How to Identify / Decide the Customer is NRI? & Can an NRI Open New Accounts in Post Office (India)?

1. How to Identify / Decide the Customer is NRI ?


NRI (Non-Resident Indian) = Indian citizen who is residing abroad for employment, business, studies, or indefinite stay.


You can identify them by:

• Indian Passport (compulsory)

• Valid Visa / Residence / Work Permit

• Overseas Address Proof (bank statement, utility bill, ID issued abroad)

• Declaration of residential status (Resident / NRI / OCI, etc.)

2. Can an NRI Open New Accounts in Post Office (India)?


👉 No. As per India Post Savings Bank (POSB) rules and Ministry of Finance guidelines, Post Office Savings Schemes are meant only for Residents of India.


NRI customers are not eligible to open new accounts (Savings, RD, TD, MIS, SCSS, PPF, NSC, KVP, etc.) in the Post Office.


If a person already has an account and later becomes NRI, they should inform the Post Office immediately.


In most schemes (like PPF), the account can be continued till maturity but no fresh account can be opened after becoming NRI.


In schemes like Savings Account / RD / MIS, the account may need to be closed if residential status changes.



✅ Summary:


Banks → Can open NRE/NRO/FCNR accounts for NRIs.


Post Office → NRIs cannot open new accounts. Only resident individuals are eligible.