LRS: No More 15-Day Repatriation Rule for IFSC Accounts
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/21 · issued 26 Apr 2023 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has scrapped the mandatory 15-day repatriation condition for idle funds in Foreign Currency Accounts opened by residents in IFSCs under LRS. This aligns IFSC rules with other foreign jurisdictions, giving account holders more flexibility.
The rule, in the simplest words
The old rule said any money sitting unused in a Foreign Currency Account (an account for foreign money) in an IFSC (a special finance zone in India) had to be sent back within 15 days. That rule is now gone.
Now, money can stay in the account as long as you want, just like accounts in other countries.
Banks don't have to check or enforce the 15-day return rule anymore for these accounts.
This change makes it easier for people to invest abroad using IFSC accounts.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Mumbai, Priya, is helping a customer open a Foreign Currency Account in an IFSC to invest in US stocks. Before this rule change, Priya had to warn the customer that any unused money must be sent back within 15 days. Now, she can simply tell the customer, 'Your money can stay in the account as long as you like, no rush to bring it back,' making the process smoother and less stressful for everyone.
What changed
Previously, any funds lying idle in a Foreign Currency Account (FCA) in an IFSC had to be repatriated within 15 days of receipt. This circular withdraws that condition with immediate effect, so idle funds no longer face a mandatory repatriation timeline. The change aligns IFSC LRS rules with those for other foreign jurisdictions.
What it means for you
Banks can now offer IFSC accounts under LRS without enforcing the 15-day repatriation clause, simplifying operations for customers. This reduces compliance burden for AD Category-I banks and makes IFSC accounts more attractive for resident individuals investing abroad. The Master Direction on LRS will be updated to reflect this relaxation.
What you must do
Update internal LRS processing systems to remove the 15-day repatriation check for IFSC Foreign Currency Accounts.
Communicate this change to all branches and relationship managers handling LRS remittances.
Advise customers that idle funds in IFSC FCAs no longer require repatriation within 15 days.
Monitor the updated Master Direction No. 7 for any further amendments and ensure compliance.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks processing LRS remittances, Resident individuals investing through IFSCs under LRS, IFSC-based financial institutions and account providers
❓ Common questions
Does this circular apply to all LRS remittances or only those to IFSCs?
This circular specifically addresses remittances to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) under LRS. The 15-day repatriation condition has been withdrawn only for Foreign Currency Accounts opened in IFSCs.
What happens to funds that were already subject to the 15-day rule before this circular?
The circular does not specify retroactive application. Banks should treat all existing and new IFSC FCAs under the revised rules from April 26, 2023, and consult RBI if any clarification is needed on prior balances.
Do we need to update our LRS reporting systems for this change?
Yes, AD Category-I banks should update their internal systems to remove the 15-day repatriation trigger for IFSC accounts. Reporting under the Master Direction on LRS remains otherwise unchanged.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/21
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.03
April 26, 2023
To
All Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam / Sir
Remittances to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs)
under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 11 dated February 16, 2021 , on “Remittances to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)” and Master Direction No. 7/2015-16 on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) as amended from time to time.
2. On a review and with an objective to align the LRS for IFSCs set up under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 vis-à-vis other foreign jurisdictions, it has been decided to amend the directions under para 2 (ii) of the aforementioned A.P. (DIR Series) Circular dated February 16, 2021 , as – “Resident Individuals may also open a Foreign Currency Account (FCA) in IFSCs, for making the above permissible investments under LRS.” Thus, the condition of repatriating any funds lying idle in the account for a period up to 15 days from the date of its receipt is withdrawn with immediate effect, which shall now be governed by the provisions of the scheme as contained in the aforesaid Master Direction on LRS.
3. The Master Direction No. 7 is being updated to reflect these changes.
4. AD Category - I banks should bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers.
5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions/approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
(Ajay Kumar Misra)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/21 · issued 26 Apr 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Communicate this change to all branches and relationship managers handling LRS remittances.
💻 IT / Systems
Update internal LRS processing systems to remove the 15-day repatriation check for IFSC Foreign Currency Accounts.
📜 Compliance
Advise customers that idle funds in IFSC FCAs no longer require repatriation within 15 days.
Monitor the updated Master Direction No. 7 for any further amendments and ensure compliance.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks processing LRS remittances, Resident individuals investing through IFSCs under LRS, IFSC-based financial institutions and account providers), your first concrete step on “LRS: No More 15-Day Repatriation Rule for IFSC Accounts” is: “Update internal LRS processing systems to remove the 15-day repatriation check for IFSC Foreign Currency Accounts.” (RBI issued this 26 Apr 2023).
Circular: RBI/2023-24/21 -- LRS: No More 15-Day Repatriation Rule for IFSC Accounts
Issued: 26 Apr 2023
Action required: Update internal LRS processing systems to remove the 15-day repatriation check for IFSC Foreign Currency Accounts.
Action required: Communicate this change to all branches and relationship managers handling LRS remittances.
Action required: Advise customers that idle funds in IFSC FCAs no longer require repatriation within 15 days.
Action required: Monitor the updated Master Direction No. 7 for any further amendments and ensure compliance.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12494&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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