Six documents max — most NRIs already have four of them. PAN takes the longest to get if you don't have one. Below: each document, who needs it, where to apply, how long it takes, and what banks accept as substitutes while you wait.
Tap any row to expand. Online video-KYC banks (ICICI, HDFC, Kotak, IDFC First, Federal Bank) accept everything digital. Paper applications at SBI / public-sector banks may need notarisation or apostille.
Who can apply: Anyone — Indian citizen abroad, OCI cardholder, foreign national of Indian origin, even non-Indian foreign nationals if they have Indian-source income. NRIs use Form 49AA (the version for foreign-address applicants); residents use Form 49A.
How long: 7–15 working days online if your documents are clean. Physical verification (e.g., signature mismatch) → 3–4 weeks. e-PAN with digital signature can arrive in 48 hours via NSDL/UTITSL.
Cost: ~₹110 if dispatched within India, ~₹1,020 if dispatched abroad.
While you wait: submit Form 60 as a temporary alternative — banks accept it for up to 3 months. Apply for PAN via Quicko →
Indian citizens living abroad: Indian passport with relevant visa or work permit page (proves you live abroad). Self-attested copy of bio-data page + visa/work-permit page.
Foreign passport holders of Indian origin (US, UK, Canada citizens): Foreign passport plus OCI card. Both must be self-attested.
Banks need to see two things: who you are (passport bio page) and that you actually live abroad (visa page or OCI card).
Need to renew or apply?
Passport Seva (India) VFS Global BLS (USA) CKGS (USA) OCI servicesWhat "NRI" means in one line: an Indian citizen or person of Indian origin who has lived outside India for more than 182 days in the current financial year (April–March). Tax law sometimes uses additional 60-day / 365-day rules; banking only cares about the 182-day test.
How banks verify it: work permit, residence permit, employment visa, or student visa — anything official showing you live abroad. Some banks also accept a foreign driving licence or recent utility bill as supporting proof.
Utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or government-issued document showing your foreign address. Must be recent (within 3 months). Some banks require notarisation or apostille for paper applications — online video-KYC banks usually skip that step.
You don't always need this. Most online video-KYC banks (ICICI, HDFC, Kotak, IDFC First, Federal Bank) accept your foreign address as the only address. Indian address is just for India-side correspondence and is fully optional.
If your bank does ask: Aadhaar card (front + back), voter ID, or a family member's address with their consent letter all work. SBI and public-sector banks ask more often than private banks.
Recent passport-size photograph. For online applications, a clear phone photo against a white background is usually accepted. For paper/in-person applications, India typically requires 2×2 inch (51×51mm) with white background, no glasses, neutral expression.
Free online passport-photo tools (crop your phone photo to spec):
idphoto4you Persofoto Passport-photo.onlineIn-person studios: Walgreens, CVS, UPS Store (US) · Snappy Snaps, Boots, Post Office (UK) · Australia Post (AU) · Most photo studios + courier shops anywhere in the Gulf or Singapore.
For someone with NO Indian documents (no PAN, no Aadhaar, fresh OCI in process):
If you're an Indian passport holder, you can skip the OCI step — much faster path.
Documents in hand. Now pick the bank.