Moving sale proceeds out of India

The sale is done and the money is in India. What has to be true before I can send it abroad?

The money arrives as rupees, in an NRO account

Sale consideration to a non-resident is credited in rupees. That balance is not automatically remittable: it is subject to foreign-exchange rules, and the bank releasing it must be satisfied that the tax position is settled and documented.

Evidence is the whole process

Repatriation is an evidence exercise — the deed, proof of the original acquisition, the tax paid or a certificate of nil liability, and the chartered accountant's certification. Where the property was inherited or gifted, the chain of ownership has to be shown, because what may be taken out depends on how the asset was acquired and for how much.

Time is part of the design

Banks differ in how long they take, and certification cannot begin until the withholding position is final. The practical lesson from the files we have seen: start the certification the week the deed registers, not the week the money is needed.

Ask these, in this order

Which documents does my bank require, in what form, and from which professional?
Is the acquisition cost of this property evidenced — original deed and payment trail?
Is the withholding position final, and has the buyer deposited what they withheld?
How long does this bank take in practice, and does it need originals or certified copies?

What this page does not cover

Remittance limits, which change, or whether a specific amount may be repatriated
Computation of gains, or treaty relief
Bank timelines, which vary

General information, dated October 2026, not tax or legal advice. Confirm every figure with a chartered accountant before you act.

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