Travelling abroad involves careful financial planning, and one key concern is knowing how much money we can carry in international flights from India. Whether you’re a student heading overseas for education, a traveller exploring new destinations, or a professional moving abroad for work, understanding currency regulations is essential.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set clear guidelines on the cash limits allowed for international travel, ensuring that passengers comply with financial laws and avoid unnecessary hassles at customs. So, how much cash can you legally carry on an international flight from India? Let’s dive into the details.?
Table of contents
- How Much Cash You Can Abroad Legally As Per RBI Guidelines?
- Country-wise Allowable Cash while Travelling Abroad
- How many Dollars Can You Carry from India?
- How much Cash to Carry on International Flights from India to the UK?
- How Much Forex Can I Carry Abroad?
- How Much Indian Currency Can Be Brought Back to India?
- What Happens If I Carry Cash Illegally?
- FAQs
How Much Cash You Can Abroad Legally As Per RBI Guidelines?
There is no limit on the amount of money you can carry abroad legally. However, countries have regulations to control the amount of physical money that can be transported across borders.
According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines-
- Indian travellers can carry up to USD 3,000 per trip.
- Any amount above USD 5,000 in cash or USD 10,000 (including forex instruments) must be declared at customs.
- Larger amounts should be carried via store value cards, traveler’s checks, or bank drafts.
For students, job seekers, or those travelling for medical purposes, different cash limits apply. Here’s a breakdown:
| Purpose | How much amount to carry legally? |
| Study Abroad | Foreign currency up to USD 30,000 up to the estimate from your study abroad institution (whichever is higher). Note: Documentary evidence is needed to indicate the requirement of the amount to be carried. |
| Job Abroad | Foreign exchange up to USD 5000 on the production of letters of employment. |
| Medical Purposes | Foreign currency up to USD 50,000 to meet medical expenses. If an amount of more than USD 50,000, banks are permitted to exchange the required amount. |
Country-wise Allowable Cash while Travelling Abroad
The allowable cash is dependent on the country you are travelling to. Various factors affect the amount of cash you can carry. We have created a listing of a few countries where allowable cash limits when travelling abroad are mentioned:
| Country | Max Cash Allowed per Person per Trip |
|---|---|
| UK | GBP 10,000 |
| Australia | AUD 10,000 |
| Canada | CAD 10,000 |
| EU Countries | EUR 10,000 |
| Thailand | USD 10,000 |
| Russia | USD 10,000 |
| Spain | EUR 10,000 |
| Italy | EUR 10,000 |
| USA | USD 3,000 |
How many Dollars Can You Carry from India?
If you are travelling to any foreign country that has dollars as its currency, you can carry any amount of cash. However, physical cash of up to USD 3,000 can be carried without any declarations. Any amount of cash over and above this limit must be declared to the customs.
- In the United States, if you are carrying USD 10,000 or more, you must declare it to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when entering or leaving the country.
- Similarly, Canada also allows travellers to carry any amount of cash. However, if you are carrying CAD 10,000 or more, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) upon arrival or departure.
- In Australia, if you are carrying AUD 10,000 or more, you must declare it to the Australian Border Force (ABF).
How much Cash to Carry on International Flights from India to the UK?
In the European Union, including the United Kingdom UK, travellers must declare cash amounts of EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU. This includes cash, traveller’s checks, and other negotiable instruments.
- Each EU member state may have its regulations regarding cash payments, with some countries imposing lower cash payment limits for transactions.
- For example, France has a limit of EUR 1,000, while Italy, Belgium, and Portugal have a limit of EUR 3,000.
Please Note: If you are not travelling abroad, but want to make international transfers, an individual can freely remit USD 250,000 in a financial year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of RBI.
How Much Forex Can I Carry Abroad?
You can carry an unlimited amount of foreign currency in Forex cards. But carrying up to USD 5000 and 10,000 would require declaring the amount to the customs. Also, the amount must be purchased or issued by the RBI-approved foreign exchange providers.
While carrying foreign currency in cash is limited, you can carry forex in other forms such as:
- Forex Cards: Unlimited amount can be carried (but amounts above USD 5,000 – USD 10,000 require declaration).
- Digital Payments: You can use debit/credit cards, traveller’s checks, bank drafts, or wire transfers for larger amounts.
To carry foreign currency cash abroad legally, one needs to purchase it from an authorized person against cash payments below INR 50,000. If the amount exceeds INR 50,000, the payments need to be made via a credit card/ debit card/ crossed cheque/ demand draft/ banker’s check/ prepaid card. Other payment methods won’t be considered.
Other means of carrying foreign currency include taking Forex Cards. They are a great way for students to manage their expenses and withdraw money from ATMs with minimal transaction costs.
You may consider IDFC First Bank Forex Cards, HDFC Bank Forexplus Cards, or other Cheapest Forex Cards options for students.
How Much Indian Currency Can Be Brought Back to India?
If you are travelling back to India from overseas (except Nepal or Bhutan), you can bring back currency notes up to an amount that does not exceed INR 25,000. From Nepal or Bhutan, only currency notes in denominations not exceeding INR 100 can be brought. If the traveller is not an Indian resident but is a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh or coming and going from either of these countries, are not allowed to carry Indian currency.
The table below helps in understanding the same clearly-
| Country Returning From | Amount |
| From Nepal or Bhutan | Denominations not exceeding INR 100 |
| From other countries | Amount not exceeding INR 25,000 |
| If the traveller is a citizen of Pakistan and Bangladesh or coming from and going to either of the countries | Not allowed to carry Indian currency. |
| From other countries (not a resident of Pakistan or Bangladesh) | Amount not exceeding INR 25,000, if the entry is through the airport only |
What Happens If I Carry Cash Illegally?
It is mandatory to declare foreign currency above the prescribed limit to customs abroad. It applies to both cash and negotiable instruments, such as traveler’s checks.
If you disregard the rules and regulations as stated by the RBI and carry cash illegally, it can have serious consequences. Exceeding the prescribed cash limits without declaration can result in penalties such as fines or confiscation of the extra cash.
- Your undeclared cash will be confiscated and you might be charged with heavy fines.
- In exceptional cases, legal proceedings can take place depending on the severity of the violation.
Also Read: Education student loans to study in the US are a fantastic option to bridge the gap and overcome the financial barrier. Learn all about Education Loans in the US for International Students.
Understanding how much cash you can carry on an international flight from India is crucial to avoid fines or legal issues. While the RBI allows USD 3,000 in cash, most countries require you to declare amounts above USD 10,000 (or equivalent currency). For safety, use forex cards or digital payment methods for larger amounts.
FAQs
You can carry up to USD 3,000 in cash. Any amount exceeding USD 5,000 (cash) or USD 10,000 (including forex instruments) must be declared at customs.
You can carry up to USD 3,000 in cash while travelling from India to the UK. If carrying more than GBP 10,000, you must declare it upon entry.
You can carry up to USD 3,000 in cash from India to Canada. If carrying CAD 10,000 or more, you must declare it at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
There is no set limit on foreign currency for students. However, if carrying more than USD 5,000 in cash, a customs declaration is required.
Yes, but anything above USD 3,000 must be carried in digital form like a Forex card, traveller’s check, or bank draft.
A traveller can carry cash in the form of coins and banknotes worth USD 3000 per visit. The balance amount can be carried in the form of traveller’s checks or banker’s drafts.
As per RBI guidelines, Indian travellers can carry up to INR 25,000 in cash on domestic flights. Higher amounts should be carried out via bank instruments.
A person returning to India from any country (except Nepal or Bhutan) can bring currency notes up to an amount not exceeding INR 25,000. From Nepal or Bhutan, only currency notes in denominations not exceeding INR 100 can be brought.
A traveller can carry USD 3000 per visit. However, one may also carry above USD 5000 subject to filling in the declaration form.
It is suggested to carry a low amount of cash and use a Forex card to manage expenses abroad. Carrying large amounts of cash may create unnecessary safety issues as you may lose it.
This was all about how much cash to carry abroad legally. In different countries. So, before getting off to your travel destination, or fulfilling study abroad plans, research the cash limits and know how much cash you take abroad or bring back to your home country.
To know about the loan application process, the best international bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
| Related Blogs |
| Currency Exchange in Victoria |
| Education Loans in West Bengal |
| Income Tax Rebate on Education Loan Under Section 80E |
Follow Us on Social Media
