Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2022 (2024)

India has seen massive industrial development over the past two decades. As a result, the country is attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). This has prompted the non-resident Indians (NRIs) to consider India as a viable destination to invest in and earn profits.

The Indian Government is making the country more conducive for business each day. With various options to invest in, NRIs are finding it difficult to sort out the best options for them. Considering the returns, the following investment options are the best for NRIs in 2022:

Fixed Deposit

Fixed Deposits (FDs) are not only popular among the resident Indians, but also among the non-resident Indians (NRIs). Bank FDs are considered the safest investment option as there are hardly any instances of banks defaulting on them. NRIs can start FD through their FCNR, NRO, or NRE accounts. The rate of interest depends on the bank, amount, and the tenure of the deposit.

Fixed deposits in the NRE account:

You may consider opening an NRE account in Indian Rupees. The interest you earn is tax-free, but you may be taxed in your country of residence. The interest rate ranges from 5%-7% depending on the tenure of the deposit.

Fixed deposits in the NRO account:

You may use the NRO account to control your Indian income. For instance, you may receive rental income or dividends from shares and mutual funds that can be paid into the NRO account. You can remit a maximum amount of $1 million from your NRO account after producing the relevant documents.

Fixed deposits in FCNR account:

You can open the FCNR (Foreign-Currency Non-Resident Account) in any foreign currency. It may have a tenure of one to five years. The interest you earn is tax-exempt. Moreover, foreign exchange fluctuations have no impact on the deposits in the FCNR account.

National Pension System

An NRI between the age of 18 years to 60 years can open an NPS account with a POP (Point of Presence) in India. You may also open an eNPS account if you have a PAN card or an Aadhaar Card. You may consider using your NRO or NRE bank account to invest in the National Pension System.

You may opt for the active choice where you decide on the asset allocation in Equity (E), Corporate Bonds (C) and Government Securities (G). However, you can allocate a maximum of only 75% towards equities. You may also opt for the auto choice where asset allocation is done according to life stages (age) if you cannot decide on the right investment proportions.

If you withdraw from NPS before 60 years you can withdraw only 20% of the accumulated corpus. You must compulsorily annuitise the remaining 80% of the corpus. If you are 60 years of age or older at the time of withdrawal, you can withdraw 60% of the corpus and the remaining 40% must compulsorily be used to buy an annuity plan

You may open an NPS account with the bank where you have your NRO or NRE account for convenience. Moreover, the pension from the National Pension System will be paid in Indian Rupees.

Direct Equity

You can consider investing in equity if you are an aggressive investor, and are ready to take some risk in the stock market. NRIs can invest in the Indian stock market directly under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PINS) of RBI. NRIs are mandated to have an NRE/NRO bank account, a Demat account, and a trading account to invest in the Indian stock market.

Real Estate

Real estate in India is booming. The real estate prices in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune have skyrocketed over the past decade. Many NRIs are purchasing houses in India to let out on rent. There are a plethora of options to choose from such as developed plots, villas and apartments among others.

You need to analyse your requirements and risk profile before deciding to invest in Indian real estate. Investing in real estate in India is a good option as the country is expected to see massive development over the next decade. However, NRIs cannot invest in agricultural land and plantations in India.

Mutual Funds

You may invest in mutual funds if it matches your investment objectives and risk profile. Mutual funds are capable of offering much higher tax-efficient returns than bank FDs. There are various mutual fund houses offering a plethora of mutual fund schemes. However, some AMCs have restrictions on NRI investments from the USA and Canada.

NRIs can invest in mutual funds only through their NRO or NRE accounts. You need to invest in Indian Rupees (INR) and not in foreign currency. The rate of return you get from mutual funds depends on the type of fund (debt, equity, and hybrid) and your investment horizon. You may invest in ELSS a tax-saving mutual fund that qualifies for the Section 80C tax benefit if you have income in India.

Invest in mutual funds through the Systematic Investment Plan or SIP. It is a method of investing a fixed amount of money regularly in a mutual fund scheme. Mutual funds are a great investment as they can offer inflation-beating return over the long run.

Public Provident Fund

You can continue with your PPF account which you opened when you were a resident Indian. However, you cannot extend the PPF account after the maturity period of 15 years. An NRI cannot open a PPF account in India.

Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

PMS is an advanced investment vehicle that provides medium to long term growth by picking and investing in undervalued stocks from a larger list of well researched stocks. The major benefit of this scheme is that investors can rely on the expert knowledge of fund managers.

Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)

These plans come with the benefit of an insurance cover along with the returns of long term wealth creation. It is considered a very good option for investors with a moderate to high risk taking ability. The investments that you make in a ULIP are split into two parts:

  • Premium for life insurance coverage
  • Capital investment in debt and equity funds

Related Articles:

Fixed Deposits – Benefits, Features, How to open FD?

Income Tax for NRI

NRE and NRO Accounts

Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2022 (1)

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Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2022 (2024)

FAQs

Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2022? ›

The best investment options in India for NRI's are Bank Fixed Deposits. Apart from this, other options of NRI deposit are Mutual Funds, Direct Equity, Real Estate, Investment in Bonds and Government Securities, Certificate of Deposits, National Pension Scheme (NPS), etc.

What is the best investment for NRI in India? ›

Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2023
  • Fixed Deposits or FDs.
  • National Pension Scheme or NPS.
  • Equity.
  • Mutual Funds.
  • Real Estate.
  • Public Provident Fund or PPF.
  • Bonds and Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)
  • Pre-IPO investment.

Which investment scheme is best for NRI? ›

The best investment options in India for NRI's are Bank Fixed Deposits. Apart from this, other options of NRI deposit are Mutual Funds, Direct Equity, Real Estate, Investment in Bonds and Government Securities, Certificate of Deposits, National Pension Scheme (NPS), etc.

On what should I invest in 2022 in India? ›

Out of these, there are three debt mutual fund classes that are ideal for the medium term: corporate bond fund, banking & PSU fund and short duration fund. Some of the best mutual funds to invest in are debt funds as they can give you consistent returns with lower risks.

Which mutual fund is best for NRI in India? ›

Special Consideration for Investment by US and Canadian NRIs
  • L&T Mutual Fund.
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund.
  • UTI Mutual Fund.
  • SBI Mutual Fund.
  • ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.
  • DHFL Pramerica Mutual Fund.
  • Sundaram Mutual Fund.
  • PPFAS Mutual Fund.

Why is 2023 the best time for NRI to invest in India? ›

Rising property prices.

In India, property prices have been on the rise since 2020. There has been a slight dip in the price but it is projected to rise in 2023. From this angle, it makes sense to own a home in India. Some experts feel that the property price will rise by 6% in the coming months.

How to invest 50 lakhs in India? ›

How to invest 50 lakhs for monthly income in India – Top 5 Investment Options in 2023, India
  1. Fixed Deposits (FD) ...
  2. Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) ...
  3. Senior-Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) ...
  4. Corporate Deposits. ...
  5. Government Bond.
Dec 19, 2022

How can NRI save tax in India? ›

NRIs can claim exemptions under Section 54, Section 54EC, and Section 54F on long-term capital gains. Therefore, an NRI can take benefit of the exemptions from capital gains when filing a return and claim a refund of TDS deducted from Capital Gains.

What NRI Cannot invest in? ›

Additionally, NRIs are barred from investing in instruments such as currency derivatives and commodities. Apart from these, NRIs cannot participate in intraday trading in the Indian stock markets, unlike resident Indians. They are only allowed to take the delivery of shares.

Which bank gives highest interest for NRI? ›

Best NRE Savings Account for NRIs in 2023
Name of the BankNRE Deposit Interest rates below Rs. 2 croresMinimum Balance
ICICI Bank4.90%Rs. 10,000
Kotak Mahindra Bank4.60%Rs. 10,000
RBL Bank5.40%Rs. 50,000
SBM Bank6.50%0 Balance
10 more rows

How to invest 15 lakhs? ›

Investment Options to Inves 15 Lakhs for Monthly Income
  1. Lump Sum Mutual Funds. Mutual funds allow you to invest in the money market and stocks, shares, and equities of companies. ...
  2. ULIPs. ...
  3. Pension Plans. ...
  4. Traditional Guaranteed Monthly Income Schemes. ...
  5. Child Plans. ...
  6. Fixed Deposits.

What are the 4 types of investments? ›

Different Types of Investments
  • Mutual fund Investment. ...
  • Stocks. ...
  • Bonds. ...
  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) ...
  • Fixed deposits. ...
  • Retirement planning. ...
  • Cash and cash equivalents. ...
  • Real estate Investment.

How to invest in India from USA? ›

Top 5 investment options in India for NRIs from USA
  1. NRI Fixed deposits. Banks offer 3 types fixed deposits non-resident Indian: ...
  2. Mutual funds. ...
  3. Indian stocks. ...
  4. Real estate. ...
  5. Pre-IPO.
Aug 12, 2022

Do NRI have to pay tax on mutual funds in India? ›

Taxation rules for NRIs and residents of India are alike. For equity mutual funds, the investments made for 1 year or less will be taxed at 15% as per the short-term capital gains taxation rules. For long-term investments, the mutual funds are taxed at a rate of 10% as per the long-term capital gains taxation rules.

Can US NRI invest in SIP? ›

Just like Indian residents, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) can invest in sip plans in India. Systematic Investment Plan or SIP helps you to make mutual fund investment in an affordable way.

How much does an NRI save in USA? ›

NRI's earn well, spend well and in most cases also “save” a decent amount of money every month. Even if one some is saving $2,000 in USA it's close to 1.5 lacs a month after all.

Which sector will boom in 2023 in India? ›

2023-2024 will likely push renewables even further. This makes the energy sector one of the best sectors to invest in India right now.

What is the new NRI rule in India? ›

A person who stays in India for182 days or 6 months in a year will be considered an Indian resident for that year. If a person is staying in India for a period of 60 days or more during the year and 365 days or more during 4 years immediately preceding the previous year then they will be considered an Indian resident.

Where to invest 70 lakhs in India? ›

Investment plan for 5 years to make 70 Lakhs rupees!
  • Canara Robeco Equity Hybrid Fund Regular-Growth: Rs 3,000.
  • DSP Banking & PSU Debt Fund - Direct Plan - Growth: Rs 4,000.
  • SBI Blue Chip Fund – Growth: Rs 4,000.
  • Axis Multicap Fund – Growth: Rs 3,000.
  • SBI Magnum Constant Maturity Fund Regular Growth: Rs 3,000.
Dec 9, 2020

How to invest 1 crore for monthly income? ›

Investment Options
  1. Retirement Plans. Retirement plans work as an insurance cum investment plan offering the insured a regular monthly income source when there is no fixed income for them in the making. ...
  2. ULIPs. ...
  3. Fixed Deposits. ...
  4. Public Provident Fund. ...
  5. Mutual Funds Through Systematic Investment Plans.

How to invest $100,000 in India? ›

Top Investment Options for Investing Rs 1 Lakh for 6 Months
  1. Recurring Deposits. Recurring deposits come with the flexibility to invest an amount every month. ...
  2. Money Market Account. ...
  3. Debt Instruments. ...
  4. Bank Fixed Deposits. ...
  5. Post- Office Time Deposits. ...
  6. Large Cap Mutual Funds. ...
  7. Corporate Deposits.

How many days NRI can stay in India without tax? ›

It is extended to 120 days for an individual, being Indian citizen or person of Indian origin (PIO), who is based outside India and comes on a visit to India, if total income of such person, other than income from foreign sources exceeds ₹15 lakh (120 days rule).

Do I need to file tax return in India if I am NRI? ›

NRIs have to pay income tax on income earned in India. NRIs have to pay tax on income that accrues or arises in India. NRIs also need to pay tax on income which is deemed to accrue or arise in India. Money received or deemed to be received in India is taxable.

Do NRI need to declare foreign income in India? ›

The foreign income i.e. income accruing or arising outside India in any financial year is liable to income-tax in that year even if it is not received or brought into India. There is no escape from liability to income-tax even if the remittance of income is restricted by the foreign country.

How much NRI can invest in India? ›

Investment Limits: There are no limits on the maximum investment that an NRI can make in mutual funds.

Can NRI get PAN card in India? ›

A non-resident Indian ('NRI') can apply for PAN by submitting the Form No. 49A along with the requisite documents and prescribed fees at the PAN application center of UTIITSL or Protean (formerly NSDL eGov).

Which is better FCNR or NRE? ›

Whereas an NRE account is suitable for users who want to invest their foreign earnings in India and use it to handle expenses in India, an FCNR account is better for NRIs who want to manage their spending and investment-related issues outside of India.

Which account is better NRE or NRO? ›

You should opt for NRE Accounts if you want to hold or maintain your overseas earnings in Indian currency. NRE Accounts are also suitable if you wish to keep your savings liquid. You should opt for NRO Accounts if you want to save your earnings from India in Indian currency itself.

How to open NRI account from USA? ›

Open NRI Account
  1. Fill up the Online Application Form Online and select “United States” in “country of residence”
  2. Fill up all the required fields and accept the online terms and conditions.
  3. Upload the scanned images of photograph and signature in the pre-defined format and the required documents in the designated slots.

What is the interest rate in SBI for NRI? ›

RATES OF INTEREST ON NON-RESIDENT EXTERNAL (NRE) ACCOUNT DEPOSITS W.E.F 15.02.2023*
NRE TERM DEPOSITS With effect from 15th February, 2023
TenorsBelow Rs.2 CroreRs.2 Crore & above
2 years to less than 3 years7.00%6.50%
3 years to less than 5 years6.50%6.00%
5 years to 10 years6.50%6.00%
5 more rows

How should I invest 20 lakhs in India? ›

The answer is simple. Mutual funds. For retail investors seeking to accumulate wealth, mutual funds are one of the most accessible options available. Given your investment horizon, equity mutual funds could be a good option as they can provide inflation-beating returns over the long term.

How to invest 40 lakhs in India? ›

Investment Options to Invest 40 Lakh
  1. Immediate and Deferred Annuity Plans. These products can be classified under a Pension plan which generally comes with a guaranteed income stream after retirement. ...
  2. Lump Sum Mutual Fund. ...
  3. Unit-Linked Insurance Plans. ...
  4. Guaranteed Monthly Income Schemes. ...
  5. Fixed Deposits.

How much investment is 1 crore in 15 years? ›

Under this rule, the first 15 stands for the monthly investment that you need to make. That is, your monthly SIP amount will be Rs. 15,000. – The second one stands for your investment tenure of 15 years i.e., to achieve the mentioned goal of 1 crore, you need to invest 15000 every month for 15 years.

How can I double my money in 5 years in India? ›

As a rate of return, long-term mutual funds can offer rates between 12% and 15% per year. With these mutual funds, it may take between 5 and 6 years to double your money. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): It comes under the Post Office Small Saving Scheme.

How can I double my money in 10 years in India? ›

Tax-free Bonds. Tax-free bonds also allow a good interest rate over the tenure of the bond. It is considered a good avenue of Investment to double your money in 8 – 10 years.

How to multiply money in India? ›

Here are some options to double your money:
  1. Tax-free Bonds. Initially tax- free bonds were issued only in specific periods. ...
  2. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) ...
  3. Corporate Deposits/Non-Convertible Debentures (NCD) ...
  4. National Savings Certificates. ...
  5. Bank Fixed Deposits. ...
  6. Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  7. Mutual Funds (MFs) ...
  8. Gold ETFs.

What are the 4 C's of investing? ›

Before loaning anyone your hard-earned money, remember the 'Four Cs' of credit: character, collateral, covenants and, the most important, capacity.

What is the best option to invest money? ›

Best Investment Options in India
  1. Direct Equity – Stocks. Direct equity stocks are one of the best investment options for aggressive investors. ...
  2. Equity Mutual Funds. ...
  3. Equity Debt Funds. ...
  4. National Pension Scheme (NPS) ...
  5. Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  6. Bank Fixed Deposit. ...
  7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) ...
  8. Unit Linked Insurance Plans.

What are four types of investments you should avoid? ›

13 Toxic Investments You Should Avoid
  • Subprime Mortgages. ...
  • Annuities. ...
  • Penny Stocks. ...
  • High-Yield Bonds. ...
  • Private Placements. ...
  • Traditional Savings Accounts at Major Banks. ...
  • The Investment Your Neighbor Just Doubled His Money On. ...
  • The Lottery.
6 days ago

Can a US citizen open a demat account in India? ›

Non-resident Indians

Yes, NRIs can also trade in Indian capital markets by opening a Demat Account with a DP or depository participant of their choice.

Is it better to invest in India or USA? ›

Volatility. When compared to Indian markets, the US markets have been less volatile in the long run. Indian equities have shown great volatility, with bigger swings in returns over the years. This is another reason experts recommend diversification when it comes to investing, since risks are spread out and diminished.

Can I retire with 5 crores in India? ›

You may use the retirement calculator online to find out how much money would be enough by the time you retire. Corpus needed at the time of retirement: ₹17,92,30,104. The myth that ₹5 crores would suffice for your retirement is nothing short of a myth.

Which income is taxable for NRI in India? ›

Any income earned by an NRI which is in the form of interest on the fixed deposits and saving bank accounts shall be taxable in India. However, if an NRI receives Interest on his NRE and FCNR account, that shall be tax-free. On the other hand, if they receives interest in their NRO account, that shall be fully taxable.

Can a US citizen invest in mutual funds in India? ›

Yes, Non Resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) can invest in Indian Mutual Funds on a full repatriation as well as non-repatriation basis.

Why NRIs are not allowed to invest in mutual funds? ›

Many mutual fund houses in India don't allow NRIs from the USA and Canada to invest in their schemes because of the cumbersome compliance requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

How can US NRI invest in India? ›

Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2022
  • Fixed Deposit.
  • National Pension System.
  • Direct Equity.
  • Real Estate.
  • Mutual Funds.
  • Public Provident Fund.
  • Portfolio Management Services (PMS)
  • Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)
Jan 22, 2023

How can I invest in India as NRI? ›

Best Investment Options for NRIs in India 2023
  1. Fixed Deposits or FDs.
  2. National Pension Scheme or NPS.
  3. Equity.
  4. Mutual Funds.
  5. Real Estate.
  6. Public Provident Fund or PPF.
  7. Bonds and Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)
  8. Pre-IPO investment.
Feb 2, 2023

How to do KYC for NRI? ›

  1. First page and last page of the valid passport. If the address mentioned in the form is different from the address in passport. Please provide any of the following with present address. Indian Address Proof. ...
  2. Valid VISA/ Employment VISA / Student VISA /Work Permit/ Residence Permit. Additional Document.
  3. PAN Card/Form 60.

How much money NRI can keep in India? ›

However, a non-resident is allowed to remit upto 10 lakh USD every year from his NRO account every year. So you can remit back upto this limit every year in case the aggregate value of your investments exceeds 10 lakh USD.

How can NRI earn money in India? ›

Salary received in India or salary for service provided in India, income from a house property situated in India, capital gains on transfer of asset situated in India, income from fixed deposits or interest on a savings bank account are all examples of income earned or accrued in India.

What are NRI not allowed to invest in? ›

Additionally, NRIs are barred from investing in instruments such as currency derivatives and commodities. Apart from these, NRIs cannot participate in intraday trading in the Indian stock markets, unlike resident Indians. They are only allowed to take the delivery of shares.

How much NRI is tax free in India? ›

As per the most recent 2023 Budget, which came into effect from February 1, NRIs and resident Indians alike are not required to file their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) if their total income for the year is below the basic exemption limit of Rs300,000 (Dh13,452).

How much foreign income is tax free? ›

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE, using IRS Form 2555) allows you to exclude a certain amount of your FOREIGN EARNED income from US tax. For tax year 2022 (filing in 2023) the exclusion amount is $112,000.

How much money can NRI transfer to India from USA? ›

What is the IRS limit on sending money to India? The IRS has no limit on how much money your friends or family can send to India. However, above $11.7 million USD, they'll be liable for taxes.

Is money transferred from USA to India taxable? ›

Sending money from the US

When you send money from US to India, the relationship between the sender and receiver is not important. The maximum tax-free amount you can send in a year is $14,000. Up to $14,000, no tax is charged. Beyond that amount, it would be subject to gift tax for the sender.

How can I transfer money from USA to India without tax? ›

Tax for sending money from the USA to India

In general, “blood relatives” — including spouses, children and grandchildren, siblings or in-laws — don't pay tax on any amount you send. However, if you're sending more than about $700 to someone in India who isn't a blood relative, they'll need to report it on their taxes.

How can I invest money in India from USA? ›

Top 5 investment options in India for NRIs from USA
  1. NRI Fixed deposits. Banks offer 3 types fixed deposits non-resident Indian: ...
  2. Mutual funds. ...
  3. Indian stocks. ...
  4. Real estate. ...
  5. Pre-IPO.
Aug 12, 2022

Is NRI income in India taxable at USA? ›

According to Article 15 of the DTAA, a person who is a particular country's resident but has income from a foreign country source, his income would be taxed 'only' in the residential country. This means if an NRI works in the US and his income comes from an Indian source, he has to pay only US taxes.

Is it illegal for NRI to have savings? ›

Most individuals make the mistake of continuing a resident savings account even after becoming an NRI but the law does not allow it. Or in simple words, it's ILLEGAL to hold resident savings bank account for NRIs.

Can I buy Indian stocks as NRI? ›

While trading in equities can be down through NRE or NRO accounts, F&O trading can be done by NRIs only through NRO accounts that are non-Repatriable. Also, NRIs will have to get a Custodial Participant (CP) code before trading in F&O. NRIs can only trade on delivery basis in Indian equities.

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