Joint holding rules for NRI accounts

Three combinations, and they do not follow one rule. Who may be on the account depends on which account it is.

Two NRIs: any of the three

An NRE, FCNR(B) or NRO account "may be held jointly in the names of two or more NRIs/ PIOs." Nothing extra applies. This is the straightforward case, and it is the one most couples abroad want.

NRE or FCNR(B) with a resident: only a relative, one way round

Here the rule tightens on both counts. The resident must be a relative — as the Companies Act, 2013 defines one — and the account must be held on a "former or survivor" basis.

"Former or survivor" is not a formality. You are the former: while you are alive the account is yours and only you operate it. The relative comes into it as the survivor, afterwards. In the meantime, in the Reserve Bank's own words, the resident relative "can operate the account as a Power of Attorney holder during the life time of the NRI/ PIO account holder."

That last sentence has teeth, because a power of attorney holder's reach over an NRE account is deliberately narrow — local payments, or money sent to you.

What a power of attorney can actually do

NRO with a resident: wider

An NRO account "may be held jointly with residents on 'former or survivor' basis." The Reserve Bank says residents, not resident relatives — so the relative test that governs an NRE account is not stated here.

The mistake to avoid

Asking for the resident to be first-named, or for an "either or survivor" mandate so that both parties can operate the account. Neither is what the rule allows on an NRE or FCNR(B) account, and a branch that agrees to it has made an error you will inherit.

What each account is for

• Two or more NRIs or PIOs may hold any of the three accounts together.
• On NRE and FCNR(B) a resident joint holder must be a relative, on "former or survivor" basis.
• You are always the first holder. The resident operates it as a power of attorney holder.

Source: the "Joint account" row of Q3 in the Reserve Bank of India's FAQ Accounts in India by Non-residents, as on 16 January 2025. "Relative" takes its meaning from the Companies Act, 2013. Checked 22 September 2026.