Opening an NRE/NRO bank account in India from abroad can be challenging due to the stringent KYC verification requirements. Many applicants struggle with obtaining the necessary attestations from local notaries or the Indian Embassy.
This article outlines a practical solution to navigate the process, sharing a step-by-step guide based on a successful experience with HDFC Bank by Ganapathy Ram. By following these instructions, you can effectively fulfill the affidavit requirements and move forward with your NRI bank account application.
Affidavit Process
Here is a solution to open a NRE/NRO bank account in India from France. I understand that many of you are trying to do this and getting stuck on the KYC verification because you need an attestation from a notary or the Indian Embassy in France or other countries.
There are two primary things to keep in mind.
- The Embassy is not allowed to sign on the photocopies of your Indian or French documents. The Embassy has its reasons for not doing this.
- Many Notary officials in France might tell you they do not think they are authorized to do this. Some notaries do it, so you can check with your local notary.
How do you proceed then?
I will describe to you what I did and ideally, this was accepted by the HDFC bank to open the accounts.
- Write to the embassy with a clear subject line that states that you require an affidavit to open an NRE/NRO account and that based on the current RBI KYC rules, you require validation that you are holding the said Passport/Aadhar Card/Residency Permit/ PAN Card.
- Ideally, they would respond to you by saying that they will not sign the copies of the document but if you have explained your case in the email that you do not want attestation on copies but rather an affidavit; they would ask you to bring the copies of the documents with you with the original, along with a typed and filled affidavit (see image below for an example).
- Ideally, an appointment proposal will come with this email which you can ask to be modified if it does not suit you.
- On the day of the appointment go to the embassy, complete the document they give you, and pay 21 euros in cash only.
- Show the originals and get the affidavit attested. Also, do not forget to take a pen.
- This affidavit will/should be accepted by the Bank as the affidavit stamps clearly say that the embassy has physically seen the documents.
E-mail IDs of the Indian Embassy in Paris
Address: Consular Wing
- Embassy of India
20-22 Rue Alberic Magnard
Paris -75016 - Google Maps
Also, thank you Gokul Shivananda for the tip to try with the Embassy. Hope this helps when you need to do a similar operation.
Affidavit Example
