A FIRA or FIRC from Federal Bank is the bank's own proof that a foreign payment reached your account, and service exporters need it to close EDF entries and support GST refund claims. The fastest way to get one is to ask your Federal Bank branch or relationship manager in writing, quoting the remittance date, amount, currency and sender for each payment. Then check every detail on it before you file it away.
Key takeaways
- FIRA (advice) and FIRC (certificate) both evidence an inward foreign remittance; ask your bank which form it issues.
- You use it to match payments to EDF entries, especially for invoices above ₹10 lakh, and as proof of realisation for GST.
- Request it per remittance or in a batch, with full payment details, through the channel Federal Bank tells you.
- Check the purpose code, remitter, amount and date against your invoice and EDF row.
- Fix errors early; a wrong purpose code or remitter name can delay EDPMS closure and your eBRC.
FIRA or FIRC: what you are asking for
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical. A FIRA, Foreign Inward Remittance Advice, is an advice the bank issues for an inward credit. A FIRC, Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, is a certificate confirming the same facts. Both show that foreign money came in and carry the purpose code under which the bank classified it.
Which one you get, and in what format, depends on Federal Bank's current practice. For most service-export purposes, what matters is that the document identifies the remittance clearly and is issued by the bank. Our explainer on FIRA vs FIRC covers the difference in more depth, and the glossary entry on FIRA gives the short version.
What you will use it for
| Use | Why the FIRA or FIRC matters |
|---|---|
| Closing EDPMS entries above ₹10 lakh | The bank needs the invoice, payment evidence and matching instructions |
| ₹10 lakh declarations | Not strictly attached, but you should hold evidence for each invoice you declare as realised |
| GST refund claims | Your CA may use it as proof that export proceeds were received in foreign exchange |
| eBRC follow-up | Helps the bank trace a payment that has not been matched |
| Audit and income tax | Supports your foreign receipts and any foreign tax credit discussion |
| Client disputes | Shows exactly what arrived, when and from whom |
For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, the bank may close the EDPMS entry on your declaration of realisation, so you may not need to send the FIRA every time. Keep it on file anyway.
How to request a FIRA or FIRC from Federal Bank
Federal Bank publishes its own process, and channels can change, so start by asking your branch or relationship manager how it issues inward remittance advices or certificates. Some exporters receive them automatically; others need to ask. Do not rely on menu paths or turnaround times quoted on forums.
When you ask, give the bank everything it needs to find each payment without guessing:
- Your account name and number.
- Date of credit, currency and foreign-currency amount.
- Name of the remitter as it appears on the payment.
- Any remittance reference you have.
- The purpose of the payment, such as export of software services against invoice number X.
- Whether you need a FIRA or FIRC, and in what form (signed copy, PDF).
Our FIRC request letter has these fields built in, so you can list several remittances in one letter. If you are asking for a quarter's worth of payments, a single letter with a table is easier for the branch than ten separate emails.
What to check on the document
A FIRA or FIRC that looks official can still contain a detail that causes trouble later. Compare each one with your invoice and EDF row.
| Detail on FIRA or FIRC | Compare with | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Remitter name | Client name on invoice and Part 2B | A parent company or unknown payer |
| Foreign-currency amount | Invoice amount and NRV | Shortfall not explained by charges |
| Currency | Invoice currency | Paid in a different currency |
| Date of credit | Within 9 months of invoice date | Outside the realisation window |
| Purpose code | Service on your invoice | Code describing something else |
| Rupee amount and rate | Your books | Large gap needing an explanation |
If the remitter is not your client, you may be dealing with a third-party payment, which can need extra documents. If the purpose code is wrong, ask the bank to correct it promptly, giving the reference and the correct code.
A worked example
Varsha Analytics LLP, a Thrissur data science consultancy, banks with Federal Bank. Between January and March 2027 it received four payments from clients in the US and Netherlands: USD 6,000, USD 3,200, EUR 9,800 and EUR 2,400.
At the end of March, the finance manager writes one letter to the branch listing all four remittances in a table with dates, amounts, remitters and invoice numbers, and asks for FIRCs. When they arrive, she checks each one. Three match perfectly. The fourth, the EUR 9,800 payment, shows a purpose code for advertising instead of the business consultancy code that fits Varsha's work.
That invoice is above ₹10 lakh at Varsha's book rate, so it needs matching with payment evidence. She writes to the bank asking for the purpose code to be corrected, attaches the invoice, and waits for the corrected document before sending matching instructions. The three smaller invoices go onto the quarterly realisation declaration.
If you are filing your EDFs with Federal Bank as well, our guide to the Federal Bank EDF process covers the earlier steps.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Clients paying from a different entity: ask them to pay from the contracting entity, or keep a letter explaining the arrangement.
- Combined payments for several invoices: ask the client to quote all invoice numbers in the payment reference.
- Charges deducted abroad: record the net amount as your net realisable value and keep the bank advice showing deductions.
- Requests made months later: ask soon after each credit, while details are fresh for both you and the branch.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Federal Bank's own policies decide what it issues and how, so confirm with your branch.
Frequently asked questions
Does Federal Bank issue a FIRA or a FIRC?
That depends on the bank's current practice and the type of remittance. Ask your branch or relationship manager which document you will receive and in what format, and whether you need to request it or it is issued automatically.
Is there a fee for a FIRC from Federal Bank?
Bank charges are set by each bank and can change. Ask Federal Bank for its current schedule of charges rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.
Can I get one FIRC for several payments?
Some banks issue a document per remittance, while others may provide consolidated statements. You can request several in one letter, but ask the bank how it will issue them, since EDF matching usually works payment by payment.
What if the FIRC shows the wrong purpose code?
Write to the bank promptly with the remittance details, the code shown and the correct code, and attach the invoice. A correct code makes matching to your EDF entry far smoother.
Do I need a FIRC for every invoice under ₹10 lakh?
For those invoices, the bank may close EDPMS entries on your declaration that payment was received. You may not need to submit the FIRC, but you should still hold evidence of each payment in your records.
Bottom line
Request your Federal Bank FIRA or FIRC promptly, with full payment details, and check every field against your invoice and EDF. Our free FIRC request letter makes asking for several remittances at once quick and tidy.
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.