SEBI has eased digital KYC rules for NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals in FATF-compliant countries, allowing them to complete investment onboarding from abroad without travelling to India. The changes take effect on December 3, 2026.
If you live overseas and want to invest in Indian securities markets, completing the KYC process could become easier.
SEBI has relaxed its Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, allowing eligible NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals to complete digital KYC while residing outside India.
Previously, investors had to be physically present in India during digital KYC. This made it difficult for overseas investors to complete the onboarding process remotely.
Under the revised framework, individuals residing in countries compliant with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) can now submit their KYC information and supporting documents digitally from abroad.
What has changed?
The revised rules introduce several changes to simplify the onboarding process:
- Digital KYC from overseas: Eligible NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals can complete digital KYC without being physically present in India.
- Reuse of existing KYC records: Intermediaries can retrieve an investor’s KYC information from KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) and the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCRR), reducing repeated documentation.
- Portable KYC records: Investors’ KYC records can be shared across intermediaries, even if every individual detail has not been validated.
- Reliance on existing verification: An intermediary can rely on KYC completed by another SEBI-registered intermediary or an entity regulated by another financial sector regulator, subject to the prescribed conditions.
- Video verification: An authorised official of the intermediary must be present during Video In-Person Verification (VIPV), and the process will be subject to concurrent audit.
What documents will you need?
You will need to provide your PAN details and passport copy. OCI cardholders will also have to submit their OCI card, where applicable.
Overseas addresses can be used as the current address. Documents submitted in languages other than English must be translated into English and attested by a certifying authority.
When will the new rules apply?
SEBI issued the circular on November 4, 2026, and the revised provisions will come into effect from December 3, 2026.
The relaxation will also apply to re-KYC for eligible overseas investors. However, if you reside in a FATF non-compliant country you will continue to follow the existing KYC process.
What does this mean for you?
If you are an NRI or OCI cardholder looking to invest in Indian securities markets, you may no longer need to travel to India just to complete digital KYC.
The ability to reuse existing KYC records could also reduce paperwork and make it easier to open accounts with different intermediaries.
However, completing KYC does not automatically make every investment product available to overseas investors. Applicable FEMA provisions and product-specific eligibility requirements will continue to apply.
