How ultra HNIs can future-proof overseas education for their children

Mint

3 days ago

For ultra-high-net-worth families, a foreign education for their children is now a default milestone in their long-term planning. It is not just an academic decision but also a strategy for global mobility, wealth planning, and legacy building.
Today, nearly every HNI family either has a child studying overseas or one preparing for it. This journey for a family is centred around numerous financial decisions and hence regulations. Following is a breakdown of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations, key tax implications and strategic planning steps required to help families approach international education in a compliant and future-ready manner.
As costs rise and global regulations evolve, a well-structured approach has become more essential than ever.
The Indian regulatory framework
For UHNI families with diverse portfolios, family offices or international holdings, funding their child's education can be a complex process. It includes coordinating multiple sources of funding, managing international bank accounts in the child's name and offshore investments.
Navigating these complexities requires clarity on the regulatory framework set by the RBI. Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), governed by the RBI, students going abroad for education are classified as non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the time they leave India, provided their intention is to stay abroad for an uncertain period, even if the course has a defined duration.
This decision was made considering that many students work part-time or receive scholarships, making them financially independent from their families in India. Once designated as NRIs, they are entitled to a range of benefits:
Keeping these benefits in consideration, UHNI families can plan their wealth management and international mobility goals efficiently.
Considerations for UHNI families
UHNI families typically have more complex wealth structures and longer planning horizons. Here are a few ways in which they can ensure a smooth and compliant process, keeping all their goals in mind:
These dynamics influence decisions such as long-term residency, making strategic education planning even more critical for UHNI families. Alternatively, families may choose to explore residency or citizenship by investment to reduce the impact of rising fees and visa limitations.
Ensure that all the tax and foreign worker programs are clearly understood in the host country. Choosing the right country and leveraging tax-efficient funding structures can help optimize both educational outcomes and wealth preservation.
For UHNI families, it is imperative that they work with experienced, multi-jurisdictional advisors like immigration consultants, private bankers and wealth managers, and cross-border tax experts to align their children's education journey with broader legacy, wealth transfer and mobility goals. This ensures long-term compliance in asset structuring across jurisdictions.
Ashvini Chopra, head –family office solutions, Avendus Wealth Management. Views are personal.