The Indian stock market provides ample opportunities to create good wealth in the long run. The resident Indians and non-resident Indians can reap great benefits out of the share market. Under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PINS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed the NRIs to invest in the stocks of the registered Indian companies on recognised stock exchanges.
Indian stock market is all set to grow nearly three times by 2022 because of the developments in the financial market. Demat account for NRIs provides an opportunity for NRIs to invest in bonds, IPOs and shares of the Indian stock market.
Demat account ensures that the shares and securities are held in the electronic form and can be operated from anywhere across the world. It also ensures that there is no requirement for physical documents. An NRI should know certain facts before investing in the Indian stock market.
Close Current Demat Account
If an NRI wants to invest in the equity market of India then he has to follow the RBI norms. As per the norms, an NRI cannot purchase or buy equities from the Indian stock market through his existing demat account. To put it another way, NRI must close his existing demat account which he had opened before acquiring NRI status.
Also Read: Dematerialisation of Shares: Convert your Physical Shares to Demat
The holdings in the old demat account of an NRI shall be transferred to Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) demat account. With NRO account, NRIs can manage their earnings like dividend, pension or rent earned in India. Non-Resident External (NRE) account is bank account in which the NRI can deposit income from sources outside India and they can be converted from foreign currency to Indian currency.
Opening the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PINS) Account
Portfolio Investment Scheme account can be said to be demat account for NRI. As per the norms of RBI, NRI must keep two different PINS account for repatriable and non-repatriable shares. Under the PINS, the money in the NRE account can be used by the NRI to purchase stocks. Moreover, the funds shall also be automatically credited to the NRE account for repatriation. The funds shall be credited to the NRO account if the NRI wants the shares to be purchased on a non-repatriable basis. An NRI can open the PINS account on the basis of his requirement with a depository bank. However, if the NRI reacquire the Indian resident status, he must close the PINS account.
Documents Required For Opening PINS Account
NRI willing to open PINS account at a foreign location must submit documents that are attested by the foreign embassy. NRI opening a PINS account when present in India must submit original and copies of the documents that are attested by the bank. The documents required by the depository are as follows.
- Latest passport size photographs
- Copy of PAN card
- Copy of passport and visa
- FEM (Foreign Exchange Management) declaration
- Invalidated cheque leaf of NRE/NRO bank account
- Address proof in India
- Address proof in abroad
Also Read: Demat Account for Minors
Things that NRIs Must Know While Investing in Stock Market
- NRI is not supposed to do intra-day trading and Buy Today Sell Tomorrow (BTST).
- NRI must not hold 10% or more of a registered Indian company and 20% or more in the case of public banks.
- NRI must make bill to bill payments.
- In the absence of NRI, his account cannot be operated by a resident holding Indian power of attorney.
- NRI’s payment cannot be made by a resident holding Indian power of attorney.
Conclusion
India being the fastest growing economy of the world, provides many opportunities for growth. NRIs must avail these opportunities by investing in the Indian financial market.
