What Income can NRI Repatriate?

I think the confusion comes from people using “NRI income” to describe several completely different things.

For example, if you have rent from an Indian property, interest from an Indian bank account, dividends, and an old accumulated NRO balance, those aren't necessarily treated identically for repatriation purposes.

RBI expressly permits remittance of current income such as rent, dividends, pension, and interest from an NRO account, subject to the applicable tax requirements.

For an NRO balance or eligible assets, the USD 1 million per financial year rule can become relevant. RBI's FAQ states that eligible NRI/PIO balances can be remitted up to USD 1 million per financial year, subject to conditions.

I wouldn't try to calculate your limit just from the amount in your bank account. The source of the money and whether it is current income or another type of eligible asset matters.

Your bank or CA should be able to tell you what tax forms and supporting documents apply to your particular remittance.

I had a similar situation but with pension and interest rather than rental income.

The RBI material was useful because it specifically mentions rent, dividends, pensions, and interest as examples of current income that may be remitted outside India.

However, I wouldn't interpret that as “any amount can be transferred without documentation.” The bank still needs to establish that the money is eligible for remittance and that applicable Indian taxes have been paid or provided for.

In my case, the bank asked for tax-related documentation before processing the transfer.

Also, don't mix up an NRE account balance with an NRO balance. The repatriation treatment is different. RBI's FAQ describes NRE balances as repatriable, while NRO balances have more specific restrictions, including the USD 1 million annual facility for eligible balances.

I'd first identify exactly where each type of income is sitting and then ask the bank which route applies.

I’m also an NRI in the US and receive rent from a property in India.

One distinction that helped me was understanding current income versus the accumulated NRO balance.

RBI's guidance specifically lists current income such as rent, dividends, pension and interest as amounts that can be remitted outside India, subject to the applicable tax requirements.

The USD 1 million facility is a separate concept. RBI's current FAQ says NRI/PIO balances in an NRO account can generally be remitted up to USD 1 million per financial year, along with other eligible assets, subject to the prescribed conditions.

So I wouldn't assume that your rental income automatically uses up the USD 1 million limit in the same way as an old accumulated NRO balance.

My bank asked for documentation showing the source of the funds and confirmation that applicable taxes had been dealt with.

I would ask your bank's NRI/remittance department exactly what documents they need before initiating the transfer. Different transactions can require different supporting documents.

For the repatriation from the NRO account, I have submitted some of the following documents given below: 

1. A request form to start the repatriation process. 
    
2. Filled A2 Form. 
    
3. Form 15CA, which is a self-declaration form for the accounts payment information for NRI.  
    
4. Form 15 CB, which is an acknowledgment form from the CA (Chartered Accountant) that you have paid all the tax on the repatriated money. 

Make sure you email all the copies of the essential documents, with self-attestation for the approval of the repatriation request.

Repatriation means the transfer of funds to another country. To transfer funds to a foreign country after becoming an NRI, you need to open an NRO (Non-resident Ordinary), NRE (Non-Resident External), and FCNR (Foreign currency Non-Resident) accounts in India. 
 

The NRO account is used by the NRIs for the funds earned in India, while the NRE account is used to keep your international income in an Indian savings account.  
 

In simple words, repatriation is a process to transfer your funds from your NRO account to your account in the residence country into your NRE account.