SEBI allows digital KYC for NRIs and foreign nationals from abroad

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced new regulations allowing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and foreign nationals residing in FATF-compliant countries to complete their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes digitally from abroad.

Effective December 3, 2026, the new framework removes the requirement for clients to be physically present in India during the digital onboarding process. Previously, investors often had to travel to India or rely on physical paperwork to open demat or trading accounts.

Under the revised rules, SEBI-registered intermediaries, such as stockbrokers and mutual fund distributors, may accept digital documents and information from persons resident outside India. Verification will include PAN checks against the Income Tax database and mandatory passport or OCI card copies. Authentication can be completed via DigiLocker, Aadhaar OTP, biometrics, or documents attested by notaries, embassies, or overseas branches of Indian banks.