Can you actually walk into an HDFC Bank branch outside India?
As an NRI who's helped thousands navigate Indian banking from abroad, I get this question weekly.
Last month, a software engineer in Dubai asked in our NRI WhatsApp Group whether he should open his NRE account at HDFC's local branch or stick to online banking.
The answer isn't straightforward. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.
By the end of this article, you'll get to know which are the HDFC Banks in your nearest location and how to go about opening an NRE account with them.
The Big Question
Should NRIs choose HDFC Bank for international banking, and which locations actually offer full services?
This matters because picking the wrong bank or branch can cost you months of paperwork, higher fees, and missed investment opportunities.
Quick Answer (Summary Verdict)
HDFC Bank operates 5 full-service international branches plus 4 representative offices across 7 countries. The bank is strongest in the UAE and Singapore for NRIs, but has significant limitations compared to GIFT City investment options that we recommend.
👉 Bottom Line: HDFC works well for basic NRI banking, but you'll want better options for tax-free investments and currency protection.
The Full Picture
HDFC Bank's international presence has evolved significantly. Here's the current landscape:
Full-Service Branches (5 Locations)
- Dubai, UAE - Established hub for Gulf NRIs
- Bahrain - Covers broader Middle East region
- Hong Kong - Asia-Pacific operations center
- Singapore - Newest branch (opened October 2024)
- GIFT City, Gujarat - IFSC Banking Unit for international services
Representative Offices (4 Locations)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE - Support for Dubai operations
- London, UK - Limited services, mainly documentation
- Kenya - East Africa operations
- Dubai - Additional representative office
Key Update: Singapore was upgraded from a representative office to a full branch in October 2024, with a wholesale banking license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
What This Means for You
Unlike banks that just have "presence," HDFC offers genuine banking services. As of March 2024, their international business had a balance sheet size of $9.06 billion.
But here's what most NRIs don't realize: GIFT City investments often provide better tax efficiency than traditional international banking.
HDFC Bank Global Branches Directory
HDFC Bank operates internationally across 6 countries with a strategic focus on major financial centers and regions with significant Non-Resident Indian (NRI) populations.
The bank maintains 5 full banking branches and 4 representative offices worldwide, with a combined international balance sheet of US$ 9.06 billion as of March 2024.
Major 2024 Development: Singapore was upgraded from a representative office to a full wholesale banking branch in October 2024, marking HDFC Bank's most significant international expansion milestone.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Dubai - DIFC Full Banking Branch ⭐
Address: Level 27, Office 2701, Al Fattan Currency House, Tower-2, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE
Contact Details:
- Phone: +971 4 703 8700
- Fax: +971 4 354 2211
- Email: difc.dubai@hdfcbank.com
Working Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Friday: 12:30-2:30 PM lunch break for prayers)
Services: Full banking branch offering wealth management, treasury products, trade finance, loans, and comprehensive NRI banking services. This is HDFC Bank's primary Middle East operation.
Dubai - Representative Office
Address: 104, Juma Al Majid Commercial Building, Opposite Bur Juman Centre, Trade Centre Road, P.O. Box 64546, Dubai, UAE
Contact Details:
- Phone: +971 4 317 0000
- Fax: +971 4 396 7010
- Email: nri.dubai@hdfcbank.com
- Contact Person: Mr. Sachin Sethi
Working Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Ramadan: reduced hours)
Services: NRI account opening, remittance services, banking liaison
Abu Dhabi - Representative Office
Address: 203, Salam HQ Building, Opposite Abu Dhabi Municipality, Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE, P.O. Box 106514
Contact Details:
- Phone: +971 2 693 7000
- Fax: +971 2 644 0662
- Email: nriabudhabi@hdfcbank.com
- Contact Person: Mr. Umashankar Gopalan
Working Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Services: NRI banking services, account assistance, remittances
BAHRAIN
Manama - Full Banking Branch
Address: Bahrain Financial Harbour, West Tower, 49th Floor, Building No. 1459, Road No. 4626, P.O. Box 20246, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Contact Details:
- Phone: +973 16577000 / +973 16577015
- Email: gcccustomerservice@hdfcbank.com / bahrainrmhelpdesk@hdfcbank.com
- Contact Person: Mr. Sameer Shaikh
- SWIFT Code: HDFCBHBMXXX
Services: Full banking services including NRE/NRO accounts, fixed deposits, investment services, and comprehensive business banking solutions. Licensed as Conventional Wholesale Bank by Central Bank of Bahrain.
SINGAPORE
Singapore - Full Wholesale Banking Branch
Address: 50 Raffles Place, #40-04, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623
Contact Details:
- Phone: +65-62026870 / +65-65367000
- CEO: Gaurav Khandelwal
- Group Head (International Banking): Rakesh Singh
Working Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Singapore Time)
Services: Complete wholesale banking services for multinational corporations, portfolio investment services, trade finance, NRI housing loans, and full banking products. Licensed by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) effective October 15, 2024.
Significance: This represents HDFC Bank's major 2024 expansion, upgrading from representative office to full branch status.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong - Licensed Bank
Address: Suite 1707, 17th Floor, Gateway Tower 1, Harbour City, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact Details:
- Phone: +852 31072970
- Fax: +852 3107 2975
- Principal Complaints Officer: Mr. Dolreich D'Mello (+852 3107 2973, dolreich.d'mello@hdfcbank.com)
- Additional Contact: sheetal.oak@hdfcbank.com
Working Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Hong Kong Time)
Services: Currently limited to KYC Documents Attestation for retail customers; full corporate banking available. Licensed by Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) since August 2009.
UNITED KINGDOM
London - Representative Office
Address: Golden Cross House, 8 Duncannon Street, London WC2N 4JF, United Kingdom
Contact Details:
- Phone: +44 20 4534 7586 / 7587 / 7588
- Secondary: +44 20 7544 5106
- Email: hdfclondon@hdfcbank.com
- Contact Person: Prajit Rajagopalan
Working Hours: Monday-Friday (UK business hours)
Services: NRI housing loan services for Indian property purchases, home loan documentation, property investment advisory, banking coordination with India operations
Recent Change: Became HDFC Bank representative office in July 2023 following HDFC Limited merger
KENYA
Nairobi - Representative Office
Address: 4th Floor, Office No. 7, Park Suites, Parklands Road, Opposite Parklands Police Station, Nairobi, Kenya, P.O. Box 38807-00623
Contact Details:
- Phone: +254 709 734 000 / 004 / 005 / 006
- Email: Zabin.abdulla@hdfcbank.com
- Contact Person: Ms. Zabin Abdulla
Services: Customer liaison, market research, coordination for Kenya-based customers with India operations
QATAR Partnership Services
QNB-HDFC Bank Services
Service Locations: Available through Qatar National Bank (QNB) branches at Mesaieed, Ras Laffan, City Centre
Contact: (+974) 4407777 (QNB Customer Service)
Services: Dual banking facility, 24-hour remittance (5 QR fee), online trading in Indian markets, rupee mutual fund investments
Requirement: Must maintain QNB salary account
Advantages for NRIs
1. Physical Branch Access
Visit in-person for complex transactions, document verification, and relationship management. This matters when you need documents for NRI account opening verified locally.
2. Local Currency Handling
Dubai and Singapore branches handle multiple currencies efficiently. Better than constantly converting through currency exchanges.
3. Integrated Services
Open NRE and NRO accounts, access Indian mutual funds, and get home loans through one relationship.
4. Regional Expertise
Branch staff understand local regulations and DTAA benefits for your specific country.
👉 Tip: Dubai branch staff are particularly knowledgeable about UAE-India tax treaties and repatriation rules.
Downsides You Must Consider
1. Limited Investment Options
HDFC international branches focus on basic banking. For best NRI fixed deposits or tax-free options, you'll need to look elsewhere.
2. Currency Risk
Traditional NRE and NRO fixed deposits expose you to rupee depreciation. GIFT City fixed deposits offer USD denomination instead.
3. Hidden Charges
International branches often have higher hidden charges for NRI accounts compared to digital-first platforms.
4. Limited Hours
Most branches operate local banking hours, not 24/7 like digital platforms.
👉 Warning: Always compare total costs including forex charges, maintenance fees, and transaction costs before committing.
Step-by-Step How-To Open Account
Option 1: Visit Branch Directly
Documents Required:
- Indian passport with valid visa
- Overseas address proof
- PAN card (mandatory)
- Initial deposit (varies by branch)
Process:
- Visit nearest HDFC international branch
- Fill account opening form
- Submit documents for verification
- Bank officer witnesses signatures
- Account activation within 7-10 days
Option 2: Online Application
Perfect if no local branch exists:
- Visit HDFC Bank NRI portal
- Select account type (NRE vs NRO guide)
- Upload documents
- Video KYC call with bank officer
- Courier original documents
👉 Tip: Online process is faster, but NRI account online opening requires more documentation.
Key Service Classifications
Full Banking Branches (5):
- Singapore - Wholesale banking license (NEW October 2024)
- Hong Kong - Licensed bank (limited retail services)
- Bahrain - Conventional wholesale bank
- Dubai DIFC - Full banking services
- GIFT City, India - IFSC Banking Unit
Representative Offices (4):
- London - Home loan services for India property
- Dubai - NRI banking liaison
- Abu Dhabi - NRI banking liaison
- Kenya - Customer coordination and market research
Recent Developments 2024-2025
October 15, 2024: Singapore branch inauguration - HDFC Bank's most significant international expansion, upgrading from representative office to full wholesale banking branch with MAS license.
July 2023: Post-merger integration - London and Singapore offices transitioned from HDFC Limited to HDFC Bank following merger.
Core Banking Upgrade (July 2024): Enhanced platform for better performance and customer experience across all international operations.
International Customer Support
Global Support: +91-22-61606160 (for customers traveling overseas) USA NRI Line: +1-855-999-6061 India Toll-Free: 1800 1600 / 1800 2600
Department-Specific Emails:
- NRI Services: support@hdfcbank.com
- Loans: loansupport@hdfcbank.com
- Credit Cards: customerservices.cards@hdfcbank.com
Working Hours Note
All locations follow local business hours and observe local holidays. Middle East offices adjust schedules during Ramadan with reduced working hours (typically 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM).
International Balance Sheet Size: US$ 9.06 billion (March 2024)
Customer Base: 120+ million customers globally
Strategic Focus: Major financial centers, NRI-dense regions, international trade facilitation
Information verified as of January 2025 through official HDFC Bank sources, regulatory authorities, and press releases.
Final Recommendation
HDFC Bank's international branches work well for traditional NRI banking needs. Dubai branch leads in service quality for Gulf residents, while Singapore offers sophisticated corporate services.
However, for optimal returns and tax efficiency, consider GIFT City investments alongside traditional banking. USD fixed deposits at GIFT City offer tax-free returns and protection against rupee depreciation - something regular NRE FDs can't provide.
My suggestion: Use HDFC for basic banking relationships, but diversify investments through GIFT City platforms for better tax treatment.
Ready to explore tax-free USD investments that protect against currency risk? Join our WhatsApp community for weekly insights on NRI investment strategies.
Download Belong app to compare GIFT City FD rates with traditional NRE deposits and see the difference for yourself.
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