Sending Money to India as a Consultant
Guide for consultants in the US sending USD to India. Visa rules, tax implications, limits, and how Root works for your situation.
As a management or IT consultant in the US, you likely earn in USD and frequently send money to family or for investments in India. Your visa status (H-1B, L-1, etc.) doesn’t restrict international transfers, but tax and compliance rules apply. This guide covers everything you need to know about sending USD to INR securely and efficiently, including how TCS and Indian banking rules affect your remittances.
Consultants typically send between $2,000 and $10,000 per transfer, often monthly or quarterly, to support family, pay for education, or invest in real estate. Many work on short-term contracts or with multiple clients, leading to variable income patterns. Since consultants often maintain strong financial ties to India, efficient, low-cost remittances are critical.
What You Need to Know
No Visa-Based Transfer Limits
Your US visa status (H-1B, L-1, F-1, etc.) does not restrict your ability to send money to India. As a non-resident, you’re free to remit earnings, provided funds are from legitimate sources and comply with FEMA guidelines.
TCS Applies on Large Remittances
If you or your recipient has received more than ₹7,00,000 in a financial year under LRS (even across platforms), 5% TCS will apply on the excess. This is collected at source by the remittance provider and remitted to Indian tax authorities. Factor this into your planning for transfers over $8,400.
Employer Restrictions Are Rare
Most consulting firms do not restrict personal international transfers. However, if you’re on a contract via a third-party firm or staffing agency, confirm there are no clauses limiting financial activity related to overseas accounts.
Income Source Documentation May Be Needed
Root may ask for proof of income (e.g., recent pay stubs, 1099 forms, or bank statements) for high-value or frequent transfers to comply with anti-money laundering rules — typical for consultants with variable income streams.
How to Send — Step by Step
Download Root & Create Your Account
Sign up using your US address and valid ID. Verify your identity with a government-issued document (passport or driver’s license). Root uses bank-grade encryption to secure your data.
Pro tip: Use your real name as it appears on your US bank account to avoid transfer delays.
Link Your US Bank Account
Connect your checking account via secure Plaid integration or manual entry. Root supports major banks like Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and credit unions.
Pro tip: Verify your account quickly with a small deposit test to start sending faster.
Enter Recipient’s India Bank Details
Add beneficiary name, account number, IFSC code, and bank branch. Root only supports NRO and regular savings/current accounts; NRE support is coming soon.
Pro tip: Double-check the IFSC code — errors here cause failed transfers and delays.
Enter Transfer Amount & Lock the Rate
Input how much INR you want to send. Root shows the live USD-to-INR rate with no hidden fees. Confirm the amount and review TCS implications if applicable.
Pro tip: Large transfers? Split across financial years to manage TCS impact.
Confirm & Send
Review the summary, including total INR expected and estimated delivery time (usually within minutes to 24 hours). Confirm the transfer securely in-app.
Pro tip: Save your recipient as a favorite for faster future sends.
Track & Receive Delivery Confirmation
Get real-time updates via email and push notifications. Root notifies you the moment funds hit the recipient’s account in India.
Pro tip: Share tracking details with family so they know when to expect funds.
Root is Built for Consultants Like You
Zero fees, interbank rate. Send money to India in minutes.
Get StartedFrequently Asked Questions
Do H-1B or L-1 visa holders need special permission to send money to India?
No. Visa status does not restrict personal remittances. As long as funds are from legal income (salary, consulting fees), you can send money freely to India under FEMA guidelines.
How does the 5% TCS affect my consulting income transfers?
If the total amount sent to a recipient in India exceeds ₹7,00,000 in a financial year (April to March), 5% TCS is applied by the remittance provider on the excess. This is not a tax but a preemptive collection creditable against your recipient's income tax liability in India.
Can I send money from my 1099 consulting income?
Yes. If you're an independent consultant with 1099 income, you can use Root to send money to India. Be prepared to provide recent 1099s or bank statements as source-of-funds documentation for larger transfers.
What bank account types in India can I send to?
Root currently supports NRO accounts and regular savings or current accounts in India. NRE account support is planned and will be available soon.
Is there a limit on how much I can send as a consultant?
No specific limit applies to NRIs sending money to India. While India’s LRS caps resident individuals at $250,000 per year, that rule does not apply to you as an NRI. However, transfers over ₹7,00,000 trigger 5% TCS on the excess amount.
Is the US Excise Tax on international wire transfers in effect?
As of early 2026, the proposed 1% US Excise Tax on international wire transfers has not been enacted. Current transfers are not subject to this tax, but monitor official IRS updates for any legislative changes.