A resident of Saudi Arabia can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account, covering inheritance, sale proceeds and other Indian income, once Indian tax is paid and Form 15CA and, where required, a chartered accountant's Form 15CB are filed. NRE balances can be remitted without that limit. Banks will ask for proof of source, such as a succession certificate, sale deed or will.
- Document route
- Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Saudi time all year (no daylight saving)
- NRE and FCNR
- Freely repatriable
- NRO and assets
- USD 1 million per financial year
Repatriation of Funds from Saudi Arabia: how it works
We begin by mapping where the money comes from. Sale proceeds need the registered sale deed and proof that tax was deducted; inheritance needs the death certificate and a will, probate or succession certificate; rent needs the lease and tax returns. A chartered accountant reviews whether Indian tax has been paid and issues Form 15CB if needed. You then file Form 15CA online and instruct your bank, either in person through an attorney or by its NRI service desk.
Banks differ in what they ask for, and a missing document is the usual cause of delay. Where an inheritance came from a parent who was resident in India, the bank may also want a letter showing your relationship and the other heirs' shares. Sale proceeds of residential property bought with foreign exchange can be repatriated for up to two properties, and the original purchase records help. The money then reaches your Saudi bank account, where it is not taxed again as Saudi Arabia does not tax individual income.
What clients in Saudi Arabia should know
- Saudi banks may ask for the source of large incoming transfers, so keep the Indian sale deed, succession papers and Form 15CA ready to show your Saudi bank too.
- Converting an inherited NRO deposit to rupee fixed deposits does not reduce the tax on interest; the treaty with Saudi Arabia may lower the rate if you hold a Saudi tax residency certificate.
- If you plan to return to India permanently, consider whether moving the money out now is necessary, because your status and accounts will change on return.
Step by step from Saudi Arabia
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Saudi Arabia, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Saudi Arabia
Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Saudi Arabia where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Saudi Arabia. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Repatriation of Funds, or see all services for clients in Saudi Arabia and the Cross-Border Tax & Money practice area.
Questions from clients in Saudi Arabia
Is the USD 1 million limit per person or per account?
It applies per person in each financial year, across all NRO accounts and eligible assets together.
Do I need to come to India to sign the bank forms?
Usually not. Most banks accept instructions from their NRI customers by signed letter or online banking, and Form 15CA is filed online.
My father left me money in a savings account. Can it go straight to Saudi Arabia?
It must first be transmitted to you under the bank's claim procedure, normally into your NRO account, and then remitted after the forms are filed.