In brief
A permanent return changes several obligations on different dates. Do not assume a single 182-day rule controls banks, immigration and income tax, or that every returnee receives three tax-free RNOR years.
Start with Income Tax Department: Non-resident tax FAQs (opens in a new tab)
Your next steps
0 of 5 steps complete · Next: Assess tax residence each year
Assess tax residence each year
Next stepThe Income-tax Act, 2025 applies to tax years beginning on or after 1 April 2026; earlier periods use the 1961 Act. Work out residence and RNOR/NOR eligibility from your travel and prior-year history. A permanent return should not automatically use the exception for a visit to India.
Notify Indian banks promptly
FEMA residence is separate from income-tax day counts. On the relevant return/status change, NRE balances should be redesignated resident or transferred to eligible RFC accounts; NRO accounts may be redesignated resident. FCNR(B) deposits may continue to maturity at the contracted rate subject to conditions, then move to the appropriate resident/RFC account. Confirm dates and instructions in writing.
Inventory foreign holdings
FEMA generally permits retaining qualifying foreign currency, securities and overseas immovable property acquired while resident outside India, or inherited from a person resident outside India. Keep costs, acquisition dates, income and sale records. Permission to hold an asset does not determine its Indian tax treatment.
Review income and reporting
ROR generally brings worldwide-income taxation and applicable foreign-asset reporting. RNOR is not an exemption for every foreign receipt. Review pensions, gratuity and equity awards by scheme, treaty and payment/vesting dates before transactions. Use the return instructions for the relevant tax year.
Complete the family transition
Check each family member’s passport, OCI/visa, health insurance and school records. Update addresses, nominations, wills and powers of attorney. Maintain a list of departure-country obligations still open.
Suggested preparation sequence. Your authority may require a different order. Progress stays on this device.
What to have ready
0 of 4 preparedKeep documents in your own secure records. Tick what you have; nothing is uploaded.
Model the decision with your own figures
Prepare the dates, currencies, costs and amounts you know. Keep tax eligibility, provider access and uncertain assumptions on your adviser’s question list. The calculators show those assumptions explicitly.
For a return to India, add education, parents’ support, healthcare, partner income and locked funds to the household timeline. Bring supporting-tool figures into it only after reviewing timing, currency and overlap.
Official services for this task
- Find a central department, district office or official contact
The national directory links government websites and contact directories, including central ministries, state and union-territory administrations, districts and Indian missions.
India · directory · Official listing read; linked procedures not reviewed · Checked 2026-10-02 - Identify your district, tehsil, village, panchayat or municipality
LGD provides state-maintained administrative units and codes for districts, sub-districts, villages, blocks, rural and urban local bodies, and wards.
India · administrative directory · Official listing read; linked procedures not reviewed · Checked 2026-10-02 - Look up panchayat plans, works, accounts and assets
The ministry describes eGramSwaraj as a system for panchayat profiles, development planning, physical and financial progress, accounting and asset records.
India · panchayat information · Official page read · Checked 2026-10-02
Find government services, forms and local offices
Selected coverage; source access and geographic limits are shown on each entry.
Questions to take to an adviser
- Which status changes on which date under tax law and FEMA?
- Which foreign income and disclosures apply in this tax year?
- What must be done before withdrawing, selling or transferring?
Who can help
A cross-border tax adviser, your banks and relevant immigration or legal specialists.
Check an adviser before paying or signingSources & review limits
Published by NRIdisha. Prepared with AI assistance. No individual author or qualified professional reviewer is credited for this guide.
Official sources support the statements they address. They do not certify this guide or your eligibility. Open the source and check current amendments before acting.
Income Tax Department (opens in a new tab) · Reserve Bank of India (opens in a new tab) · National Portal of India (opens in a new tab)
Residency exceptions, RNOR and the transition between the 1961 and 2025 Acts.
Nonresident accounts: return to India; confirm the conditions for your circumstances.
Retaining qualifying foreign assets under FEMA; confirm the conditions for your circumstances.
Foreign-asset and income reporting; use the form instructions for the applicable tax year.
Keep this page’s title, the exact statement and the official source. Email them to support@nridisha.com. Do not include personal documents.