# SEBI eases digital KYC for NRIs and OCIs: now possible from abroad

URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/sebi-eases-digital-kyc-for-nris-and-ocis-now-possible-from-a
Language: en · Section: Money · Published: 2026-11-04
Source: SEBI, "Review of Know Your Client process for individual Person Resident Outside India clients", 2026-11-04, https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/nov-2026/review-of-know-your-client-process-for-individual-person-resident-outside-india-clients_105603.html

SEBI's circular dated 4 November 2026 relaxes digital KYC rules for NRI, OCI and foreign national clients. Individual PROI clients living in FATF compliant countries can now submit KYC digitally without being in India.

## What this means for you

This change is for NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals who want to open an investment account through a SEBI-registered intermediary in India. Earlier, the client had to be in India during digital KYC; now those in FATF compliant countries can submit documents from abroad. Ordinary domestic investors are not directly affected.

## Key facts

- Circular date: 4 November 2026
- Earlier rule: client had to be in India during digital KYC
- New rule: individual PROI in FATF compliant countries can do digital KYC from abroad
- PROI means NRI, OCI cardholder or foreign national
- KRA will tag individual KYC attributes as 'validated'
- KYC records will be portable across intermediaries

## What has changed

In a circular dated 4 November 2026, SEBI has revised the KYC process. Under the earlier rules, an intermediary had to ensure that the client's physical location was in India during digital KYC. This effectively stopped clients outside India from submitting KYC documents digitally.

Now, for an individual PROI client located in a FATF compliant country, the intermediary may accept digital submission of KYC information and supporting documents. SEBI said the change follows a review and representations from market participants.

## Who benefits

An individual PROI means an NRI, an OCI cardholder or a foreign national — someone who is not resident in India but wants an account-based relationship through a SEBI-registered intermediary.

The circular also says all KYC records shall be portable, meaning they can be shared with another intermediary. A KRA will tag individual attributes as "validated" if they are verified with an official or source database.

## What the KYC will involve

The intermediary will seek the client's PAN and CKYC ID, if available, and retrieve records from the KRA and Central KYC Records Registry. PAN will be verified with the Income Tax Database without insisting on the original or a copy. A passport copy and, where applicable, an OCI card will be collected.

For proof of identity and address, the client can give one of the specified officially valid documents. For an individual PROI, the current address is treated as an overseas address. If a foreign national's document does not show an address, a document from a foreign government department or a letter from a foreign embassy or mission in India can be accepted.

## Rules for video verification

Where physical in-person verification is not feasible, the intermediary will conduct Video In Person Verification. The intermediary's authorised official must be present during VIPV, and the process will be subject to concurrent audit. A specimen signature submitted digitally will be matched during VIPV.

## What to do next

NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals who want to open an investment account in India can approach their SEBI-registered intermediary and indicate that they live in a FATF compliant country. The full circular is available on SEBI's website.

## Questions and answers

**Can NRIs now do digital KYC from abroad?**
Yes, but only if they live in a FATF compliant country. SEBI's circular of 4 November 2026 removes the requirement that the client be in India during digital KYC.

**Who is an individual PROI?**
An individual PROI is an NRI, an OCI cardholder or a foreign national. The circular describes a PROI as a person who is not resident in India.

**Can my KYC record be shared with another intermediary?**
Yes. The circular says all KYC records shall be portable and can be shared with another intermediary, even if every individual attribute is not validated.

**What changes in Video In Person Verification?**
The intermediary's authorised official must be present during VIPV. The VIPV process will also be subject to concurrent audit.

**Which documents can be given for KYC?**
PAN, passport and OCI card where applicable, plus one of the specified officially valid documents for proof of identity and address. For an individual PROI, the current address is treated as an overseas address.

Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.