Financial Emergencies
If a U.S. citizen’s money has been lost or stolen in India, the Consulate can help receive funds from friends or relatives in the U.S. If you need help in transferring funds to an American citizen in India, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Chennai at (0)44-2857-4000. If you are calling from the United States, first dial 011-91-44-.
The most efficient way to get money to a U.S. citizen in India is to deposit money in that person's U.S. bank account, and have the person withdraw the money in India using an ATM card.
If that option is not possible, we suggest wiring money through Western Union by following the instructions on their website. You may also contact them in India by phone at 1-800-435-2226 or 1600-44-1851.
Funds Transfer
If neither the ATM nor Western Union option is possible, you can do a funds transfers through a bank. Please be advised that this service can take up to 14 days for the cash to become available in India.
Many American banks are affiliated with Indian banks and will readily transfer funds. Please ask your American bank for information. American banks with branches in India include American Express, Citibank and the Bank of America.
American Express does not assist persons who are not cardholders.
Citibank advises that funds transfers can take up to 14 days.
Western Union offers a money transfer service to participating SITA travel agents in 15 cities in India. For more information, contact a SITA travel agency if you are in India, or call Western Union at 800-325-6000 if you are in the U.S.
Emergency Funds Transfer to the Consulate
In a genuine emergency, a U.S. citizen can have funds transferred from the U.S. through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS), Department of State, Washington, DC.
Please contact OCS at 888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444) for information on how to send money. When the Consulate receives notification from the State Department, funds are released in rupees or dollars to the U.S. citizen recipient.
This service is for true emergencies only, when time does not allow transfer of funds through normal banking channels. Funds should not exceed the amount needed to resolve the emergency situation and should not be used for commercial transactions. Large sums (over $1,000) should be avoided.
General information on the range of emergency services available to U.S. citizens overseas is available here.
Questions?
Email: chennaics@state.gov