NRI Investment Options in India: Mutual Funds, Stocks, Property & More
Complete guide to investment options available for NRIs in India
- NRE FD: Tax-free returns of 6.5-7.5% - best for safety and repatriation
- Mutual Funds: Equity/debt funds allowed (except US/Canada NRIs) via NRE/NRO
- Real Estate: Residential/commercial allowed, agricultural land prohibited
- FEMA Rules: All investments must comply with RBI/FEMA regulations
Top NRI Investment Options
Tax-free, fully repatriable
Equity/debt options available
Rental income + appreciation
High risk, high returns
NRE vs NRO Account
| Feature | NRE | NRO |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Funds | Foreign income | Indian income |
| Tax on Interest | Tax-free | Taxable (30%) |
| Repatriation | Fully repatriable | Limited |
| Joint Holder | Only NRI | NRI or resident |
Tax Implications for NRIs
NRE FD Interest
Completely tax-free
NRO FD Interest
30% TDS (plus cess)
Rental Income
30% tax rate applicable
Capital Gains
Same as residents (LTCG/STCG rates apply)
Best Strategy for Different Goals
NRE Fixed Deposits, Liquid Funds
Balanced Mutual Funds, Debt Funds
Equity Mutual Funds, Real Estate
FEMA Compliance
NRIs must comply with Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations:
- • Cannot invest in agricultural land or plantation property
- • Can buy residential/commercial property (up to 2 properties)
- • Must route all investments through NRE/NRO accounts
- • Repatriation limits apply on certain investments
Related Calculators
NRI Investment Tax Planning
Compare tax implications across different NRI investment options with TDS rates and post-tax returns
NRI Mutual Fund & Equity Taxation
Calculate tax on equity and mutual fund investments with dividend taxation and Section 115F exemption
NRI Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate capital gains on equity, mutual funds, property, and gold with Sections 115E/115F provisions
SIP Returns Calculator
Calculate returns on your Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) investments
Lumpsum Investment Returns
Calculate returns on one-time investment with compound interest and CAGR analysis
Investment Portfolio Rebalancer
Rebalance your investment portfolio to maintain target asset allocation