For NRIs

It depends on where the money came from. NRE accounts hold repatriable income earned abroad — you can move principal and gains back out freely, and the interest is tax-free in India. NRO accounts hold India-sourced income like rent or dividends — these have repatriation limits and TDS applies. Most NRI investors maintain both and route investments from the right one. I help you structure this correctly before your first investment, because fixing it later means paperwork.

Yes — resident Indian rules mostly apply, with a few differences. You invest through your NRE or NRO account, complete KYC (now doable via video from abroad), and most fund houses accept US and Canada-based NRIs, though some have additional documentation (FATCA compliance is standard). The bigger practical issue is fund selection: some funds don't accept US/Canada NRIs. I work with platforms and fund houses that handle NRI documentation smoothly, so the process is a formality rather than a barrier.

Investments made through NRE accounts or designated NRI schemes are fully repatriable — you sell, the money returns to your NRE account, and you can transfer it abroad through your bank using the required forms (typically CA-certified Form 15CA/CB for amounts above limits). NRO funds have a USD 1 million per financial year repatriation ceiling and need documentation. The process is established and routine — the key is having invested through the right account in the first place.

Video KYC has made this straightforward — most institutions now accept a video call where you show your passport and confirm your overseas address. You will need your PAN, passport, an overseas address proof (utility bill or bank statement), and in some cases a canceled cheque from your NRE/NRO account. The whole process typically completes within a week. I schedule these calls at hours that work in your time zone.

Indian bonds can play a solid role in an NRI portfolio — government bonds and quality corporate bonds offer yields often higher than what you see in developed markets, and for rupee-denominated goals (a future India expense, supporting parents), they remove currency risk from that portion of your plan. The considerations are tax treatment at your slab rate and how the rupee's movement affects returns if you plan to repatriate. It is one instrument among many — I look at your whole picture before recommending allocation.

You can buy Indian life insurance as an NRI, and premiums are often lower than comparable cover abroad — but there are details to get right. Most insurers require the medical examination to be done in India or accept reports from your country of residence, and how you pay premiums (NRE vs NRO) affects repatriability of the payout. For NRIs in the US and Canada, some insurers have restrictions. Term cover for family protection in India and a review of your existing policies is where I typically start with NRI clients.