SEBI permits remote digital KYC for NRIs, OCIs, and foreign nationals from 3 December 2026, easing onboarding for overseas investors.
Digital KYC Now Permitted for Overseas Investors
Effective 3 December 2026, SEBI allows digital Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) holders, and foreign nationals residing in Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant jurisdictions. This marks a significant easing of onboarding procedures for cross-border investors.
The framework permits Video Interactive Person Verification (VIPV), reliance on KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) and CKYC, and imposes intermediary responsibilities for document validation and risk monitoring. It aligns with global best practices in remote identity verification and supports financial inclusion of the diaspora.
Compliance officers must ensure robust authentication protocols and audit trails. The move is expected to accelerate foreign capital inflows and reduce the administrative lag in investor onboarding.
