NRE account
- Money that goes in
- Income earned abroad, sent to India
- Taking money back out
- Principal and gains freely repatriable
- Interest on the bank balance
- Tax-free in India
- Investments made from it
- On a repatriable basis
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NRIs, OCIs & global Indians
Investing in India from abroad, step by step.
NRIs, OCIs and PIOs can invest in Indian mutual funds, SIFs, PMS, AIFs and bonds, subject to FEMA, SEBI and each provider’s own rules. Here is how bank accounts, KYC, tax and repatriation work, and where your country of residence makes a difference.
At a glance
- Who can invest
- NRIs, OCIs and PIOs
- Bank account
- NRE (repatriable) or NRO
- KYC
- PAN, passport, overseas address proof
- Tax in India
- Deducted at source when you redeem
- US & Canada
- Fewer fund houses accept; we check first
- Our role
- We distribute and help with onboarding
Based on rules as of November 2026. Rules and provider policies change; we confirm what applies to you before you invest.
What it is
Indian rules allow non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to invest in most Indian financial products. What you can buy, and how freely you can take the money back out of India, depends on three things: the bank account you invest from, your country of residence, and each provider’s own rules.
Mutual funds are usually the simplest starting point and do not need a Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) account. PMS, which buys listed shares in your name, usually needs a PIS-enabled account for repatriable investing. SIFs, PMS and AIFs have their own minimum investments and documents.
If you live in the United States or Canada, many Indian fund houses do not accept investments because of FATCA and related reporting rules, though some do. Your country of residence may also tax, or require you to report, your Indian investments.
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Open the right account
NRE for money earned abroad; NRO for income earned in India, such as rent or dividends.
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Complete KYC
PAN, passport, overseas address proof and a photograph, plus FATCA/CRS tax-residency declarations. Much of it can be done online.
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Choose and invest
Lumpsum or SIP from your NRE or NRO account. For PMS on a repatriable basis, a PIS-enabled bank account is usually needed.
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Redeem and repatriate
Tax is deducted at source when you redeem. Proceeds return to the account you invested from.
NRE or NRO: which account?
Many NRIs keep both accounts: NRE for money sent from abroad, and NRO for income that arises in India.
Swipe to compare →
NRE accountNRO account
Money that goes inIncome earned abroad, sent to IndiaIncome earned in India, such as rent, dividends or pension
Taking money back outPrincipal and gains freely repatriableUp to USD 1 million a financial year, after tax and Form 15CA/15CB
Interest on the bank balanceTax-free in IndiaTaxable in India
Investments made from itOn a repatriable basisUsually on a non-repatriable basis
NRO account
- Money that goes in
- Income earned in India, such as rent, dividends or pension
- Taking money back out
- Up to USD 1 million a financial year, after tax and Form 15CA/15CB
- Interest on the bank balance
- Taxable in India
- Investments made from it
- Usually on a non-repatriable basis
What you can invest in
Most products we distribute are open to non-residents. These are the points that usually differ.
- Mutual fundsLumpsum or SIP from NRE or NRO; no PIS account needed. Some fund houses restrict residents of the US and Canada.
- SIFMinimum ₹10 lakh per PAN, per fund house. Account rules are similar to mutual funds.
- PMSMinimum ₹50 lakh. A PIS-enabled account is usually needed for repatriable investing.
- AIFMinimum ₹1 crore for most investors. Eligibility and onboarding depend on each fund’s terms.
- Bonds & corporate FDsEligibility depends on the issuer and on whether you invest from NRE or NRO.
- GIFT City (IFSC) fundsFunds set up in GIFT City, usually in US dollars. Tax and eligibility differ from domestic funds.
Before you invest from abroad
May be worth exploring if you…
- Live abroad and want part of your savings in India
- Earn in another currency and accept rupee movements
- Can keep your KYC and residency details up to date
- Are prepared to file an Indian tax return when needed
Check first if you…
- Live in the US or Canada and have not checked which fund houses accept you
- May need the money in another currency at short notice
- Have not reviewed tax rules in your country of residence
- Plan to return to India soon, since your status and accounts will change
This is general information, not an assessment of your suitability, which depends on your circumstances and the specific scheme or product.
Tax in India (as of November 2026)
- Equity-oriented funds held over 12 months: gains above ₹1.25 lakh a year taxed at 12.5%
- Equity-oriented funds held 12 months or less: gains taxed at 20%
- Debt-oriented funds bought on or after 1 April 2023: gains taxed at your slab rate
- Tax is deducted at source on redemption, plus surcharge and cess; excess TDS can be claimed back by filing an Indian return
- A Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement may reduce tax, with a Tax Residency Certificate and Form 10F
Regulation and risk labels do not guarantee returns or prevent losses.
Risks & points to watch
- Currency: if the rupee falls against your home currency, returns in that currency are lower
- Market: investments can fall in value; returns are not guaranteed
- Provider rules: some fund houses and managers do not accept residents of certain countries, mainly the US and Canada
- Status changes: when you move countries or return to India, update your KYC, bank accounts and tax status
- Home-country tax: your country of residence may tax or require reporting of Indian investments; take local tax advice
Have a concern?Our service: escalation matrix · A fund, scheme or issue: its provider first · Still unresolved: SEBI SCORES or SMART ODR
How we help
- 1Step 1
Tell us your country
Your country of residence and tax status decide what is open to you.
- 2Step 2
Check eligibility
We check which providers accept investors from your country, and what documents they need.
- 3Step 3
Paperwork, largely remote
We help with KYC, FATCA declarations and onboarding, mostly online.
- 4Step 4
Review together
We review your holdings with you, across time zones.
You decide whether to invest, in what, and on what terms. How we are paid for each product is disclosed before you invest. See how we’re paid →
Common questions
Short answers to what families ask us most. For anything specific to your situation, talk to us.
Still have a question?Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sat, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM IST
Can OCIs and PIOs invest?
Yes. OCIs and PIOs can generally invest in the same way as NRIs, subject to FEMA and each provider’s rules.
Do I need to visit India?
Usually not for mutual funds; KYC and onboarding can largely be completed online. Some PMS and AIF providers may ask for in-person or couriered verification.
Can I continue my SIP after moving abroad?
You need to update your residential status, bank account (NRE or NRO) and KYC with each fund house. Some fund houses may not continue SIPs for residents of certain countries.
What happens when I return to India?
Your residential status changes, often first to RNOR (resident but not ordinarily resident). NRE and NRO accounts need to be redesignated and your KYC updated.
Is NRE interest tax-free?
Interest on NRE deposits is tax-free in India. Gains on mutual funds, PMS or AIFs bought from an NRE account are still taxable in India.
Do you offer GIFT City products?
Yes. We distribute GIFT City (IFSC) products from providers we are empanelled with. They are usually in US dollars and have different tax and eligibility rules, which we explain before you invest.
Investing from abroad? Start with your country.
Tell us where you live and what you hold today. We’ll explain what is open to you, step by step.
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks; read all scheme related documents carefully. Tax information is general, based on rules as of November 2026, and is not tax advice; please consult a tax adviser in India and in your country of residence.