Which Bank Has the Fastest NRI Account Opening Process?

I went with SBI because I already had accounts there before moving to Canada.

The application itself wasn't difficult, but it definitely wasn't the fastest. Some paperwork had to be verified separately, and the overall process took around three weeks.

The advantage is SBI's large branch network whenever I'm in India, but if speed is your top priority, some of the private banks may have a more streamlined digital onboarding process. My cousin opened an account with Kotak Mahindra Bank and finished much sooner than I did.

From what I've seen, having all your KYC documents ready before applying makes a big difference regardless of the bank.

My experience with IDFC FIRST Bank was surprisingly smooth.

I applied from the UK and completed the entire onboarding digitally. The Video KYC only took a few minutes, and the account was activated within a few working days. They also explained the NRE and NRO account setup clearly during the process.

I chose them because they supported digital onboarding for eligible NRIs and didn't ask me to visit a branch. If you're looking for a fast online experience, they might be worth considering, although eligibility for Video KYC depends on your circumstances and documentation. 

I opened an ICICI NRE/NRO account while living in the UAE earlier this year.

The online application was straightforward, and most of the documents were uploaded through their portal. I had a short video verification, and my account became active in about a week. Internet banking credentials were available shortly after that.

One reason I chose ICICI was because I already used their banking app when I lived in India, so the transition felt familiar. I also found their remittance options and mobile banking fairly easy to use.

That said, one of my colleagues had the same bank but waited almost two weeks because additional address verification was required. So even within the same bank, timelines can vary.