You've spent the last two hours on bank websites, each claiming different document requirements for NRI accounts.
One says PAN card is mandatory, another says Form 60 is fine. Some mention "notarization," others talk about "attestation."
Then you find a WhatsApp group where someone says they opened an account with just three documents, while another person claims they needed fifteen.
Here's what's really happening: There's no single "NRI document list" that works for everyone. Requirements vary by bank, account type, your country of residence, and even your existing banking relationship.
The Common Myths About NRI Account Documents
Myth 1: "All documents need to be notarized by Indian embassy"
False. Many banks accept self-attestation for existing customers or if you visit India in person. Embassy notarization is just one option, not the only one.
Myth 2: "PAN card is mandatory for all NRI accounts"
Wrong. For NRE accounts and FCNR deposits (tax-free), you can use Form 60 instead of PAN if you declare no taxable income in India. PAN is mandatory for NRO accounts since Indian-sourced income is taxable.
Myth 3: "You need separate address proof for India AND overseas"
Partially true. Some banks accept just overseas address proof, while others want both. It depends on their internal policies.
Myth 4: "Document requirements are the same for all banks"
Completely false. Private banks like HDFC have different requirements than government banks like SBI.
Myth 5: "If documents get rejected, you start from scratch"
Not usually. Most rejections are fixable - wrong attestation, expired address proof, or signature mismatches can be corrected.
The biggest myth? That document collection is the hardest part.
It's not.
The real challenge is knowing which specific combination works for your bank and situation.
What the Rules Actually Say: RBI Regulations Simplified
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sets the basic framework, but banks interpret it differently. Here's what RBI actually mandates:
Mandatory for ALL NRI accounts:
- Valid passport or other Officially Valid Document (OVD) like driving licence/voter ID (identity proof)
- Current visa/residence permit or OCI/PIO card (NRI/PIO status proof),
- Address proof from country of residence (e.g., utility bill/bank statement), Recent photographs (passport-size).
Additional requirements based on account type:
- NRO accounts: PAN card (since Indian income is taxable)
- NRE accounts: PAN card OR Form 60 (since income is tax-free)
- FCNR accounts: PAN card OR Form 60 (foreign currency, tax-free)
Attestation rules: Documents must be "verified" when submitted remotely. This can be done by:
- Indian embassy/consulate
- Authorized bank officials
- Notary public (in some countries)
- The bank itself (if you visit in person)
👉 Tip: RBI doesn't specify HOW documents should be attested, just that they should be "verified with original." This flexibility is what causes confusion.
Don't stress - RBI allows multiple verification methods for remote submissions, but ensure the attester writes "verified with original," signs, stamps, and dates each page.
Also Read - NRE vs NRO vs FCNR
How Document Requirements Really Work: Bank-by-Bank Reality
State Bank of India (SBI)
What they actually need:
- Passport (first, last, and visa pages)
- Current visa/work permit
- Overseas address proof (utility bill, max 3 months old)
- Indian address proof (optional but recommended)
- 2 passport photographs
Attestation requirements:
- Self-attestation if visiting branch in India
- Embassy/consulate attestation if applying remotely
- Dubai/Abu Dhabi residents: SBI representative office can help
SBI's unique requirement: They need Indian address proof for "communication purposes" but won't reject applications without it.
ICICI Bank
Core documents:
- Passport (all relevant pages)
- Valid visa/residence permit
- Overseas address proof (bank statement or utility bill)
- 2 recent photographs
- PAN card (preferred) or Form 60
Attestation options:
- Self-attestation for existing ICICI customers
- Local bank manager (if bank has Indian presence)
- Embassy/consulate for new customers
ICICI's advantage: They accept Emirates NBD or ADCB manager attestation in UAE, which is faster than embassy.
HDFC Bank
Minimum document list:
- Valid passport
- Current visa
- Proof of NRI/PIO status (visa usually sufficient)
- Address proof (overseas OR Indian, not both)
- Passport photographs
Special cases:
- Saudi-based customers need additional employment certificate
- Students need university enrolment proof
- Seafarers need Continuous Discharge Certificate
HDFC's flexibility: If signature on form doesn't match passport, they provide Section P to explain rather than rejecting.
Axis Bank
Standard requirements:
- Passport and visa copies
- Overseas address proof
- Indian address proof (preferred)
- PAN card or Form 60
- 2 photographs
Attestation accepted from:
- Indian embassy/consulate
- Scheduled commercial bank officials
- Notary public (country-specific)
Bank of Baroda
Simplified list:
- Passport and residence visa/ ID card / OCI/PIO card
- Utility bills (not older than 3 months for most, up to 6 months in some cases)
- Passport-size photographs
- Account opening form (available on website)
BOB's advantage: Minimum average quarterly balance is ₹10,000 for standard NRI savings accounts (rural, urban, or metro), with higher amounts like ₹50,000–₹500,000 for premium accounts - check your scheme!
No penalties for non-maintenance in standard accounts since July 1, 2025, but premium accounts face charges (e.g., ₹20–₹1,000 + GST) if the balance dips.
Understanding Address Proof Requirements: The Real Story
This is where 40% of applications get stuck. Here's what banks actually accept:
For Overseas Address Proof:
✅ Accepted by all banks: Utility bills (electricity, gas, water), bank statements, lease agreements
✅ Accepted by most: Government-issued residence permits, council tax bills (UK), phone bills
❌ Not accepted: Hotel bills, temporary accommodation proof, credit card statements
Age limits:
- Most banks: Maximum 3 months old
- Some government banks: Up to 6 months acceptable
For Indian Address Proof:
✅ Accepted: Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license, utility bills, passport
✅ Also works: Property tax receipts, bank statements from Indian accounts
❌ Avoid: Ration cards (most banks don't accept), old utility bills (must be \<3 months, or \<6 months for some banks).
Pro tip: If you don't have recent Indian address proof, use your parents' or spouse's address with a letter authorizing correspondence.
The PAN Card Confusion: When You Need It vs When You Don't
This creates the most confusion online. Here's the definitive answer:
PAN Card is MANDATORY when:
- Opening NRO accounts (Indian income is taxable)
- Planning to invest in stocks/mutual funds later
- Property transactions over ₹10 lakh
- Any scenario where you'll file Indian tax returns
PAN Card is OPTIONAL (Form 60 works) when:
- Opening NRE accounts with only repatriable foreign income
- FCNR deposits in foreign currency
- Simple savings without Indian taxable income or investment plans
Form 60 is fine for NRE/FCNR if you declare no taxable Indian income, but PAN is required if you later add investments or NRO elements - apply early to avoid delays.
Real-world advice: Get PAN card anyway. It takes 2-3 weeks and costs $30-40. Having it simplifies future banking and eliminates this confusion.
Form 60 alternative: Simple declaration form stating you don't have PAN. Banks provide this, but some prefer you to have attempted getting PAN first.
Also Read - Best NRE Savings Accounts for UAE NRIs - Complete Guide
Attestation Requirements: Simpler Than You Think
Option 1: Indian Embassy/Consulate
- Most reliable but slowest (10-15 days)
- Costs $15-25 per document
- Required for most government banks
Option 2: Local Bank Officials
- Faster (same day)
- Often free if you're a customer
- Works for: Emirates NBD (UAE), Bank of America (USA), HSBC (multiple countries)
Option 3: Authorized Notary
- Country-specific availability
- Costs $5-15 per document
- Check with your bank if they accept local notaries
Option 4: In-Person Verification
- Visit bank branch in India
- Show original documents
- No attestation needed
- Takes 30 minutes
What "attestation" actually means: The official must write "Verified with original," sign, stamp, and date each page. That's it. Not complicated.
Common Document Rejection Reasons and How to Fix Them
1. Expired Address Proof (35% of rejections)
- Fix: Get fresh utility bill or bank statement
- Prevention: Check dates before applying
2. Poor Attestation (25% of rejections)
- Fix: Ensure attesting authority mentions designation and date
- Prevention: Ask embassy/notary about specific format
3. Signature Mismatch (20% of rejections)
- Fix: HDFC provides Section P form, others may need fresh signature specimen
- Prevention: Practice your passport signature before signing documents
4. Unclear Document Scans (15% of rejections)
- Fix: Rescan at 300 DPI, ensure all corners visible
- Prevention: Use office scanner, not phone camera
5. Missing Pages (5% of rejections)
- Fix: Submit complete passport (first, last, visa pages)
- Prevention: Use bank's document checklist
Bank-Specific Document Variations That Matter
For UAE Residents:
- Emirates NBD statements work as address proof for most banks
- UAE ID accepted by ICICI and HDFC
- SBI Dubai office can verify documents locally
For USA Residents:
- Social Security Number requested by some banks (optional)
- State-issued ID often required alongside passport
- Bank of America/Chase statements widely accepted as address proof
For UK Residents:
- Council tax bills preferred over utility bills
- NHS number sometimes requested
- Lloyds/Barclays statements accepted by Indian banks
For Saudi Arabia Residents:
- Iqama (residence permit) mandatory
- Employment certificate from Saudi employer required
- Embassy attestation usually mandatory (limited local options)
For Singapore Residents:
- NRIC or work permit required
- Local bank attestation accepted by most Indian banks
- CPF statements can serve as address proof
Special Categories: Additional Documents Required
For Students:
- University enrolment letter
- I-20 form (USA) or equivalent student visa/work permit
- Student visa clearly showing validity dates
- Sometimes: Parental consent if under under 18 (not always for 18-21)
For Seafarers:
- Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
- Valid employment contract with shipping company or mariner's declaration
- FEMA declaration for NRI status
- Special seafarer visa work permit if applicable
- Port of engagement documentation
For Business Owners:
- Business registration in country of residence
- Tax identification number
- Company employment letter (for visa purposes)
- Business bank statements (last 6 months)
For Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) / Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs):
- OCI card (PIO cards merged into OCI since 2015),
- Foreign passport,
- Proof of Indian origin if OCI not held (e.g., parent's Indian passport/birth certificate), - No ancestry docs if OCI card is provided.
Document Organization: The System That Works
Physical Organization:
- Original documents: Keep in a dedicated folder
- Photocopies: Make 3 sets (bank, backup, courier)
- Scanned copies: Save in cloud storage with clear naming
- Attestation tracking: Note where/when each document was attested
Digital Organization:
- Folder structure: "NRI Banking/Bank Name/Document Type"
- File naming: "LastName_DocumentType_Date" (e.g., "Sharma_Passport_Dec2025")
- Multiple formats: PDF for applications, JPEG for online uploads
- Backup: Google Drive + local storage
Application Submission:
- Create covering letter with your reference number
- Include document checklist (tick off each item)
- Use padded envelope for photos
- Keep tracking receipt
Timeline Management: When to Prepare What
3 Months Before Application:
- Get PAN card process started (longest timeline)
- Collect address proofs (ensure they'll be under 3 months old)
- Update passport if expiring within a year
1 Month Before:
- Get documents attested (embassy appointments need time)
- Prepare high-quality scans
- Research specific bank requirements
Application Week:
- Fill forms carefully (one mistake restarts the process)
- Double-check signature consistency
- Prepare courier package with tracking
After Submission:
- Follow up weekly (not daily)
- Keep attestation receipts
- Prepare for potential document clarifications
Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Spend
Attestation costs:
- Indian embassy: $15-25 per document
- Local notary: $5-15 per document
- Bank official: Often free
Document costs:
- Fresh utility bills: Usually free
- Bank statements: $5-10 per statement
- Passport photos: $10-20 for set
Application fees:
- Most NRI accounts: No opening fees
- PAN card (if needed): $30-40
- Courier services: $20-50
Total typical cost: $50-150 depending on attestation method and location.
What This Means for You: Your Action Plan
The document game has changed in 2025. Banks are more flexible than their websites suggest, but you need to know which flexibility applies to your situation.
If you're in UAE:
- Start with ICICI or HDFC (accept local attestation)
- Use Emirates NBD statements as address proof
- Visit SBI Dubai office if you want government bank
If you're in USA:
- SBI has the most established process
- Bank of America attestation works for most banks
- East Coast has better embassy access
If you're anywhere else:
- Check if your country has Indian bank branches
- Embassy route is most reliable but slower
- Consider in-person account opening during India visits
Your immediate next steps:
- Choose your bank based on location and document acceptance
- Get PAN card process started (unless you're certain you don't need it)
- Collect address proofs that will be fresh when you apply
- Identify attestation method (embassy vs local bank vs in-person)
Ready to get your documents in order? jJoin our NRI community where members share real-time updates about document acceptance at different banks.
Also Read - Top Indian Banks for Online NRI Account Opening
Disclaimer: Document requirements change frequently and vary by bank. Always verify current requirements directly with your chosen bank before starting the application process. This guide provides general guidance based on common patterns and should not replace bank-specific instructions.
