Difference Between FERA and FEMA

Whenever it comes to foreign exchange, the two terms are commonly heard, such as FERA and FEMA. The first introduction was the foreign exchange regulation act in 1973. Then, FEMA emerged to improve the protocols and replace the old ones.

The foreign exchange management act had excellent terms for people to go for regulating currencies. Both help to do the foreign exchange, that is forex.

There is a noticeable difference between FERA and FEMA. The former needs the approval of RBI, while the latter does not depend on RBI approval.

More specifically, FERA regulates foreign exchange in India, and FEMA facilitates the promotion of payments in the country. To know the major difference between both of them, read the post given below –

Regarding FERA

The elaboration of the active foreign exchange regulation act was established in 1973. The objective of the act was to buy fixed assets from foreigners. It helps for making the settlements in the form of payments. It is a great option for India to go for the export and import of the currency. The act manages all the citizens of India, including inside and outside. Utilizing foreign exchange is great for the development of the economy.

The prime objective of FERA –

• To regulate the security in the deal of foreign exchange is managed by FERA.
• The import and export of currencies are done under the FERA act.
• Under the FERA, foreign exchange is done that is affecting indirectly.
• Even by not being a country resident, the hold of immovable properties can be done under FERA.

Regarding FEMA

To encourage the development of the forex market, the old act was expanded, the foreign exchange management act. The central objective of FEMA is to facilitate foreign exchange and cover all residents of India. It includes the citizen inside and outside of the country. It is repealing the earlier act introduced in 1999 that applies to all countries. The best part of the act is the owner is an Indian resident. The total number of chapters in the act is seven, further divided into different sections.

The prime objective of FEMA –

• FEMA gives freedom to the residents of the country to transfer money.
• Under this act, it manages the foreign securities and even the property outside the area.
• The limit of the NRI account has changed from Rs.20,000 – to Rs.50,000.

Comparison	FERA	FEMA
Approval	Old	New
Appeal	Robust	Flexible
Residential status	Citizenship	6 months of stay in india
Infringement	Criminal offence	Civil offence
Penalizing	Imprisonment	Monetary penalty
Sections	81	49
Foreign exchange	Typical	Satiating

Key Differences –

1. The intent of FERA and FEMA

The introduction of FEMA and FERA has significant differences. On the one hand, FERA covers foreign exchange activities and even regulates the payments. The marginal role of this act is to execute the external trade correctly. On the other hand, FEMA facilitates foreign exchange management in the country.

2. Residential Status

When it comes to residential status, FERA and FEMA are both different from each other. Any person can take use FERA in the city. This is great for the foreign exchange, while FEMA can only be taken for the foreign exchange if a person has lived for at least six months in India. Otherwise, the transactions cannot be made under this act.

3. Punishment

FERA is an act that is a non-compoundable offense, while FEMA is compoundable. Speaking broadly, when a person wants to make a complaint against the accused under FERA, they are not supposed to do so. At the same time, FEMA is the act through which people can agree with their accused by paying the charges. It helps them to attract the penalties and even with some efforts taken let people in jail. This provision is not under FERA.

4. Year of validation

The foreign exchange regulation act was implemented in 1973 to control foreign exchange, particularly in India. The foreign exchange management act is a better version of the previous one to enhance the efficiency of the foreign exchange market. It was introduced in 1999.

5. Methodology

FERA is having outstanding at working for foreign exchange. It is the conservative process that is maintained by the professionals. 81 sections in it handles the foreign exchange market in detail. FEMA is having 49 sections that gives flexible approach to people for the management.

Summary

FERA and FEMA was the act introduced by the Parliament to regulate foreign exchange. The older act was FERA, while the improvement and flexibility for people to go for the exchange of currencies made the efficient FEMA. The implication of the FERA applies to citizens of India, while FEMA only applies to those who live for six months in India. To understand the fundamental differences between the acts, read the above information.