How to send money to India in 2026: up to $2,500 at a time to a private person or to an account with no limit and a purpose code

India accepts money from abroad with no amount limit: every transfer carries a payment purpose code, and the money transfer system pays up to $2,500 at a time, 30 times a year per person. A gift from a relative is tax-free; from others, if it stays within $520 (50,000 rupees) a year.

In 2026 money can be sent to India by bank transfer to the recipient's account at an Indian bank with no amount limit, or through the money transfer system: up to $2,500 per transfer and up to 30 transfers a year to one recipient. Through the transfer system an amount over 50,000 rupees ($520) is credited to the recipient's account, so for large sums an account at an Indian bank is opened in advance, and every transfer is sent with a payment purpose code.

Dollar amounts are at the European Central Bank rate on 7 October 2026, 96.73 rupees per dollar, rounded up; thresholds that Indian law sets in dollars are given as they are. The rules were checked on 8 October 2026.

Ways to send money to India on 8 October 2026

How to send money to a private person in India

For money to family and for living in India there are two routes. The money transfer system works only with personal transfers: family maintenance and foreign tourists who are in India. Payments for property, investments, donations, goods and topping up accounts of Indian citizens abroad go by bank transfer to an account with a purpose code. The recipient comes with an identity document, and an amount over 50,000 rupees is credited to their account or paid by cheque.

A foreigner who is currently travelling in India can be sent money through the same system: the rules directly allow transfers to foreign tourists. The tourist collects the money with a passport and a valid visa, and for a large amount it is more convenient to open a non-resident account for the duration of the visit (more on it below).

The second route is a bank transfer to the recipient's account, and for large amounts it is the only one. The transfer needs the recipient's full name, an account number of 9 to 18 digits, the 11-character bank branch code and the bank's international code. An Indian bank processes every incoming transfer with a payment purpose code: family maintenance, a gift, payment for a service, investment. The code is chosen by the purpose the sender wrote, so the purpose must match the real one.

On request the bank issues a certificate of receipt of money from abroad. It is worth taking it straight away: the certificate is needed for the tax office, for a home purchase by a resident and to lawfully send the money back later. Not sure which route suits your amount and recipient? Find out the transfer terms from our manager: they will suggest both the route and the payment purpose code.

Rupees to an account: which currency to send money to India in

An Indian bank credits a transfer from abroad to the recipient's rupee account: if the money came in dollars, euros or another currency, the bank converts it into rupees itself at its rate on the day of crediting. So for a large amount you compare not only the sender's fee but also the receiving bank's rate: the difference in rate can be bigger than the fee.

On 11 July 2022 the Reserve Bank of India allowed settlements in rupees through special accounts that Indian banks open for banks of other countries, and since August 2025 such accounts have been opened without separate permission from the regulator. This mechanism was created to pay for exports and imports, projects and investments, so it does not directly suit a private person sending money to family.

Studies and medical treatment in India are paid by bank transfer to the account of the university or clinic against the invoice they issue. The purpose states the invoice number, the student's or patient's name and the period, and the bank processes the payment with the purpose code for education or medical services. Such payments raise fewer questions than a transfer to a private person without explanation.

A transfer to a foreigner in India: which account it is credited to

A foreigner who has come to India can open a current or savings non-resident account. It may be topped up only by transfer from abroad or with currency they brought in and declared. On departure the bank converts the balance into foreign currency and pays it out if the account was open for no longer than 6 months and received no money from India other than interest. If the account was used longer, permission to take out the balance is requested from a regional office of the Reserve Bank of India.

A foreigner who lives and works in India opens a regular resident account with a passport, visa and registration. The bank asks for an Indian tax number for the account, and those who do not have one fill in a separate form with an explanation. A regular resident account suits a foreigner, while separate accounts for Indian citizens and people of Indian origin abroad are run by banks under their own rules.

Tax in India on money from abroad

A gift from a relative is tax-free for any amount. The law counts as relatives the recipient's spouse, the brothers and sisters of the recipient, of their spouse and of their parents, as well as direct ancestors and descendants of the recipient and the spouse. Gifts from other people are taxed as the recipient's income if they add up to more than 50,000 rupees ($520) in a year, and then the whole amount is taxed, not just the excess.

Your own money sent to your own account is not income. An Indian tax resident pays tax on worldwide income, so interest on a foreign deposit and rent from a flat abroad are shown in the tax return. Rates and residence rules are on the taxes in India page.

Buying a flat in India: who can and how to pay

A foreigner may buy a home in India when they live in the country for more than 182 days a year on an employment or business visa and intend to stay; a foreigner living outside India receives property by inheritance from a person who lived in the country. Citizens of a number of neighbouring countries need separate permission from the Reserve Bank of India. Payment is made by bank transfer with a payment purpose code: all property payments go this way. Details of the deal are in the article buying a flat in India.

The amount of a transfer to India: from $2,500 to an account only

• Up to $2,500. The money transfer system is enough: an amount over 50,000 rupees arrives in the recipient's account. The bank checks the identity document and the purpose.
• From $2,500 to $5,200 (500,000 rupees). Only a bank transfer to an account. The bank chooses the payment purpose code and may ask who the sender is and why they are paying.
• Over $5,200. The bank reports every cross-border transfer over 500,000 rupees to India's financial intelligence unit. For a large amount, documents on the origin of the money and the purpose are prepared: a contract, a school or clinic invoice, proof of kinship for a gift.

How to collect documents on the origin of money is covered in the article proof of the source of funds, and large transfers from a property sale in the article moving home sale proceeds abroad. Preparing a transfer from $100,000 for living or business in India? Our manager will explain which documents an Indian bank will ask for, and all lawful ways to move capital are on the capital relocation page.

Money from India back home and to other countries

Taking money out of India is stricter than bringing it in. A resident sends up to $250,000 abroad per financial year. A person of Indian origin living abroad takes out up to $1 million a year from their non-resident account. A foreigner is paid the balance of an account opened for the duration of a visit on departure, and salary earned in India is sent home through a bank against income documents. Our manager will check the route for your amount and case.

Sending money to other countries in Asia and the Middle East

• How to send money to the UAE
• How to send money to Thailand
• How to send money to Bhutan
• How to send money to Japan
• How to send money to Sri Lanka
• How to send money to Nepal

Routes for moving large capital, documents and costs step by step are on the capital relocation page.

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