should be converted to a Non-Resident Ordinary account. This will function as a regular savings account and can be used to make regular rupee payments within India. This account accepts foreign earnings which is converted into Indian rupees.
This includes any joint accounts you may hold. If you are the primary operator of the account, you will have to give affidavits and power of attorney to the secondary account holder to act in your absence.

• Convert Demat Accounts to PIN accounts

If you held a DEMAT account before change of status to NRI, you will be allowed to continue owning but will be non-repatriable. NO equity investments on agricultural or real estate activities can be conducted on these accounts. Instead, it is advisable to open up a Portfolio investment scheme account should be opened that is mandated for NRIs who want to invest in securities listed on stock exchange.

• PPF and NSC accounts

Per a recent missive by the Indian government, all Provident funds and National savings certificates that acts as long term savings will only be allowed to run its course until expiration. NRI aren’t permitted to start a new one, to extend it or withdraw from it and take it to a foreign country. Instead, it has to be deposited into a NRO account.

• Repayment of Loans

Once abroad there are several ways to ensure repayment of loans are continued However, once your status changes to a NRI, you have to find reliable remittance tools. CompareRemit is an ideal marketplace of remitting agencies that help send money back to India.

• Insurance policies

NRIs, in most cases are not covered abroad for medical insurances. It is advisable to take traveling medical insurance plan that is globally covered. VisitorsCoverage, for instances has many options that cover travelers abroad. Depending upon factors like age, and length of stay and physical condition, there are many options plans like Cover America Gold that take care of most travelers’ insurance needs.
The terms and conditions of life insurance policies should be reevaluated if going out of India.

• Aadhaar or PAN

NRIs are not eligible to have an Aadhaar card but can have a Permanent Account Number which is essential to access several services like getting a cell phone access when you visit India.

• Income reporting

Once you are a NRI and living in the US, the US government has mandated that you report all incomes earned outside of the US. This applies to anything earned from rental properties or fixed deposit accounts in India. FBARs have to be submitted annually and not doing so can accrue severe penalties from the US government. Under $10,000, there are no taxes liable, just reporting is mandated.