How Much Cash Can You Carry from India to USA: A Guide for International Students Going to Study Abroad [2025]

So, you're heading to the United States for your studies – that's awesome! Getting ready for such a big move involves a lot, and one thing you need to figure out is how much money you can take with you.

Quick Answer: How Much Cash Can You Carry from India to USA

When traveling from India to the USA, students can carry:

• Up to 25,000 INR in Indian currency notes.
• Foreign currency (like USD):
  • Up to 5,000 USD in cash without declaring it.
  • Up to 10,000 USD in total foreign exchange (including cash, bank notes, and traveler's checks) without declaring it.

If you have more than this, you HAVE to declare it. Let's dive into the details in our guide to help you understand the rules about carrying cash from India to the USA. We'll go over how much Indian money and foreign money (like US dollars) you can carry, what you need to tell the authorities, and introduce Wise as a convenient option to remit money from India to fund your study abroad expenses.

Can Students Take Cash on International Flights?

Yes, students can take cash on international flights. But you've got to stick to the limits and rules of both India and the USA. It's a good idea to have some cash with you when you arrive, for things like getting from the airport, food, and other stuff you need right away.

But, carrying big amounts of cash may not be the safest option. To cover bigger expenses like like tuition and onoing living expenses, money transfer could be more efficient. In this article, we'll also introduce you to Wise - a completely online platform that offers low, transparent fees, and mid-market rates without any markups on international transfers from India.

How Much Cash Can You Take Out of India?

To be 100% sure you have the latest info, check out the official guide for travelers from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Here's a breakdown of the current rules:

• Indian Currency: You're allowed to carry up to 25,000 INR in Indian cash. Remember, you can't just export unlimited Indian currency, but residents can carry this much when going abroad.
• Foreign Currency: You can take out any amount of foreign currency, like USD, as long as you bought it from a bank or money exchange that's approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Make sure you have a receipt and documentation to prove where you got the money.
• NRIs: If you're a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) who's been in India, and you're carrying foreign currency you brought in, you can take out the amount you told Customs about when you arrived. If you didn't have to declare it when you came in (for amounts up to 5,000 USD in cash or 10,000 USD in total foreign exchange), then that's generally the limit for what you can take out.

For more details, please review our complete guide to taking cash in or out of India.

How Much Cash Can You Bring Into the USA?

It's also important to know the rules of the country you're going to. For the latest on bringing money into the USA, check out the official US Travel Money reference.

The current rules for bringing cash into the USA are:

• You can bring any amount of money into or out of the U.S.
• BUT, if you're carrying more than 10,000 USD in cash or things like money orders, you HAVE to tell U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• This means filling out a form called FinCEN Form 105 and giving it to CBP.

Failure to declare money over 10,000 USD can result in severe penalties, including seizure of the currency and severe legal consequences.

For more details, please review our complete guide to taking cash in or out of USA.

So, How Much Cash Should Students Carry From India to USA?

So putting it all together, here's what makes sense for students traveling from India to the USA:

• Indian Rupees: Stick to 25,000 INR. This is enough for small expenses at the airport in India before you leave.
• US Dollars: You can carry up to 10,000 USD without needing to declare it when you arrive in the US.

But think about whether you really need to carry that much. It might feel safer to carry less. Just take what you need for when you first get there, like for transport, food, and basics. And remember to carry documentation from an authorized dealer for the source of your USD.

Meet Wise: Convenient Online Money Transfer from India

While it's okay to have some cash, there are much better ways to manage most of your money while you're studying. Wise offers a convenient online service for sending money internationally from India.

Send Money with Wise 👉

It's great for international students because:

• Wise offers you the mid-market exchange rate, without adding any markups.
• Wise tells you exactly what the fees and taxes are before you send money, so there are no surprises.
• Wise is completely digital process with online KYC, which you can complete from home.

Wise Account for International Students

For international students starting their journey in US, opening a local account as soon as you can will make it much easier to handle your money, pay bills, and receive funds. Our guide for international student bank account in US covers what you need to know. For a great student account alternative, meet the Wise Multi-Currency Account, which is free to open and has no minimum balance requirements.

Open your Wise Account 🚀

Available to residents of supported countries, Wise provides you with USD account details, plus let's you keep and manage money in 40+ currencies, including INR, all in the same account. You get international transfers with the same mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees - which can be great for sending money back home.

Planning your finances is a big part of getting ready to study in the USA. While it's okay to carry a bit of cash for when you first arrive, it's much better to use secure and easy methods like online money transfer services for most of your money. By knowing the rules, using the right tools, and planning ahead, you can make sure your finances are smooth and stress-free while you're in the United States.