How much foreign currency can you take from India while on a business trip abroad?
For business trips abroad to countries, other than to Nepal and Bhutan, a person can avail of foreign exchange up to $25,000 per visit. Please note, that you can carry currency up to an amount of $3000 only and the balance has to be by way of travelers cheque or banker's draft.
Visits in connection with attending of an international conference, seminar, specialised training, study tour, apprentice training, etc., are treated as business visits.
Can you than carry an amount in excess of $25000?
Release of foreign exchange exceeding $25,000 for business travel abroad (other than to Nepal and Bhutan), irrespective of the period of stay, requires prior permission from the Reserve Bank of India.
If you are on a private visit to countries abroad, you can carry a maximum of $10,000. The amount of $25,000 is available only for business trips.
The limits have been placed keeping in mind the need to conserve foreign currency. It's highly possible that the government may increase the limit once the current account deficit comes under control.
The norms for carrying foreign currency are different for different set of travelers going abroad from India. For example, students have different facilities and amounts while carrying foreign exchange and those for medical treatment have different amounts.
Read more on How much foreign currency can Indian students avail for studying abroad here