Who is a Non-Resident Indian (NRI)?

An Indian citizen or a foreign citizen of Indian origin who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vocation or under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad is a NON-RESIDENT INDIAN (NRI).

(Those who stay abroad on business visit, medical treatment, study or such other purposes which do not indicate an intention to stay there for an indefinite period will not be considered as NRIs).

What are the different types of rupee accounts that are permitted and can be maintained by NRIs?

The three types of rupee accounts permitted, that can be maintained by NRIs are as follows :
NRE : Non-Resident (External) Rupee Account
NRO : Non-Resident (Ordinary) Rupee Account
FCNR – B : Foreign Currency (Non –Resident) Accounts (Banks)

What are NRE and NRO accounts?

Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) account is a rupee account from which funds are freely repatriable. It can be opened with either funds remitted from abroad or local funds maintained in NRE/ FCNR accounts, which can be remitted abroad. The deposits can be used for all legitimate purposes. The balance in the account is freely repatriable.

Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) account is a rupee account and can be opened with funds either remitted from abroad or generated in India. The amounts in such an account are generally non-repatriable. However, funds in NRO accounts can be remitted abroad subject to/as per various directives in force at the time of repatriation. More details can be found on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) website www.rbi.org.in

What is the distinction between NRE and NRO Accounts?

Balances held in NRE accounts can be repatriated abroad freely, whereas funds in NRO accounts cannot be remitted abroad but have to be used only for local payments in rupees. Funds due to the non-resident accountholder which do not qualify, under the Exchange Control regulations, for remittance outside India are required to be credited to NRO accounts.

Type of Account Currency Repatriable / Non Repatriable NRE - Non Resident External INR Freely Repatriable NRO - Non Resident Ordinary INR Non Repatriable, Repatriable subject to RBI conditions FCNR - Foreign Currency Non Resident USD, GBP, Yen, Euro Repatriable

Does an NRI, PIO, FII requires any approval from the RBI to invest in mutual fund schemes?

No special approval is required. NRIs/FIIs have been granted a general permission by RBI [Schedule 5 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident Outside India) Regulations, 2000] for investing in/redeeming units of the schemes subject to conditions set out in the aforesaid regulations.

Can NRIs invest in Mutual Funds in India ?

Investments by NRIs in Mutual Funds can be made on a Repatriable or on a non-Repatriable basis, as preferred by the investor.

Repatriable Basis

To invest on a Repatriable basis, you must have an NRE or FCNR Bank Account in India.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a general permission to Mutual Funds to offer mutual fund schemes on repatriation basis, subject to the following conditions: 1.The mutual fund should comply with the terms and conditions stipulated by SEBI.

2.The amount representing investment should be received by inward remittance through normal banking channels, or by debit to an NRE / FCNR account of the non-resident investor. 3.The net amount representing the dividend / interest and maturity proceeds of units may be remitted through normal banking channels or credited to NRE / FCNR account of the investor, as desired by him subject to payment of applicable tax.

Non-Repatriable Basis

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a general permission to Mutual Funds to offer mutual fund schemes on non-repatriation basis, subject to the following conditions: 1.Funds for investment should be provided by debit to NRO account of the NRI investor. Alternatively, funds may be invested by inward remittance or by debit to NRE / FCNR Account.

2.The current income in the form of dividends is allowed to be repatriated.

No permission of Reserve Bank either by the Mutual Fund or the NRI investor is necessary.

Which schemes of Mutual Fund can NRIs invest in ?

NRIs can invest in all schemes of Mutual Fund. (However, Units in the funds may not be offered or sold within the United States or to United States Persons, except in a transaction not subject to, or pursuant to an exemption from, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws and which would not require the funds to register under the Investment Company Act. The term "United States Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Regulations under the Securities Act.)

Does an NRI need any approvals from the Reserve Bank of India to invest in mutual fund schemes?

No. As an NRI one does not need any specific approval from the RBI for investing or redeeming from Mutual Funds. Only OCBs and FIIs require prior approvals before investing in Mutual Funds. Can an NRI invest in foreign currency?

An NRI cannot make the investment in foreign currency. He needs to give us a Rupee cheque from his NRE, NRO, NRSR bank account in India. He may also send a Rupee cheque from abroad payable in a bank in India. However, for an NRI to invest, it is mandatory that he maintains a bank account in India.

What is the mode of payment for Repatriation and Non-Repatriation Basis?

NRI Investor :

Repatriable Basis. Payments for the purchase of the units may be made by Indian Rupee drafts purchased abroad, or by cheques drawn on the NRE/FCNR Account of the investor, payable at the city where the application form is accepted by any Investor Service Centres.

Non-Repatriable Basis. Payments for the purchase of the units may be made by Indian Rupee drafts purchased abroad, or by cheques / demand drafts drawn on the NRE / FCNR / NRO / NRSR / NRNR account of the investor, payable at the city where the application form is accepted by any Investor Service Centres.

FII Investors. FIIs may pay for their subscription amounts by Indian Rupee drafts purchased abroad, or from funds held in a Foreign Currency account or Non-resident Rupee account maintained in a designated branch of an authorised dealer. The Indian Rupee drafts/cheques should be made payable at a city where the application is accepted by any Investor Service Centres.

Will the fund accept an NRI application with an overseas bank account detail?

No.

How will the redemption proceeds be paid?

Redemption proceeds will be paid by cheque. The cheque will be payable to the first unitholder and will include the bank account number. Alternatively the redemption proceeds will be credited directly to the investor’s bank account. This facility is available with select banks as mentioned in our application forms.

Redemption proceeds/repurchase price and/or dividend or income earned (if any) will be payable in Indian Rupees only. The fund will not be liable for any loss due to exchange fluctuations, while converting the Rupee amount into US Dollar or any other currency.

How can the redemption proceeds be repatriated?

The investments shall carry the right of repatriation of capital invested and capital appreciation so long as the investor continues to be a resident outside India. In the case of an FII, the designated branch of the authorised dealer may allow remittance of net sale/maturity proceeds (after payment of taxes) or credit the amount to the Foreign Currency account or Non-Resident Rupee account of the FII, maintained in accordance with the approval granted to it by the RBI [Clause 5(i) of the Regulations]. In the case of NRIs:-, where the investment is made out of inward remittance or from funds held in the NRE/FCNR account of the investor, the maturity proceeds/repurchase price of units (after payment of taxes) may be credited to the NRE/FCNR/NRO/NRSR account of the non-resident investor maintained with an authorised dealer in India [Clause 5(ii) of the Regulations].

What about redemption proceeds where investments were made on a non-repatriable basis?

Where the purchase of units is made on a non-repatriable basis, the maturity proceeds/repurchase price of units (after payment of taxes) will not qualify for repatriation and may be credited to the NRO/NRSR account of the non-resident investor [Clause 5(ii) of the Regulations]. Where the investment is made out of funds held in a NRSR account, the maturity proceeds/ repurchase price of units (after payment of taxes) may be credited to the NRSR account maintained by the investor with an authorised dealer in India [Clause 5(ii) of the Regulations]. Similarly, investments in units purchased in Rupees, where the investor was a resident of India and subsequently becomes a non-resident, will not qualify for repatriation of repurchase proceeds of units. The entire income distribution on the investment will, however, qualify for full repatriation. Investors are advised to contact their banks/tax consultants if they desire remittance of the income distribution on units abroad.

Will you transfer money to an investor's overseas account?

No. Investors need to contact their authorised dealers for this service.

What is the tax liability on redemptions?

Under Section 2(42A) of the Income Tax Act, units of the fund held as a capital asset for a period of more than 12 months immediately preceding the date of transfer, will be treated as a long-term capital asset for the computation of capital gains, thus qualifying for the long-term capital gains tax rate. In all other cases, it would be treated as a short-term capital asset and would be taxed at the short-term capital gains tax rate.

What is the tax liability for income received from your mutual funds?

As per Section 10(35) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, income received from mutual fund units specified under Section 10(23D) is exempt from income tax in India and the mutual funds are subject to deduction of distribution tax in debt oriented schemes. Hence all dividends are tax-free in the hands of non-resident investors and no TDS is applicable on the same.

What is the proof of the Tax Deduction at Source?

A TDS certificate is issued in the name of the investor mentioning the details of the transaction and the tax deducted. The TDS certificate is commonly known as Form16 A.

When will the TDS certificate be issued?

A TDS certificate (Form 16A) will be despatched to the investor at his or her registered address along with the redemption warrant.

Is the indexation benefit available to NRIs?

Yes, if units are held for more than 12 months i.e. on long-term capital gains.

Are fund units liable to the wealth tax?

No, Units issued to FIIs/NRIs will not be treated as assets as defined under section 2(ea) of the Wealth-Tax Act, 1957 and hence will not be liable to wealth tax.

Can an NRI fax a request followed by the original documents?

No, Units cannot be redeemed or allotted on the basis of fax applications. A request that lacks a valid signature cannot be processed due to legal restrictions.

Can a Power of Attorney (POA) invest on behalf of the NRI investor?

Yes, Unlike banks where a POA holder cannot open an account on behalf of the NRI/FIIs, in a mutual fund the POA has the authority to invest on behalf of the investor and sign documents for initial and additional purchases as well as redemptions.

While applying for purchase of units the POA holder needs to submit the original POA or a copy duly notarised should be submitted. The Power of attorney should contain the signature of both the first holder and the POA holder. Only when the POA is registered does the POA holder have the right to transact on behalf of the NRI/FII investor. His signature will be verified for processing any transaction/request.

Is nomination by NRIs allowed in Funds?

Yes, It is allowed only for Individuals/HUFs.

Can a resident Indian have an NRI as nominee?

Yes, The same rules apply for nominees to resident Indian accounts. An NRI can be a nominee to an account which is in the name of a resident Indian.