One must select the AD Banks for Form A2 remittances from India. The Reserve Bank of India allows them to process foreign remittance transactions and verify the information provided by the remitter on Form A2. They also verify the legitimacy of the transactions to ensure smoother and more efficient international money transfers. Let’s explore all about Authorised Dealer Banks and RBI guidelines, and understand the role of AD Banks in Form A2 remittances.
| Key Takeaways |
| Individuals must select a specific branch of an AD bank and fill out Form A2 for remittances. |
| AD banks act as intermediaries and ensure that all foreign transactions comply with the guidelines set forth by the RBI under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). |
| As of September 2024, a total of 100 Authorized Dealer Banks are listed with the RBI. |
Table of contents
Authorised Dealer (AD) Banks are financial institutions in India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) authorises them to conduct foreign exchange transactions. These banks play a critical role in facilitating international trade and investment by providing essential services.
AD banks offer various services currency exchange and remittances. These include providing competitive rates for currency exchange, fast transaction processing, and advisory services for customers engaging in international transactions.
Based on the nature of transactions, RBI categorises Authorised Dealer banks into two different categories-
- AD Category-1 Banks- This is the highest category of authorised dealers. They can engage in a wide range of foreign exchange activities. These include buying and selling currencies, facilitating outward remittances, issuing letters of credit and bank guarantees, and maintaining foreign exchange reserves.
- AD Category-2 Banks- These banks have limited permissions as compared to Category-1 banks. They can handle specific transactions, such as remittances for personal purposes, but do not have the same level of authority as AD Category-1 banks.
Also Read: Check here some of the most important terms related to international money transfer.
Functions of AD Banks as per RBI Guidelines
RBI lays down guidelines for foreign remittances under its Liberalised Remittance Scheme. As per the LRS scheme, individuals and businesses can remit money abroad for various purposes within the LRS limit of USD 250,000 per financial year. For this purpose, RBI introduces AD Banks to act as intermediaries and undertake all remittance transactions without their approval.
Here are the RBI guidelines for AD Banks for Form A2 remittances, including funds transfers via other means-
- Authorised Dealer (AD) Banks can process remittance transactions without needing prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India.
- AD Banks must ensure that the transaction falls within the current account transactions that are not restricted or prohibited.
- AD banks must verify that the transaction complies with rules and regulations and that it matches what the remitter has declared in Form A2.
Please note that while AD Banks check for compliance, the final responsibility lies with the remitter. They must ensure that all transactions adhere to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations.
Role of AD Banks in Form A2 Remittances
AD Banks play a crucial role in ensuring successful remittances based on Form A2. When a remitter wants to make international remittances, they must choose a branch of an AD Bank to handle the transaction. To qualify for this transaction, the remitter should have maintained a bank account with the bank for at least one year before making the remittance.
However, if the remitter is new to the bank, the AD bank must conduct thorough checks to ensure the legitimacy of the account opening and operation. The applicant needs to fill out Form A2, which is a mandatory document prescribed by the RBI.
The form states that the sender confirms the purpose of the remittance and that the funds belong to them, ensuring they will not be used for any prohibited activities. After initiating the transaction with the AD Bank, you can later check the remittance status with Form A2.
The given points will you understand the role of AD Banks in Form A2 remittances-
- AD Banks will rely on the information provided by the remitter while filling out Form A2, which outlines the nature of the transactions.
- AD Banks will certify that the remittance aligns with RBI guidelines.
- AD Banks will examine the documents attached to Form A2 for resident individuals who wish ‘other funds’ in addition to their entire earnings and salary.
Also Read: Check out this blog to make the cheapest international money transfers abroad.
List of AD Banks in India
The RBI and the Foreign Exchange Dealer’s Association of India provide the list of AD Banks. All foreign remittances must occur through genuine ADs. Each AD is assigned a unique 14-digit Authorized Dealer Code (AD Code). As of September 2024, the RBI lists a total of 100 Authorized Dealer Banks. You may refer to the complete list on the official website.
Public Sector Banks
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- State Bank of India
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
Private Sector Banks
- AU Small Finance Bank Limited
- AXIS Bank Limited
- Bandhan Bank Limited
- City Union Bank Limited
- CSB Bank Limited
- DCB Bank Limited
- Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited
- ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd
- HDFC Bank Limited
- ICICI Bank Limited
- IDBI Bank Ltd
- IDFC FIRST Bank Limited
- IndusInd Bank Limited
- Karnataka Bank Limited
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited
- RBL Bank Limited
- Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited
- The Dhanalakshmi Bank Limited
- The Federal Bank Limited
- The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited
- The Karur Vysya Bank Limited
- The South Indian Bank Limited
- Unity Small Finance Bank Ltd
- YES Bank Limited
This was all about the Authorised Dealer Banks. To learn more about forex, education loans, the best bank accounts for students, and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your experience with studying abroad.
FAQs
Authorized Dealer (AD) banks are financial institutions authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). They can conduct foreign exchange transactions, facilitating cross-border payments and remittances.
Form A2 is a document issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to authorize outward remittances. These include various purposes like education, medical treatment, and business travel.
AD category I and II banks can process Form A2 remittances.
AD Category I banks can handle a wide range of foreign exchange transactions. On the other hand, AD Category II banks have limited permissions for specific current account transactions.
Authorized Dealers facilitate foreign exchange transactions. They ensure compliance with RBI regulations and provide services such as currency conversion and outward remittances.
There are approximately 100 Authorised Dealer banks in India as of September 2024. These are authorized by the RBI to conduct foreign exchange transactions and each of them has a unique 14-digit AD code.
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