Many NRIs working in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Qatar send part of their savings to India within the first year. Confusion starts when NRI Banking offer NRE, NRO and FCNR fixed deposits. These are not just different interest options — they depend on money source, tax treatment and whether funds can be taken back abroad, which ultimately decides the real return.
What are the SBI NRI FD rates?
As of February 2026, SBI NRI fixed deposits offer roughly 3.05% to about 6.45% per year for rupee-based accounts (NRE and NRO) below ₹3 crore. The highest return usually comes from the 444-day scheme, which goes near 6.45% p.a.
An NRI FD is not a special product — it is a regulatory account. Banks must separate foreign earnings and Indian earnings under RBI rules. This keeps taxation correct and prevents compliance problems later. They allow you to park money in India safely and earn fixed interest. The bank gives three options — NRE FD, NRO FD and FCNR FD — but you can’t randomly pick any one. The bank first checks where your money actually came from, then decides the correct FD type.
| FD Type | What bank checks first | Real purpose |
|---|---|---|
| NRE FD | Remittance received from abroad | Save your foreign salary in India (tax-free interest) |
| NRO FD | Income earned inside India | Handle rent, pension, dividends or local deposits |
| FCNR FD | Currency deposited (USD/AED/GB, etc.) | Keep savings in foreign currency and avoid rupee fluctuation |
- When you apply, SBI verifies remittance proof, KYC, and transaction source.
- If dollars come from overseas → NRE or FCNR allowed.
- If money originates in India → only NRO permitted.
1. SBI NRE Fixed Deposit
An SBI NRE Fixed Deposit (Non-Resident External FD) is a rupee-based term deposit made for Indians living abroad. You send your foreign salary to India, the bank converts it into INR, and you earn fixed interest.
The big attraction: interest is completely tax-free in India, and you can transfer both money and interest back abroad anytime. So if you work in the UAE, UK, USA, etc., you can park savings in India without a tax headache.
Unlike a normal FD, SBI first checks remittance proof. If money didn’t come from abroad, they wouldn’t allow NRE — it must go to NRO.
SBI NRE FD Interest Rates (Updated: 15th December 2025 and still active in 2026– below ₹3 crore)
| Tenure | Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 year – < 2 years | 6.25% |
| 444 days (Amrit Vrishti) | 6.45% |
| 2 years – < 3 years | 6.40% |
| 3 years – < 5 years | 6.30% |
| 5 years – 10 years | 6.05% |
Minimum tenure: 1 year. If you close before 1 year → no interest.
SBI NRE FD Special Schemes
- Amrit Vrishti 444 Days = High-interest fixed deposit with around up to 6.60% p.a. for a fixed 444-day period. Good if you want a slightly better return but still a short commitment.
- SBI Sarvottam Deposit = A non-callable FD (you cannot break it early). Because you lock the money, SBI gives about 0.30%–0.40% higher interest than normal 1–2 year deposits. you can check non-callable rates here: (NRE Non-Callable Term Deposit Interest Rates)
Key Features
- Minimum tenure: 1 year (before that → no interest)
- Repatriation: You can send principal + interest abroad anytime
- Joint holding: Allowed with another NRI/PIO (not resident family)
- Loan facility: Up to ~90% of the FD value available as overdraft/loan
- Premature closure: After 1 year penalty ~0.5% (≤₹5L) or ~1% (>₹5L)
2. NRO FD Interest Rates (below ₹3 crore)
An SBI NRO FD (Non-Resident Ordinary Fixed Deposit) is meant for money you earn inside India while living abroad — like house rent, pension, dividends, or family deposits. The money stays in rupees, helping you manage local income legally.
Unlike NRE, this deposit is taxable in India, but it is necessary because banks will not allow Indian income to be parked in an NRE account.
This report was updated on 15th December 2025 and remains active in 2026.
| Tenure | Interest |
|---|---|
| 7–45 days | ~3.05% |
| 46–179 days | ~4.90% |
| 180–210 days | ~5.65% |
| 211 days – <1 year | ~5.90% |
| 1–2 years | ~6.25% |
| 444 days (Amrit Vrishti) | ~6.45% (also active for senior citizens only in a special scheme, you will get 7.10%) |
| 2–3 years | ~6.40% |
| 3–5 years | ~6.30% |
| 5–10 years | ~6.05% |
Key points you should know
- Minimum period: 7 days
- Premature closure penalty: about 0.5%–1%
- Withdrawal before 7 days → no interest
- Money can be repatriated abroad, but within yearly limits
3. SBI FCNR (B) Deposit Rates (Updated: January 15, 2026)
An SBI FCNR(B) (Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank) deposit is a fixed deposit where your money stays in foreign currency — not rupees. You can keep savings in USD, GBP, EUR, AED, CAD, AUD, or JPY while living abroad.
Unlike NRE FD, the bank does not convert money into INR. So if the rupee weakens later, your savings are protected. That is the main reason many long-term NRIs prefer FCNR.
Key benefits
- No exchange-rate risk (currency protection)
- Interest is tax-free in India
- Full repatriation is allowed anytime after maturity
- Tenure: 1 year to 5 years
Important conditions
- Minimum deposit: about USD 1,000 (or equivalent)
- Withdraw before 1 year → no interest
- After 1 year → interest paid as per applicable rate
- Above 1-year deposits compound half-yearly
- Auto-renewal happens unless you stop it
| Tenure | USD | GBP | EUR | CAD | AUD | JPY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 4.40% | 4.00% | 2.75% | 2.97% | 3.75% | 0.40% |
| >1 yr – <2 yrs | 4.40% | 4.00% | 2.75% | 2.97% | 3.75% | 0.40% |
| 2 – <3 yrs | 3.55% | 3.95% | 1.25% | 2.72% | 3.65% | 0.40% |
| 3 – <4 yrs | 3.35% | 3.00% | 1.25% | 2.47% | 3.55% | 0.40% |
| 4 – <5 yrs | 2.95% | 2.90% | 1.25% | 2.52% | 3.45% | 0.30% |
| 5 years | 3.05% | 2.80% | 1.25% | 2.57% | 3.35% | 0.30% |
NRE FD vs NRO FD Tax Difference (Real Profit Example)
Many NRIs see the same interest rate and think both deposits are equal. But the rate is the same — final money is not.
- Suppose you invest ₹10,00,000 for 1 year at 6.40%.
- Interest earned = ₹64,000
1. If you use NRE FD (foreign salary)
- Tax in India: 0
- Interest received: ₹64,000
You get the full amount. No TDS deducted.
2. If you use NRO FD (rent or Indian income)
The bank deducts about 31.2% TDS.
- Tax ≈ ₹19,968
- Money you actually receive ≈ ₹44,032
Same FD, same bank, same rate — but almost ₹20,000 less in hand.
Why? Because NRO interest is treated as income earned in India, the bank must deduct tax before paying you. Later, by filing an ITR under DTAA, you may claim a refund.
Easy memory rule:
- NRE → foreign money → tax-free
- NRO → Indian income → taxable
For NRIs, the account type decides profit more than the interest rate
Quick Comparison
| Feature | NRE | NRO | FCNR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax in India | No | Yes | No |
| Currency | INR | INR | Foreign currency |
| Repatriation | Full | Limited | Full |
| Currency risk | Yes | Yes | No |
| Used for | Foreign salary | Indian income | Overseas savings safety |
How to choose: Top 7 points
When NRIs choose SBI deposits in 2026, the decision is not only “which gives a higher %”. Real decision is tax, rupee value, and how soon you may need money.
- 1) One-year lock mistake = NRE and FCNR FDs give zero interest if closed before 1 year. Many people don’t know this. If you may need money within 6 months, better keep in NRO FD. Interest will be taxable, but at least you earn something.
- 2) NRO tax shock = NRO FD interest faces about 31.2% TDS. So never move foreign salary into NRO just for a slightly higher rate. Tax loss becomes bigger than extra return.
- 3) Rupee vs Dollar reality = Rupee normally weakens ~3–5% yearly against USD. So a 6.45% NRE FD may practically become only ~1–2% real gain globally. If you may go back abroad, keep some savings in FCNR.
- 4) Exchange conversion loss = Every AED/USD conversion to rupees costs about 1–2% margin. Moving money frequently means silent losses. FCNR avoids this because the currency stays same.
- 5) Family usage = For parents’ monthly expenses, NRO works best since residents can operate it. NRE/FCNR are restrictive.
- 6) 444-day sweet spot = SBI “Amrit Vrishti” (~6.45%) currently better than long 5-year deposits, which actually pay lower rates.
- 7) Don’t break FD in an emergency = Instead take a loan against FD (about 1% above the FD rate). You get cash, but FD continues earning.
FAQs
Is NRE or NRO better for NRI FD?
If money earned abroad, NRE better — tax zero and full repatriation allowed. If income from India like rent, pension, or dividends, you must use NRO; bank will not permit NRE deposit.
What interest comes in SBI NRE/NRO savings account?
As of 2026, SBI pays about 2.50% yearly on both NRE and NRO savings accounts. So these accounts mainly for transactions, not real investment growth or wealth creation.
Do senior citizens get extra interest in SBI NRI FD?
In 2026 SBI gives +0.50% (60+ age) and +0.60% (80+) only on NRO deposits. NRE FDs do not get senior benefit because foreign-income deposits already receive tax-free treatment.
Which bank gives 9.5% interest on FD in India?
No large bank like SBI, HDFC, ICICI gives 9.5% in 2026. Only some small NBFC or cooperative banks advertise near 9–9.5%, but risk higher. Always check RBI registration before investing.
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