A FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) or FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) is Bank of Baroda's written proof that foreign money reached your account, with the amount, date, remitter and purpose code. To get one, ask your Bank of Baroda branch or relationship manager for the FIRA or FIRC against a specific inward remittance, quoting the date, amount and remitter. You'll use it to close invoices in EDPMS after filing your EDF, and as evidence of foreign-exchange receipt for GST.
Key takeaways
- FIRA and FIRC both prove an inward remittance; banks use the terms differently, so ask what Bank of Baroda issues.
- Request it per remittance, quoting date, amount, currency and remitter name.
- Check every FIRA for remitter name, amount, currency, date and purpose code before filing it away.
- Use it with your EDF records to close EDPMS entries; above ₹10 lakh the bank will want payment evidence.
- We don't publish fees or online paths; Bank of Baroda sets its own process and charges.
FIRA or FIRC: what's the difference?
In everyday banking, "FIRA" is usually a transaction advice issued for each inward remittance, and "FIRC" is a more formal certificate, sometimes issued on request. Practices vary between banks and over time. What matters for you is that the document:
- identifies your account as beneficiary
- shows the remitter, currency, amount and date of credit
- carries a purpose code
- is issued by your bank
If Bank of Baroda gives you a FIRA in a format your CA or the GST department accepts, you may not need a separate FIRC. Our FIRA vs FIRC explainer goes into the detail.
What you'll use it for
| Use | Why the FIRA/FIRC matters |
|---|---|
| Closing EDPMS entries | Shows the invoice listed on your EDF was paid |
| ₹10 lakh declaration | Backs up your declaration that small invoices were realised |
| GST export conditions | Evidence that payment came in convertible foreign exchange |
| GST refund claims | Commonly asked for when you claim refunds of IGST or unused credit |
| Audit and income tax | Reconciles revenue with bank credits |
| Client disputes | Shows exactly what reached you after charges |
How to ask Bank of Baroda for it
There's no need to guess at menu paths. A clear written request to your branch or relationship manager works with any bank. Include:
- Your account name and number.
- Date of credit, currency and amount for each remittance.
- Remitter name as it appears on your statement.
- The invoice number(s) the payment relates to.
- Whether you need a FIRA, a FIRC or both, and in what form (physical or digital).
Our FIRC request letter template has this structure ready. If Bank of Baroda offers FIRAs or advices through its online channels for your account type, your RM can show you where.
Request many at once
If you received several remittances in a quarter, list them in one table in a single letter. Brindavan Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd, a fictional Vadodara e-learning content firm, sends one request each quarter:
| Credit date | Currency | Amount | Remitter | Invoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Oct-2026 | USD | 4,600 | Northgate Academy LLC | BLS/26-27/052 |
| 27-Oct-2026 | GBP | 2,150 | Elmwood Training Ltd | BLS/26-27/049 |
| 18-Nov-2026 | USD | 7,900 | Northgate Academy LLC | BLS/26-27/061 |
| 03-Dec-2026 | AUD | 5,300 | Kookaburra Skills Pty | BLS/26-27/066 |
One letter, four documents back, and the invoice column makes the bank's matching easy.
What to check on every FIRA
A FIRA with a wrong detail causes more work later than one you never asked for. Check:
| Item | What correct looks like | If it's wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary | Your exact legal name and account | Ask for reissue |
| Remitter | Your client, or a disclosed third party | Tell the bank which invoice it relates to |
| Amount and currency | As actually credited | Compare with the SWIFT message; note charges |
| Date of credit | Matches your statement | Ask for correction |
| Purpose code | A code that fits your service | Request correction quickly |
Purpose codes matter most. For e-learning content, a bank may suggest one code; for IT work, typically something like P0802; for consulting, P1006. Always confirm the right code for your service with the bank rather than guessing. If it's wrong, our purpose code correction letter explains the fix.
Linking the FIRA to your EDF
Since 1 October 2026, Brindavan lists every foreign invoice in a monthly EDF filed with Bank of Baroda. When a payment arrives:
- It notes the FIRA number against the invoice row in its EDF register.
- For invoices up to ₹10 lakh — which all four above are — it includes them in a periodic declaration that the money has been realised. Our ₹10 lakh realisation declaration tool prepares one.
- For any invoice above ₹10 lakh, it sends the invoice, FIRA and matching instruction to the bank.
Once realisation is matched, an eBRC can be generated, which helps with GST refunds and any export benefit claims.
When the money arrived but there's no FIRA yet
A few common reasons and what to do:
- Credit held for information. Banks sometimes hold an inward remittance until they know its purpose or get an EDF. Provide the invoice and, if due, the EDF.
- Payment through a platform. If the money came via a payment platform, the remitter on the advice may be the platform or its banking partner, not your client. Keep the platform's statement to connect the two.
- Old credits. For payments from months ago, ask the branch whether it can issue a FIRC retrospectively and what it needs from you.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Bank of Baroda's own process and charges apply.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a FIRC from Bank of Baroda?
Send a written request to your branch or relationship manager listing each inward remittance by date, currency, amount and remitter, and say whether you need a FIRA, FIRC or both. Ask whether Bank of Baroda provides these online for your account type.
Is a FIRA from Bank of Baroda enough for a GST refund?
GST export conditions require payment in convertible foreign exchange, and a bank FIRA or FIRC is common evidence. What the GST department accepts in a particular refund can vary, so ask your CA which document format to file.
Does Bank of Baroda charge for issuing a FIRC?
We don't publish bank charges because they vary and change. Ask your branch for the current schedule of charges for inward remittance documents.
What should I do if the purpose code on my FIRA is wrong?
Ask the bank to correct it as soon as you notice, with a short letter explaining the nature of your service and the invoice it relates to. Wrong codes can cause trouble later in GST and EDPMS matching.
Do I need a FIRA for invoices under ₹10 lakh?
For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, the bank may close EDPMS entries on your declaration that the money has been realised. It's still good practice to keep the FIRA or bank advice for each payment as backup for GST and audits.
Bottom line
Ask Bank of Baroda for a FIRA against each remittance, check it the day it arrives and link it to the matching EDF invoice. Use our free FIRC request letter to ask for several at once, and file the month's invoices through the Bank of Baroda EDF form.
This guide is general information for Indian businesses, not legal or tax advice. Rules and bank processes change — confirm specifics with your AD bank or chartered accountant.