Foreigners can’t carry rupees while returning from India

MUSCAT: Foreigners visiting India cannot take any Indian currency while leaving the country, a senior official from the Indian Embassy in Muscat has said.

However, Indian expatriates are allowed to carry Rs 25,000 (OMR150) while leaving India. “They can also bring Indian currency up to Rs 25,000 every time they visit India,” the official said.

This clarification comes after a message started circulating on social media that every Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and foreigner leaving India will have to compulsorily change Indian rupees in their possession into a foreign currency before they board the flight. “This is not correct. Only the foreigners have to change their currency before boarding flights,” the official clarified.

He also said any foreigner violating the rule could be penalised. “It is not a new rule. It has been there for quite a sometime,” the official clarified, adding that the rule also applies to Omani businessmen, who have business interests in India.

It’s a common practice among local Omanis to carry some amount of Indian currency with them when they leave the country, mainly for the convenience of not having to visit exchange houses for Indian rupees when they return the next time. “I didn’t know such a rule existed as I visit India very often,” said an Omani national.

According to embassy officials, in case these travellers have Indian currency notes in their possession before boarding the flight, Indian customs officials can act against these foreigners at the airports.