NRI Personal Loan 2025

People move out of the country for various reasons like education, job, etc. Unforeseen financial expenses arise even during times when you are living abroad. If you are living in another country only on a temporary basis, it could be extremely difficult to obtain loans in that country for your urgent financial needs.

In this scenario, you can take care of your emergency personal expenses with the help of personal loans available for non-resident Indians (NRIs).

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There are many top banks in the country that offer personal loan for NRIs. These lenders offer personal loans for NRIs that can be used for a wide range of needs, from home renovations to vacations. Both the application and repayment processes have been simplified for NRIs. Now, let's explore the various types of personal loans available to them.

How to Apply for an NRI Personal Loan?

  1. Online Application: Visit the bank’s official website, fill out the form, and upload required documents
  2. Through NRI Helpdesk: Contact the bank’s NRI desk via email or phone for guidance and eligibility checks
  3. Via Indian Branches: Relatives in India can visit the nearest branch to inquire or submit documents on your behalf
  4. Loan Disbursal: Once approved, the loan amount is credited to your NRE/NRO account
NRI Personal Loan

Comparison of Personal Loans for NRIs

Some of the top lenders that provide personal loans to NRIs are listed as follows:

Lender

Interest Rate

Maximum loan amount

Maximum loan tenure

South Indian Bank

From 10.05% p.a. onwards 

Rs.20 lakh

60 months

Home Renovation Loan by Kotak Mahindra Bank

8.65% p.a. onwards

Up to 80% of the home renovation expenses

From Rs. 35 lakhs up to Rs. 70 lakhs 

25 years

ICICI Personal Loan for NRIs

10.85% p.a. onwards 

Up to Rs.50 lakh

Contact the bank

South Indian Bank NRI Personal Loan

South Indian Bank is a prominent bank in the Indian private banking sector and offers various products and services. As a leading bank, it provides personal loans for NRIs to address urgent financial requirements. These loans come with competitive interest rates, making them an accessible option.

Benefits and key highlights:

  1. This loan can be availed by NRI customers without any collateral or security.
  2. One co-applicant is required for NRI customers to avail this loan from South Indian Bank.
  3. Self-employed customers do not have to show business stability if they live in their own home or parental home.
  4. This loan can be availed from Rs. 1 lakh up to Rs. 20 lakhs

Kotak Mahindra Bank NRI Personal Loan Details

Kotak Mahindra Bank is another renowned bank in the Indian banking private sector that offers an array of products and services. The home renovation loan is a type of personal loan from Kotak Mahindra Bank that is specifically for home improvement for NRIs owning residential properties in India. It covers various renovation needs, including painting, decoration, waterproofing, construction, and electrical work for the house. 

Benefits and key highlights 

  1. This loan provides funding for up to 80% of the home renovation expenses for amounts ranging from Rs. 35 lakhs up to Rs. 70 lakhs. 
  1. For home repair, you get a loan amount covering up to 90% of the expenses. 
  1. You can repay this loan in flexible tenures of up to 25 years. 
  1. This loan is offered based on the repayment capability of the applicant or co-applicant. 
  1. If the property is owned by many individuals, the co-owner must be included as a co-application for this loan. 

ICICI Bank Personal Loan for NRIs 

NRIs can avail a personal loan from the ICICI Bank to meet their various needs. One can either apply for a personal loan from ICICI Bank online or offline. 

Features and Benefits 

  1. This loan can be easily applied for and requires minimal documentation. 
  1. You do not need to submit any collateral or security to avail yourself of this loan. 
  1. The documentation process for this loan is simple 
  1. The loan is offered at interest rates starting from 10.85% p.a. onwards. 
  1. The maximum loan amount offered in this loan is Rs. 50 lakh. 

Eligibility for NRI Personal Loan

  1. These loans are typically provided to salaried or self-employed professionals living abroad. In case of salaried professionals, the applicant must be employed in the same company for at least one year. You must provide proof of income to the bank while applying for loans.
  2. Self-employed professionals must provide continuity of business proof. Banks require at least 3 years of business vintage before providing loans for self-employed NRIs. Some banks waive this requirement if the applicant has real-estate properties in India.
  3. Most banks have also outlined specific income criteria for applicants to get a personal loan. This requirement is likely to differ for NRI applicants based on the country in which they are employed.
  4. Banks also require a local co-applicant before they can provide a loan. This co-applicant must be a close relative of the applicant. This co-applicant can either be an earning individual or a non-earning individual.
  1. Most of the banks also have an age criteria for NRI personal loans, requiring the applicant to be aged between 21 years and 60 years. 
  1. Most of the banks also require the applicant to have a good credit score to be eligible for this loan. 

Documents Required for NRI Personal Loan

  1. Passport and Visa copy
  2. Bank statement for at least 12 months
  3. Proof of identity
  4. Proof of address
  5. Salary slips or salary certificate

Identity and address proof documents must be submitted for the applicant as well as the co-applicant.

Benefits of Applying for Personal Loan for NRIs

The below-listed are some the benefits of applying for a personal loan for NRIs: 

  1. No collateral required: Most of the banks offer personal loans to NRIs without any collateral or security. This gives easy access to funds during emergencies. 
  1. Affordable interest rates: Indian banks often offer competitive personal loan interest rates to NRIs, especially if they have a good credit history in India or an existing banking relationship, potentially offering better terms than borrowing abroad. 
  1. Flexibility in using funds: The personal loans borrowed by the NRIs can be used for various reasons, including medical emergencies for family in India, home renovations, weddings, education expenses for dependents, debt consolidation, or travel. 
  1. Easy loan application: Most banks require minimal documentation for personal loans for NRIs. Moreover, the overall loan application process is also simplified. 

Things to Consider before Applying for NRI Personal Loan

  1. Personal loans are unsecured and often used for urgent financial needs, so they typically carry higher interest rates than secured options like home loans. It's wise to explore other financing avenues before considering a personal loan
  2. Personal loans are intended for emergency financial needs. They are also unsecured loans provided with no collateral. Hence, the interest rates of these loans tend to be higher than other loans like home loans. You need to explore other avenues of obtaining finances before considering personal loans.
  3. If you are living in a foreign country, you may enquire with the bank directly about the loan through phone or email. You may also send in your relatives residing in India to a branch office to enquire about a loan.
  4. The bank may provide the loan either in Indian rupees or in foreign currency (US dollars) based on their policy. You may choose your preference at the time of taking the loan. You can check with the bank regarding their official policy on how the loan amount will be disbursed.
  5. Lenders who provide loans for NRIs typically require a relative living in India to sign as a co-applicant. If you have no relatives in India, you may find it difficult to get a loan. You can check with the bank to understand their policy on co-applicant for a personal loan.

FAQs on Personal Loans for NRIs

  • How can NRIs get the personal loan amount?

    NRIs can get the personal loan amount from the bank in their NRE or NRO accounts. Most lenders provide the loan amount in Indian rupees. However, some banks also provide these loans in foreign currency. You may check the lender to know about the mode in which the loan amount is disbursed.

  • What is the minimum age criteria to apply for an NRI personal loan?

    Most of the banks have a minimum age criteria of 21 years to apply for an NRI personal loan. 

  • Can I apply online for personal loans?

    While personal loans often have online application facilities, NRIs should always confirm the specific online application process with the bank beforehand. It's advisable to contact their customer service center for guidance before proceeding. 

  • Can I ask my friend to sign as the co-applicant?

    As per the terms and conditions of most banks, the co-applicant for personal loans must be a close relative. Hence, many banks do not accept friends as co-applicants for personal loans. However, you may check with the bank to know whether this option is available.

  • Will I have to submit any collateral or security to apply for an NRI personal loan?

    Most of the banks do not require you to submit any collateral or security to apply for an NRI personal loan. However, it is advisable to check with the bank when applying for a loan. 

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