HDFC Bank is a leading bank in India and allows for international transfers for residents and non-residents (NRI). However, there are a few limitations and fees to keep in mind, and other options to consider, before starting an international transfer. Read on to learn more about how to send money to and from India with HDFC Bank.
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If you live overseas and want to remit or send money to India, HDFC can help - but only if you are an existing HDFC NRI customer. The available sending options from HDFC depend on your location. The bank provides remittance services for the following regions in the world:
Find your region and the sending options available on the HDFC NRI money transfer website. HDFC bank branches abroad can also help NRIs fund accounts in India. ¹
Here are the ways to send money to India with HDFC Bank, if you have an existing banking relationship.
An international wire transfer is the traditional way to send money from one bank account to another. Wire transfers are completed by the SWIFT network, which is a global system that connects banks around the world.
HDFC NRI customers can use a wire transfer to send money from their existing local bank account to India. You can expect to pay a transfer fee for the remittance and sometimes an exchange rate fee.
The exchange rate fee is when a bank sets its own exchange rate, which is higher than the mid-market rate, which is the exchange rate you see on Google and the one used by Wise for sending money to India.
When making a transfer, make sure you have all the bank details of your recipient. SWIFT transfers can typically take up to five business days to arrive in India, and HDFC will not charge the recipient any fees. ²
Foreign currency cheques and demand drafts can be physically sent to your HDFC branch in India. A letter of instruction with the account details of where the deposit should go must be sent along with the cheque. HDFC will collect the cheque, exchange it for Indian rupees and deposit the money into the appropriate account.
HDFC can collect cheques in foreign currencies, including:³
There may be additional currencies available; speak to your HDFC bank branch for confirmation.
The fees for the foreign currency cheque and demand draft will depend on the currency and the amount. For example, for foreign currency cheques from Europe, the fee is .25% of the Indian rupee value with a minimum fee of ₹250.⁴
You will also be charged the bank exchange rate, which may include a hidden fee and eat into your deposit. Foreign currency cheques can also take several days or weeks to clear, so it may be worth considering other options.
HDFC works with partner banks and exchange houses in specific geographic locations to make transfers easier for NRI customers. ⁵
If you are a resident of Singapore, you can use Quickremit, while African residents can use IndiaLink. Both options allow for same-day or instant credit to your HDFC bank account in India and low or no transfer fee.
As with most bank transfer services, you will likely pay an exchange rate fee. This means that your exchange rate can have a markup, which makes the rate more expensive than what you see on Google.
Want an exchange rate that has no extra or hidden fees? Meet Wise.
Wise: a convenient alternative for interntaional remittance
Send money to India the easy, fast and low-cost way with Wise. You can send money directly to local Indian bank accounts right from your home computer or the Wise mobile app. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate on every transfer, so you don’t lose money on hidden fees. And with just one upfront transfer fee, you’ll know exactly how much will arrive in India.
Send money to India with Wise 👉
And if you're living abroad, check out the Wise multi-currency account available for residents living in supported countries. Enjoy an account as worldly as you are and spend just like a local when you travel abroad with a linked debit card, while also paying less in fees.
If you are a Resident Indian looking to send money abroad, HDFC has the RemitNow service. You can access RemitNow through HDFC’s NetBanking, which makes it easy and convenient for existing account holders.
Here are the steps to send money with RemitNow:
HDFC charges a flat fee of ₹500 INR for amounts below $500 USD and its currency equivalent and ₹1,000 INR for amounts above. There is likely to be an exchange rate fee, too. ⁶
NRIs with an existing account can call HDFC for assistance at these phone numbers:⁷
| Resident country | Phone number |
|---|---|
| United States | 855-999-6061 |
| Canada | 855-999-6061 |
| Singapore | 800-101-2850 |
| Kenya | 0-800-721-740 |
| Other countries | +91 226 760 6161 / +91 226 000 6000 |
You can also email HDFC Bank at nri@hdfcbank.com.
Please see the Terms and Conditions for your region and visit our pricing page for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information on Wise products.
Sources used for this article:
Sources verified on 17 November 2023.
Cover photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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