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Frequenty Asked Questions

NRI Student's Account FAQ's

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What is an NRI Student Account and who is eligible to open one?

An NRI Student Account is a Savings Account for students who are studying abroad. The NRI Student Account helps you to easily manage your tuition fees and daily expenditure. You are eligible if you are an NRI student with a valid student visa. You will be required to maintain a Monthly Average Balance of ₹ 5,000. For students with a regular visa, you need to provide an admission letter or identity card issued by the university for verification at the time of opening the account.

What documents are required to open an NRI Student Account?

Documentation for Students 

If applying from India or overseas, submit self-attested photocopies of: 

  • Passport (First and last four pages, with a clearly visible signature matching the form). 
  • Valid student visa or I-20 form (for non-face-to-face US applicants). 
  • PAN Card or Form 60

    • PAN or Form 60 as applicable for all types of accounts 
    • PAN to be verified from the issuing authority (NSDL) 
    • PAN acknowledgement number is mandatory in Form 60, if Indian income is above threshold limit 

 

Note: PAN is mandatory for the customer holding Indian Passport. 

  • FATCA/CRS Declaration
  • CKYC Annexure
  • Address proof – View full list here.

 

Additional Requirements (for overseas applications only): 

The additional Requirement is only for Non Face to Face account opening 

Non-Face-to-Face account opening: 

  • OVD (Officially Valid Documents) as Identity and address proof should be self-attested and certified by any one of the following authorities: 
    Authorised officials of overseas branches of Scheduled Commercial Banks registered in India – list of banks available in Universe. 
    Branches of overseas banks with whom Indian banks have relationships. – list of banks available in Universe 
    Notary Public abroad, 
    Court Magistrate, 
    Judge, 
    Indian Embassy/Consulate General in the country where the non-resident customer resides. 
    Note: 
    a) The KYC documents can also be notarized using online platform offered by various service provider. The online notarization only applicable for notary abroad. The process is subject to laws/regulation applicable to respective country/state. The detailed process will be documented in the Bank’s internal circular 12476. 
    b) Passport (Indian / Overseas) should be valid for at least 90 days at the time of onboarding NRI customers. In case of any exception, the request can be sent to product/compliance
  • First credit/payment (initial funding) should be from the customer's overseas bank account with another bank through cheque/Wire transfer/ FCC/ M2I /Exchange House (Vostro transfer).

 

PAN is mandatory for opening NRI account through non-face-to-face channel - PAN to be verified from the issuing authority (NSDL).

Current address to be verified with Positive Confirmation – Bank will verify the current address through positive confirmation by means such as address verification letter, contact point verification, deliverables, etc. before allowing operations in the account. 

  • Transactions shall be permitted only from the mobile number used for account opening - Alternate mobile number for transaction OTP/updates shall not be allowed (other than registered mobile number). Any request for change of mobile number will be as per the process mentioned in branch banking module. 
  • Non-Face-to-Face NRI account opening using identity verification agency - For the NRI customers opening Non-Face-to-Face account, the customer can also submit the self-attested KYC documents along with the account opening form, besides the regular account opening scrutiny, the account opening will be subject to Successful Verification from independent Identity Verification Agency. 
  • Risk Categorisation for NRI account opened through non-face-to-face channel - NRI accounts opened through Non-Face-to-Face channel will be categorized as high risk in CRC. Subsequently, enhanced monitoring is conducted until the identity of the customer is verified in face-to-face manner or through V-CIP.

How do I fund my NRI Student Account and what are the options available?

Funding your account can be done through cheque, Demand Draft (DD) or inward remittance methods like Money2India or wire transfers. For cheques, the signature must match the application form. For DDs, the purchaser’s name must be included. For inward remittance, the sender's name and country should align with the details on the account opening form. ICICI Bank ensures multiple funding options to suit international students’ varied financial circumstances.

What are the benefits of an NRI Student Account?

This account provides a comprehensive banking experience with features like 24/7 access to Phone Banking and Internet Banking, making transactions convenient no matter where you are. With an international ATM/Debit Card, students can withdraw local currency, shop globally and manage finances securely. Services like Money2India and wire transfers allow seamless fund transfers internationally, helping with tuition fees or supporting family back home. It is all about making life abroad easier.

What happens if I fail to maintain the required MAB?

If you do not maintain the Monthly Average Balance (MAB) of ₹ 5,000, ICICI Bank levies a non-maintenance charge of 6% of the shortfall or ₹ 500, whichever is lower.

How does the international ATM/Debit Card benefit students?

The international ATM/Debit Card offers convenience and security while managing global expenses. ICICI Bank ensures a seamless experience by providing robust security measures for safe transactions. Students travelling frequently or settling into a new country can rely on the Card’s accessibility and ease of use for their everyday financial needs.

What are the additional features of the NRI Student Account?

Beyond basic banking, the NRI Student Account allows students to open Fixed Deposits (FDs) and Recurring Deposits (RDs) for systematic savings. It also offers Money2World for global fund transfers in various currencies like USD, GBP and EUR, making tuition payments or international expenses hassle-free. With ICICI Bank’s services, students gain tools to manage their finances strategically while focusing on their studies abroad.