What Documents are Required for an OCI Holder to Open an NRO Account?

If you're opening the NRO account because of Indian-source income such as rent, mention that clearly to the bank.

The basic documentation I'd keep ready is:

1. Current foreign passport
2. OCI card
3. PAN card
4. Current overseas address proof
5. Passport-size photograph
6. Bank's NRO account application/KYC forms
7. FATCA/CRS and tax-residency information, where applicable
8. Indian passport surrender certificate, if you previously held an Indian passport

The surrender certificate isn't necessarily the standard identity document for opening an NRO account, but it can be useful when you're updating an old resident account or proving your previous Indian citizenship status.

Also, don't assume that every bank will accept the same address documents. It's worth checking the bank's current NRO account checklist before visiting the branch.

My experience was with a bank in Mumbai after I became a UK citizen.

The documents they requested were basically:

• Foreign passport
• OCI card
• PAN
• Overseas address proof
• Photograph
• KYC forms
• Tax-residency/FATCA-CRS declaration

I also showed my surrender certificate because the bank wanted to update my old customer records.

The address proof was important in my case. My old Indian address was still appearing in some records, but I was opening the account as someone living in the UK, so I provided my current UK address documentation.

RBI's KYC framework allows banks to verify identity and address using officially valid documents, but the exact acceptable documents and additional verification can depend on the bank's current KYC policy.

I’m an OCI holder living in Canada, and when I opened my NRO account, the bank asked for my Canadian passport, OCI card, PAN and Canadian address proof.

They also had their own KYC and account-opening forms. Since I was a Canadian tax resident, I had to provide the applicable tax-residency/FATCA-CRS information.

I also carried my Indian passport surrender certificate because I had previously been an Indian citizen. The bank kept a copy, although I wouldn't say it was the main document used for establishing my identity.

For the NRO account itself, the important thing is that you are a person resident outside India. RBI's FAQ says an OCI cardholder who is resident outside India is included in the PIO category, and PIOs can open NRO accounts.

I'd take originals as well as copies when visiting the branch. The bank may have its own requirements for verification.