Following categories of Indians are eligible to be called Non Resident Indians
A person resident outside India who is a citizen of India i.e.

  • Indian citizens who proceed abroad for employment or for carrying on any business or vocation or for any other purpose in circumstances indicating indefinite period of stay outside India.
  • Indian citizens working abroad on assignments with Foreign Governments, Government Agencies or International / Multinational Agencies like United Nations Organisation(UNO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank.
  • Officials of Central and State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings deputed abroad on assignments with Foreign Government Agencies / Organisations or posted to their own offices including Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad.

A person of Indian origin who is a citizen of any other country other than Bangladesh or Pakistan, if

  • He, at any time, held an Indian passport or
  • He or either of his parents or any of his grand parents was a citizen of India by virtue of Constitution of India or Citizenship Act 1955 (57 of 1955)
  • The person is a spouse of an Indian Citizen or a person referred to in sub clause b (i) or (ii) above.

Students going abroad for studies are treated as Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and are eligible for all the facilities available to NRIs under FEMA