What is NRI non-repatriation?

An NRI maintains an NRO account to manage his Indian income received in the form of rent, dividend, pension, etc. The funds held in NRO account cannot be taken by NRI easily to his country of residence. This control is known as non-repatriation and the NRO account is known as a non-repatriable account.

An NRI is allowed to invest in India with rupee funds held in NRO account. The funds from this investment cannot be easily converted to any foreign currency nor can be taken back by the NRI to his country of residence. Such investments are known as investments on non-repatriation basis. RBI has permitted NRIs to invest in a range of investment options on a non-repatriation basis. This includes Stocks, Derivatives, Mutual Funds, Bonds, NPS and IPO, etc.