If you are planning a foreign remittance under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), the first question your bank will ask is: do you have the right documents required for LRS? A missing passport copy, a wrong purpose code on Form A2, or an expired admission letter can delay your remittance by days — or get it rejected outright.
This guide gives you the definitive, purpose-wise document checklist for every type of LRS remittance — education, investment, property, medical, and gift. We also cover when a CA certificate is mandatory, what additional documents you need above ₹10 lakh, and the most common errors that cause bank rejections.
Read our complete LRS guide for the full regulatory framework →Universal Documents for All LRS Remittances
Before we get into purpose-specific lists, every LRS remittance — regardless of amount or purpose — requires this core set of KYC documents for LRS:
| # | Document | Why Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAN card | Mandatory for every LRS transaction. Banks track your cumulative remittances against PAN across all banks via the CIMS portal. An inoperative PAN (not linked to Aadhaar) triggers double TCS rates. |
| 2 | Valid passport | Required as identity proof. Must be unexpired. For travel-purpose remittances, destination countries typically require 6 months minimum validity. |
| 3 | Aadhaar card | For KYC verification. Must be linked to PAN — unlinking makes PAN inoperative. |
| 4 | Form A2 (Application-cum-Declaration) | The LRS declaration form prescribed by RBI under FEMA. Since July 2024, Form A2 is mandatory for every cross-border remittance regardless of amount — the old letter-based exemption for sub-USD 25,000 transactions has been eliminated. |
| 5 | Source of funds declaration | Self-declaration within Form A2 confirming that funds belong to you and are from a legitimate source — salary, savings, business income, asset sale proceeds, etc. |
Understanding the LRS Declaration Form
The LRS declaration form is not a separate document. It is integrated with Form A2 into a combined “A2 cum LRS Declaration” — a single form that covers both the RBI’s FEMA declaration requirements and LRS-specific undertakings.
In this form, you declare:
- LRS limit compliance — that your total remittances from all banks in the current financial year (April–March), including the present transaction, are within USD 2,50,000
- Previous remittance details — dates, amounts, and bank names for all LRS transactions in the current FY
- FEMA compliance — that the transaction does not contravene FEMA provisions
- Prohibited transaction undertaking — that the remittance is not for margin trading, lottery, forex trading abroad, FCCBs, or any prohibited purpose under Schedule I of FEMA
- FATF/sanctions compliance — that the remittance is not to FATF non-cooperative countries or sanctioned entities
- Purpose restriction — that the foreign exchange will be used only for the stated purpose
Documents by Purpose — Education
Education is the most common LRS purpose. Here is your complete checklist for documents for foreign remittance towards education:
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All universal documents (above) | PAN, passport, Aadhaar, Form A2 |
| 2 | University admission/offer letter | Must be for the current or upcoming academic session. Expired or past-session letters are not accepted. |
| 3 | Fee invoice or demand note | For the current semester/term, clearly stating the payment deadline and amount in foreign currency |
| 4 | Student visa copy | Valid visa for the destination country (I-20 for US, CAS for UK, COE for Australia) |
| 5 | Previous year remittance proof | For continuing students — shows this is a renewal payment, not a first-time transaction |
| 6 | Education loan sanction letter | If loan-funded — critical for TCS exemption. Loan-funded education remittances attract nil TCS even above ₹10 lakh under Section 394(1) |
Documents by Purpose — Investment
For investing in foreign stocks, mutual funds, bonds, or other financial instruments:
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All universal documents | PAN, passport, Aadhaar, Form A2 |
| 2 | Investment account details | Brokerage/platform account statement (Vested, INDmoney, Interactive Brokers, etc.) |
| 3 | Investment plan or proposal | Description of the investment — equity shares, debt instruments, mutual funds |
| 4 | Source of funds documentation | ITR copies (last 2–3 years), bank statements (6–12 months), or specific source proof |
| 5 | Schedule FA acknowledgement | For subsequent years — proof that you have disclosed existing foreign assets in your ITR under Section 263(1)(a)(ix) of the Income Tax Act, 2025 |
Documents by Purpose — Property Purchase Abroad
Buying immovable property abroad under LRS involves the most documentation:
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All universal documents | PAN, passport, Aadhaar, Form A2 |
| 2 | Sale/purchase agreement | Signed agreement between buyer and seller/developer, specifying property address, type, and price |
| 3 | Developer or seller identification | Full name, address, and bank details of the seller/developer entity |
| 4 | Property valuation report | Independent valuation from a licensed surveyor/valuer in the destination country |
| 5 | Source of funds documentation | Enhanced — typically ITR (2–3 years), bank statements (12 months), and possibly a net worth certificate from a CA |
| 6 | Power of attorney | If someone is acting on your behalf for the property transaction |
Documents by Purpose — Medical Treatment
Medical treatment abroad has a unique advantage — it is the only LRS purpose where the USD 2,50,000 annual ceiling can be exceeded:
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All universal documents | PAN, passport, Aadhaar, Form A2 |
| 2 | Medical visa | Most countries have a specific medical visa category (US B-2, UK Standard Visitor, etc.) |
| 3 | Hospital admission or appointment letter | On hospital letterhead, naming the patient, treatment plan, and tentative dates |
| 4 | Estimated treatment cost letter | Detailed cost breakdown from the foreign hospital. Mandatory if remittance exceeds USD 2,50,000 |
| 5 | Doctor’s referral letter from India | From your Indian treating doctor, stating diagnosis and why treatment abroad is recommended. Not legally mandated by RBI for amounts up to USD 2,50,000, but strongly recommended. |
| 6 | Medical reports and diagnosis | Previous test results, imaging, pathology reports |
| 7 | Insurance details | If covered under global health insurance — policy number, coverage letter, pre-authorization |
AD banks can release foreign exchange above USD 2,50,000 based on a bona fide hospital estimate — no separate RBI approval needed
Source: RBI Master DirectionDocuments by Purpose — Gift and Maintenance
For sending money to relatives abroad or making gifts:
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All universal documents | PAN, passport, Aadhaar, Form A2 |
| 2 | Proof of relationship | Birth certificate, marriage certificate, or family tree documentation establishing your relationship with the beneficiary |
| 3 | Beneficiary identification | Passport copy, visa/residency proof of the beneficiary residing abroad |
| 4 | Purpose declaration | Clear statement of whether the remittance is for maintenance (regular support) or a gift (one-time transfer) |
| 5 | Gift deed | Advisable for large gifts. Some banks insist on a registered gift deed for amounts above ₹50,000 |
Purpose codes:
- S1301 — Maintenance of close relatives (regular support payments)
- S1302 — Personal gifts and donations
- S1303 — Donations to religious/charitable institutions abroad
TCS: 20% on amounts above ₹10 lakh (cumulative). This is the highest category — gifts and maintenance fall under “all other purposes.”
Form 145/146 [Old: Form 15CA/15CB] Documents
Most individual LRS remittances do not require Form 145 or Form 146 at all. But when they do — typically for payments to non-residents that are chargeable to tax in India — you need additional documents.
When Form 145/146 Is Required Alongside Regular LRS Documents
| Scenario | Form Required | CA Certificate? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual LRS remittance for education (S0305) | No form needed — exempt under Rule 220(3) | No |
| Individual LRS remittance for investment (S0001–S0005) | No form needed — exempt | No |
| Individual LRS remittance for travel, medical, gift | No form needed — exempt | No |
| Payment to NRI for property sale proceeds (taxable) above ₹5 lakh | Form 145 Part C + Form 146 | Yes |
| Company paying consultancy fee to foreign entity above ₹5 lakh | Form 145 Part C + Form 146 | Yes |
| Any taxable payment to non-resident ≤ ₹5 lakh in FY | Form 145 Part A | No |
| Non-taxable payment not on exempt list | Form 145 Part D | No |
Documents for CA Certification (Form 146)
When Form 146 is required, your CA needs:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Invoice, agreement, or contract | To determine the nature of payment |
| DTAA articles | Relevant treaty provisions for the recipient’s country |
| TRC (Tax Residency Certificate) of the non-resident | Issued by the tax authority of the recipient’s country. Applied via Form 42; issued as Form 43 |
| Form 41 (Self-declaration by non-resident) | Under Rule 75. Mandatory from 1 April 2026 even if the TRC contains all prescribed details |
| PAN of non-resident | Required if available; if not, higher TDS rate may apply |
| TDS challan | Proof that tax has been deducted at the applicable rate |
Documents for Amounts Above ₹10 Lakh
When your cumulative LRS remittances in a financial year cross ₹10 lakh (across all purposes and all banks), two things happen: TCS kicks in, and banks ask for enhanced documentation.
TCS Trigger and Rates (From 1 April 2026)
| Purpose | TCS Rate |
|---|---|
| Education (loan-funded) | Nil |
| Education (self-funded) | 2% |
| Medical treatment | 2% |
| Tour packages | 2% (from first rupee — no ₹10L threshold) |
| All other purposes (investment, property, gift) | 20% |
Tour packages (Sl. 8) operate on a separate flat 2% TCS from the first rupee — the bundled tour-package vs self-arranged travel crossover sits at roughly ₹10.2 lakh of annual LRS spend.
Detailed TCS guide with planning strategies and refund process →Enhanced Documentation Banks Typically Ask For
| Document | When Typically Required |
|---|---|
| ITR copies (last 2–3 years) | Almost always required once cumulative remittance crosses ₹10 lakh. Banks verify that your declared income justifies the remittance amount. |
| Bank statements (6–12 months) | To trace source of funds. 6 months for amounts up to ₹25 lakh; 12 months for larger amounts. |
| Form 16 | For salaried individuals — shows total salary income and TDS. |
| Net worth certificate from CA | For mixed-source remittances or amounts above ₹50 lakh. Must be on CA letterhead with UDIN, not older than 3 months. Typical cost: ₹1,500–₹5,000. |
| Specific source documentation | Property sale deed, investment redemption statement, FD maturity advice, gift deed — depending on where the funds originated. |
Documentation Tiers — A Practical Guide
Documentation Requirements by Remittance Amount
- 1Below ₹5 lakh
PAN, Form A2, passport, purpose document (admission letter, invoice, etc.)
Tip: Standard KYC — minimal additional documentation
- 2₹5–25 lakh
All of the above + bank statement (6 months), ITR (latest year) or Form 16
Tip: Banks start verifying income matches remittance amount
- 3₹25 lakh–₹1 crore
All of the above + bank statement (12 months), ITR (2–3 years), specific source proof
Tip: Enhanced due diligence — prepare source documentation in advance
- 4Above ₹1 crore / near USD 2,50,000
All of the above + net worth certificate, compliance officer review, full income dossier
Tip: Expect branch-level review even for online remittances
Common Document Errors That Cause Rejection
Based on real bank rejection data, these are the top mistakes that delay or kill your LRS remittance:
1. Purpose Code Mismatch
The RBI purpose code on Form A2 must match the actual transaction and supporting documents. Selecting S0305 (education) when you are paying for a tour package (S0306) will get you rejected — and trigger the wrong TCS rate.
2. Name Mismatch Between Documents
Your name on Form A2 must match your PAN card exactly. Common issues: middle name present in PAN but omitted on Form A2, spelling variations between PAN and passport, maiden vs married name.
Cost of a name mismatch rejection with an international bounce-back: ₹8,000–15,000 in fees and conversion losses.
3. Inoperative PAN (Not Linked to Aadhaar)
An inoperative PAN triggers TCS at double the normal rate. Some banks reject the transaction outright until PAN is reactivated. PAN-Aadhaar linking takes approximately 30 days after payment of the ₹1,000 late fee.
4. Incomplete Form A2
Leaving fields blank — especially beneficiary SWIFT/BIC code, purpose code, or the FEMA declaration section — results in immediate rejection. Use “N/A” rather than leaving a field blank.
5. Wrong or Expired Supporting Documents
Banks reject expired admission letters, outdated medical estimates (older than 3–6 months), or bank statements older than 30 days. All purpose-specific documents must be current.
6. SWIFT/BIC Code Errors
Entering a wrong SWIFT code — transposed characters, spaces, outdated codes after bank mergers — can result in funds being stuck in transit for weeks.
Total cost of a single SWIFT error: ₹5,000–10,000+ in intermediary fees and conversion losses.
7. Not Disclosing Previous LRS Remittances
Form A2 requires you to list all LRS remittances made through any bank in the current FY. Failure to disclose can cause your cumulative total to breach USD 2,50,000 — which is a FEMA violation with penalties up to three times the excess amount.
8. Missing Form 145/146 When Required
While most individual LRS remittances are exempt, certain payments (e.g., buying property from an NRI, paying for taxable services) require Form 145/146. Not having these when needed can result in a ₹1,00,000 penalty under Section 462.
Bank-Specific Requirements
Each bank has slightly different processes and document requirements for LRS remittances:
| Feature | SBI | HDFC Bank | ICICI Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | YONO App / Branch | RemitNow (NetBanking) | Money2World (iMobile / NetBanking) |
| Form A2 | Primarily branch-based; physical form still common | Fully digital — auto-generated within RemitNow | Fully digital — embedded in Money2World flow |
| KYC auto-population | Basic details pre-filled from YONO profile | Full auto-population from NetBanking profile | Pre-populated from KYC records |
| Document upload | Limited online; complex cases require branch visit | Supports upload via NetBanking portal | Supports upload during send-money flow |
| Daily online limit | USD 40,000 (YONO) | USD 50,000 | Not publicly specified |
| Processing time | 2 working days | Up to 72 hours | 2–4 working days |
| Transaction fee | ₹590 + GST (FXOUT) | ₹500–1,000 + GST | ₹750–1,000 per transaction |
Is a CA Certificate Mandatory for Foreign Remittance?
Short answer: For most individual LRS remittances — no.
The CA certificate (Form 146) is only required when all three conditions are met simultaneously:
- The payment is to a non-resident or foreign company
- The payment is chargeable to tax in India
- The aggregate payment to the same payee exceeds ₹5 lakh in the financial year
For personal LRS remittances — education fees, investments, medical treatment, gifts, travel — the payment is typically not chargeable to Indian tax. Moreover, individual LRS remittances are independently exempt from Form 145/146 under Rule 220(3)(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
I am sending ₹15 lakh for my child’s university fees. Do I need Form 145/146?
No. Education remittances under purpose code S0305 are exempt from Form 145/146 under Rule 220(3). You only need Form A2, PAN, passport, admission letter, and fee invoice. TCS at 2% will apply on ₹5 lakh (the amount above the ₹10 lakh threshold).
Can I remit more than USD 2,50,000 for medical treatment?
Yes. Medical treatment is the only LRS purpose where AD banks can release foreign exchange above USD 2,50,000 without RBI approval — based on a bona fide hospital estimate. Additionally, family members can pool their individual limits.
My bank is asking for Form 15CA for an education remittance. Is this correct?
Technically, no. Education remittances under S0305 are exempt under Rule 220(3). However, some bank branches still ask for forms out of abundance of caution. You can cite CBDT Notification 93/2015 and Rule 220(3)(c) to the bank’s compliance team.
How long is a net worth certificate valid?
Banks typically accept certificates not older than 3 months from the date of the transaction.
Do I need to keep copies of all these documents?
Yes. AD banks are required to retain transaction documentation for at least 5 years under PMLA. You should maintain your own records for the same period — you may need them for ITR filing, Schedule FA disclosure, or if the bank or tax authorities raise queries later.
What happens if I submit incomplete documents?
A rejected Form A2 is treated as void. You must submit a completely new form with all documents. If the rejection happens after SWIFT processing (at the intermediary or beneficiary bank), you lose USD 30–80 in fees and 3–4% in conversion losses when funds are returned.