Simplified Cross-Border Investing for
Non-Resident Indians
Investing in India as an NRI, PIO, or OCI involves specific rules around bank account setup, tax documentation, and regulatory compliance. Getting these fundamentals right from the beginning ensures your transactions process smoothly and your funds remain easy to repatriate if needed. We assist global Indian investors across the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore, Australia, and other regions. We manage the entire onboarding and paperwork process to help you comfortably in financial products.
Get StartedWhy NRIs and PIOs Invest in India?
Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) approaches India with a specific objective of participation in the growth of one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. Successful cross-border investing requires a rock-solid foundation: navigating complex regulatory frameworks, setting up the right account structures, ensuring tax efficiency, and picking high-conviction assets.
We simplify the process and guide you at every step, helping you invest in India with greater clarity, confidence, and convenience.
Account Structuring
Every NRI investment in India begins with the appropriate bank account structure. The account type selected determines the repatriability of funds and the applicable tax treatment.
| NRE Account | NRO Account | FCNR Account** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holds | Foreign income remitted to India | Income earned in India (rent, dividends, pension, etc.) | Foreign currency, as a term deposit |
| Currency | Indian Rupees | Indian Rupees | Foreign currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.) |
| Repatriation | Fully repatriable, no limit | Up to USD 1 million per financial year, after tax compliance | Fully repatriable, no limit |
| Taxability | Interest is tax-free in India | Interest and other income are taxable in India | Interest is tax-free in India |
| Typically used for | Fresh, fully repatriable investments | Investing India-sourced income; non-repatriable investments | Parking foreign currency funds usually move to an NRE account before investing |
NRE Account
Holds
Foreign income remitted to India
Currency
Indian Rupees
Repatriation
Fully repatriable, no limit
Taxability
Interest is tax-free in India
Typically used for
Fresh, fully repatriable investments
NRO Account
Holds
Income earned in India (rent, dividends, pension, etc.)
Currency
Indian Rupees
Repatriation
Up to USD 1 million per financial year, after tax compliance
Taxability
Interest and other income are taxable in India
Typically used for
Investing India-sourced income; non-repatriable investments
FCNR Account**
Holds
Foreign currency, as a term deposit
Currency
Foreign currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.)
Repatriation
Fully repatriable, no limit
Taxability
Interest is tax-free in India
Typically used for
Parking foreign currency funds usually move to an NRE account before investing
**FCNR: it's a Fixed Deposit account, not a launchpad for mutual funds or PMS directly. To invest, funds usually need to move from FCNR into an NRE account first.
Where can you invest through us?
Mutual Funds
Invest in equity, debt and hybrid Mutual Fund schemes through permitted NRE or NRO banking channels. Repatriation of investment proceeds will depend on the source of funds, applicable FEMA provisions, tax compliance and prevailing RBI regulations. Mutual fund investments generally do not require a PIS-linked bank account or demat account.
PMS
Invest in SEBI-regulated discretionary or non-discretionary PMS strategies, subject to the minimum investment requirement of ₹50 lakh prescribed under the applicable SEBI regulations. We are empanelled with portfolio managers including Abakkus, Carnelian, Green Lantern, ValueQuest and many more. PMS investments involve direct ownership of listed securities and require a PIS-linked bank account and demat account.
AIF
Participate in SEBI-registered Category I, Category II or Category III AIFs, depending on the fund's investment mandate and risk profile. The minimum investment is generally ₹1 crore per investor, subject to applicable SEBI regulations and permitted exemptions. Each fund may have distinct eligibility criteria, investment terms, liquidity provisions and risk factors.
Fixed Income
Invest in Bonds, Corporate deposits and structured debt opportunities, subject to issuer eligibility, credit quality, tenure, liquidity, taxation and applicable regulatory requirements. Product suitability will depend on the investor's risk profile, income objectives, investment horizon and repatriation requirements.
Insurance
Access Life and Health Insurance solutions structured for eligible NRIs, subject to IRDAI regulations, insurer-specific underwriting and applicable FEMA provisions. Premium payment, policy ownership, benefits, maturity proceeds and claim repatriation will be governed by the policy terms and prevailing regulatory requirements.
Dollar Denominated Investments
Access eligible investment opportunities denominated in US dollars, subject to applicable regulatory, tax, remittance and jurisdictional requirements. These solutions may help eligible global Indians diversify beyond Indian assets, manage currency exposure and pursue long-term wealth creation through internationally diversified portfolios.
Investing in India as a US or Canada-Based NRI: What You Need to Know
As an NRI residing in the United States or Canada, you can actively participate in India's growth story across various asset classes including Mutual Funds, Portfolio Management Services (PMS), Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), Corporate Bonds, and Direct Equities. However, navigating cross-border compliance requires an understanding of specific onboarding protocols.
Due to stringent reporting mandates under the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Canada's Common Reporting Standard (CRS), Indian financial institutions must maintain detailed tax records. As a result, certain fund houses and product issuers limit new accounts from these jurisdictions to avoid additional compliance overheads.
Taxation Framework for NRI Investments in India
Tax regulations governing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) differ from resident investors across multiple asset classes and operational mechanisms. This overview provides general regulatory awareness; investors must consult an independent Chartered Accountant or cross-border tax professional to assess their specific tax status and treaty positions.
Equity-Oriented Mutual Funds
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) on units held for up to 12 months are taxed at 20% (plus applicable surcharge and cess). Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) on units held for more than 12 months are taxed at 12.5% on aggregate gains exceeding ₹1.25 lakh in a financial year.
Debt & Non-Equity Funds
Tax treatment for specified debt and hybrid mutual funds depends on the date of acquisition, underlying portfolio asset allocation, and the specific classification under Indian tax statutes.
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
Unlike resident individuals, NRIs are subject to mandatory TDS deducted by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) at the time of redemption at prevailing statutory rates. Any variance between the TDS deducted and the investor's final effective tax liability can be reconciled by filing an Indian Income Tax Return (ITR).
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Relief
Where India maintains a DTAA treaty with the investor's country of tax residence, investors may avail of concessional withholding tax rates. This requires timely submission of a valid Tax Residency Certificate (TRC), Form 10F, and self-declarations before executing transactions.
Legislative Framework (Income-tax Act, 2025)
The direct tax statutory framework transitioned to the Income-tax Act, 2025 (effective 1 April 2026). While capital gains rates and structural principles remain consistent, statutory section references, terminology, and filing forms have been updated.
Cross-Border Liquidity and Repatriation Framework for NRIs
Repatriation of investment proceeds and balances held in India is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) alongside the statutory compliance guidelines of the Income-tax Department.
NRE & FCNR Accounts (Freely Repatriable)
Principal amounts and investment proceeds held in Non-Resident External (NRE) or Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) accounts are fully and freely repatriable without any upper monetary ceiling. Remittances are processed through Authorized Dealer (AD) Category-I banks upon submission of a standard foreign exchange application (Form A2).
NRO Accounts (USD 1 Million Scheme)
Under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance/Repatriation guidelines for Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts, NRIs are permitted to remit up to USD 1 million per financial year (net of applicable taxes) across all consolidated NRO holdings for eligible bona fide purposes.
How Investment Ideas Supports Your Cross-Border Investments
Investment Ideas provides end-to-end operational facilitation and distribution support, ensuring that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can participate in Indian capital markets smoothly, efficiently, and in strict alignment with regulatory frameworks.
Account Structuring Alignment
Guidance on routing investments via NRE, NRO, or FCNR accounts to match your repatriation needs.
KYC & Onboarding
End-to-end management of FATCA/CRS declarations and documentation to prevent application rejections.
AMC Eligibility Tracking
Real-time monitoring of fund houses actively accepting jurisdiction-specific NRIs (e.g., US and Canada).
Unified Support
A single point of contact across Mutual Funds, PMS, AIFs, Fixed Income, and Insurance.
Regulatory Updates
Proactive communication on evolving cross-border compliance and repatriation workflows, such as the recent Form 145/146 protocols.
Getting Started
Profile & Account Assessment
Share your country of tax residence and current banking status whether you maintain existing NRE/NRO accounts or require assistance with new account setup.
Product & Regulatory Alignment
We identify the compliant banking channels, eligible asset management companies (AMCs), and suitable product avenues tailored to your profile.
KYC & Compliance Verification
Complete end-to-end KYC registration alongside mandatory FATCA/CRS self-certifications and required declarations.
Capital Deployment
Fund your designated NRE/NRO account and initiate investments seamlessly via SIP, lump sum, or structured onboarding for PMS and AIFs.
Important Disclaimer
Cross-border investments and repatriation of funds are subject to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) FEMA guidelines, statutory withholding tax (TDS) provisions, and applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA). Investors are strongly advised to independently evaluate home-country regulatory and tax obligations (including US PFIC reporting and Canadian foreign reporting rules) with a qualified Chartered Accountant or tax consultant.
Acceptance of investment applications from US, Canada, or other specific international jurisdictions is governed by individual Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and product issuers in accordance with their internal risk and FATCA/CRS compliance frameworks.
This page is not an offer, solicitation, or invitation to invest in any jurisdiction where such an offer would be unlawful, including as may apply to US Persons or residents of Canada under local securities laws. NRIs based in these or similarly regulated jurisdictions should independently confirm eligibility with the relevant fund house before investing.
Past performance is not indicative of future returns.