# SEBI Eases KYC for NRIs: Digital Onboarding from Abroad | FastKYC

> SEBI has eased digital KYC rules for NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals in FATF-compliant countries, effective 3 December 2026.

Source: https://www.fastkyc.com/blog/sebi-eases-kyc-nri-digital-onboarding/

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# SEBI Eases KYC for NRIs: Digital Onboarding from Abroad Starts 3 December

SEBI has eased digital KYC rules for NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals in FATF-compliant countries, effective 3 December 2026.

Krithick TSoftware Engineer

-   5 November 2026
-   2 min read

On this page

1.  [What Has Changed?](#what-has-changed)
2.  [Who Can Benefit?](#who-can-benefit)
3.  [Key Features of the New Framework](#key-features-of-the-new-framework)
4.  [1\. Digital Submission of Documents](#1-digital-submission-of-documents)
5.  [2\. Video In-Person Verification (VIPV)](#2-video-in-person-verification-vipv)
6.  [3\. Accepted Documents & Verification Methods](#3-accepted-documents-verification-methods)
7.  [4\. Portable KYC Records](#4-portable-kyc-records)
8.  [5\. Overseas Address Accepted](#5-overseas-address-accepted)
9.  [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
10.  [What Intermediaries Need to Do](#what-intermediaries-need-to-do)

On this page 5 sections

1.  [What Has Changed?](#what-has-changed)
2.  [Who Can Benefit?](#who-can-benefit)
3.  [Key Features of the New Framework](#key-features-of-the-new-framework)
4.  [1\. Digital Submission of Documents](#1-digital-submission-of-documents)
5.  [2\. Video In-Person Verification (VIPV)](#2-video-in-person-verification-vipv)
6.  [3\. Accepted Documents & Verification Methods](#3-accepted-documents-verification-methods)
7.  [4\. Portable KYC Records](#4-portable-kyc-records)
8.  [5\. Overseas Address Accepted](#5-overseas-address-accepted)
9.  [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
10.  [What Intermediaries Need to Do](#what-intermediaries-need-to-do)

On 4 November 2026, SEBI issued a circular that significantly simplifies the KYC process for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and foreign nationals.

The biggest change: eligible overseas investors no longer need to be physically present in India to complete digital KYC. The revised rules come into effect from **3 December 2026**.

## [What Has Changed?](#what-has-changed)

Earlier, SEBI-registered intermediaries had to ensure that the client was physically located in India while doing digital KYC. This created a major friction point for NRIs and foreign investors.

Under the new framework:

-   Individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs) living in **FATF-compliant countries** can complete KYC digitally from abroad.
-   Physical presence in India is no longer mandatory for digital onboarding.
-   Clients from FATF non-compliant countries will continue to follow the existing process.

## [Who Can Benefit?](#who-can-benefit)

The relaxation applies to:

-   Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
-   Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
-   Foreign nationals

Provided they reside in a country that is compliant with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.

## [Key Features of the New Framework](#key-features-of-the-new-framework)

### 1\. Digital Submission of Documents

Intermediaries can now accept KYC information and supporting documents digitally from eligible overseas clients.

### 2\. Video In-Person Verification (VIPV)

Where physical verification is not possible, Video In-Person Verification is allowed. SEBI has prescribed safeguards such as:

-   Live geo-tagging
-   Face liveness checks
-   End-to-end encryption
-   Presence of an authorised official of the intermediary
-   Concurrent audit of the process

### 3\. Accepted Documents & Verification Methods

-   PAN (to be verified against the Income Tax database)
-   Passport
-   OCI card (wherever applicable)
-   DigiLocker e-documents
-   Aadhaar-based authentication (OTP, biometrics or face authentication)
-   Attested copies from authorised certifying authorities (notary, embassy, consulate, etc.)

### 4\. Portable KYC Records

KYC records will be portable across intermediaries. Even if some attributes are not fully validated, the record can still be shared with another intermediary.

### 5\. Overseas Address Accepted

For individual PROI clients, the overseas residential address will be treated as the current address.

## [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)

This change removes a long-standing barrier for overseas investors who want to open trading or demat accounts in India. It should:

-   Speed up onboarding for NRIs and foreign nationals
-   Reduce the need for travel or paper-based processes
-   Improve the overall investor experience
-   Align Indian market access with global digital onboarding standards

## [What Intermediaries Need to Do](#what-intermediaries-need-to-do)

-   Update onboarding flows to support remote digital KYC
-   Implement compliant Video In-Person Verification with liveness and geo-tagging
-   Ensure PAN verification against official databases
-   Submit KYC information to the KRA within the prescribed timeline (three working days)
-   Maintain proper audit trails and concurrent audit mechanisms

-   EBI KYC
-   NRI KYC
-   Digital Onboarding
-   OCI
-   Video KYC

Written by

Krithick T, Software Engineer

Krithick develops verification solutions at FastKYC, helping businesses simplify identity, financial, GST, and document verification across digital onboarding, KYC, KYB, and compliance workflows.

## APIs related to this article

-   [SEBI Debarr Verify APIFetch SEBI and NSE regulatory records for a PAN, checking whether an individual is debarred from securities markets before onboarding or investing.](/apis/sebi-records/)
-   [Face Liveness APIDetect whether a face is a real, live person rather than a photo, video or mask, blocking presentation attacks during onboarding.](/apis/face-liveness/)
-   [PAN Comprehensive APIRetrieve extensive PAN card data for an individual, covering identity details, status and linked information in one call.](/apis/pan-comprehensive/)
-   [DigiLocker Download Docs APIFetch verified documents from a customer's DigiLocker with their consent, for secure retrieval, verification and seamless KYC and onboarding integration.](/apis/digilocker-download-docs/)

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do the new SEBI KYC rules take effect?

From 3 December 2026.

Who can complete KYC from abroad?

NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals residing in FATF-compliant countries.

Is physical presence in India still required?

No. For eligible clients, physical presence is no longer mandatory for digital KYC.

What is Video In-Person Verification?

A remote video-based verification process that includes live geo-tagging, face liveness checks and the presence of an authorised official.

Which documents are required?

PAN, passport, OCI card (if applicable), and proof of identity/address. Electronic documents via DigiLocker or Aadhaar authentication are also accepted.

Can clients from any country use this process?

No. Only those residing in FATF-compliant countries. Others continue under the older rules.

Will KYC done with one intermediary work with another?

Yes. KYC records are now portable across intermediaries.

Does the intermediary still remain responsible for KYC compliance?

Yes. Ultimate responsibility for KYC compliance stays with the intermediary.

Is Aadhaar authentication allowed for overseas clients?

Yes, Aadhaar-based OTP, biometric or face authentication is permitted as one of the verification methods.

How can platforms prepare for this change?

By enabling compliant video KYC with liveness detection, secure document upload, PAN verification and proper audit logging before 3 December 2026.

## Previous articles

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2.  3 November 2026[Banking](/blog/topics/banking/)
    
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