RBI EDF Rule for Freelancers 2026: ₹10 Lakh Limit Explained
RBI notified on 2 November 2026 that a resident individual who exports services is deemed to have filed the EDF once the bank has the payment details. Other exporters get the same relief when the inward payment is ₹10 lakh or less, and the rule applies from 1 October 2026.
What changed
When: 1 October 2026. Notification dated 2 November 2026.
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Freelancer or individual exporter of services | |
| EDF filing for each export of services | Deemed to have filed the EDF when you give payment details to your bank |
| Business exporter, payment up to ₹10 lakh | |
| EDF filing | Deemed filed when payment details go to the bank |
| Business exporter, payment above ₹10 lakh | |
| EDF filing | No relief in this notification |
| Import of services | |
| Bank enters every import in IDPMS | Entry only for importers who are not resident individuals and where invoice or contract value is above ₹10 lakh |
What did RBI change for freelancers who export services?
RBI issued Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/(2)/2026-RB on 2 November 2026. It is the Second Amendment to the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, and it says it applies from 1 October 2026.
The notification defines a "resident individual" as a natural person who is resident in India. A freelancer, consultant or content creator who earns from clients abroad is covered if they file as an individual.
Do individuals still have to file the EDF for service exports?
For a resident individual, the exporter of services is deemed to have submitted the EDF when they give the information about receipt of payment to their Authorised Dealer, which is the bank that credits the money.
In plain words, you do not need a separate form. Telling your bank the details it asks for when the payment arrives is treated as the EDF.
What is the ₹10 lakh limit for other exporters?
A person who is not a resident individual, such as a company or a firm, gets the same deemed filing if the inward remittance for that service is not more than ₹10 lakh, or the same value in foreign currency.
The notification gives no such relief above ₹10 lakh. For larger payments, ask your bank how the EDF must be filed.
What changes when you import a service?
The bank now enters details of an import of service in IDPMS, within five working days of receiving the details, only for an importer who is not a resident individual and where the invoice or contract value is more than ₹10 lakh.
So a resident individual paying a foreign software or design provider is out of this entry. A business paying ₹10 lakh or less is also out of it.
How are the 1 October start and the 2 November notice linked?
The notification is dated 2 November 2026 and was published in the Official Gazette on 2 November 2026. It states that it comes into force from 1 October 2026. It amends the principal regulations dated 13 January 2026, which were amended once before on 22 September 2026.
If your bank asked you for an EDF on an export of services after 1 October, ask the branch whether the new deemed filing now applies.
Frequently asked questions
Do freelancers have to file an EDF for foreign payments now?
A resident individual is deemed to have submitted the EDF when they give the payment details to their bank for crediting the money. No separate form is needed under this notification.
What is the ₹10 lakh limit in the new RBI rule?
A person other than a resident individual gets the deemed filing if the inward remittance for the service is ₹10 lakh or less, or its equivalent in foreign currency.
From which date does the RBI export of services rule apply?
The notification is dated 2 November 2026 and says it comes into force from 1 October 2026.
Does this change anything for import of services?
Yes. The bank enters an import of service in IDPMS only for an importer who is not a resident individual and where the invoice or contract value is more than ₹10 lakh.
Freelancer ko ab EDF bharna padega kya?
Resident individual ke liye bank ko payment ki jaankari dena hi EDF jama karna maana jata hai. Alag form ki zarurat nahi. Business ke liye yeh chhoot ₹10 lakh tak ke payment par hai.
Short summary in Hinglish
RBI ne 2 November 2026 ko notification jaari ki: service export karne wale resident individual ke liye bank ko payment ki jaankari dena hi EDF jama karna maana jayega. Baaki exporters ko ₹10 lakh tak ke payment par yahi chhoot hai. Rule 1 October 2026 se lagu hai.
