NRIs and OCIs living in the UAE may invest in Indian mutual funds; each fund house sets its own onboarding terms. You complete KYC once, link an NRE or NRO account, and invest through us by bank transfer or mandate. Gains are taxed in India and the fund house deducts TDS before paying you; the DTAA may give relief.
What it is
A mutual fund pools money from many investors into a scheme run by a fund house under SEBI's rules: equity, debt, hybrid, index and more. As an NRI you buy the same schemes a resident does, through your NRE or NRO bank account, on a repatriable or non-repatriable basis. You can start a monthly SIP or invest a lump sum, and redeem on any working day.
Who it's for
Almost every NRI, as a first investment in India and often as the main one: salary saved monthly, a lump sum from a bonus, money for a goal three years away or more. The choice of scheme is where it gets specific, and that is a conversation, not a page.
What it needs from abroad
KYC, done once and valid at every fund house: video KYC or attested copies of your passport, visa or residence permit and overseas address proof, plus PAN and a FATCA/CRS declaration. An NRE or NRO account and, for SIPs, a mandate on it. Each fund house sets its own policy on which countries' residents it accepts; the plate shows what applies to your country.
Risks and catches
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. In plain words: the value goes up and down with the market, and a scheme's past results don't predict the next ones. Exit loads apply if you redeem early in some schemes. ELSS schemes lock money for three years. And a resident savings account with SIPs on it must be converted to NRO when you become an NRI: the resident account guide explains.
What it costs
Bought through a mutual fund distributor, including us, a scheme's regular plan carries a trail commission paid by the fund house out of the scheme's expense ratio. There is no extra charge to you beyond what the scheme itself charges, and the commission for any scheme is shared with you anytime you ask (see the commission disclosure).
Tax, for an NRI
India taxes your gains, and unlike a resident, the fund house deducts tax (TDS) when you redeem, so what lands in your account is net. Equity schemes: short-term gains at 20%, long-term gains above ₹1.25 lakh a year at 12.5%. Specified debt schemes bought on or after 1 April 2023 are taxed at your slab rate. These rates are set by the Income-tax Act, 2025, in force since 1 April 2026. Where India has a tax treaty with your country, it may reduce the Indian tax or give you credit for it.
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
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