NRI/PIO can open a demat account in any of our designated branches. The NRI/PIO needs to mention the type ['NRI' as compared to 'Resident'] and the sub-type ['Repatriable' or 'Non-Repatriable'] in the account opening form, which can be collected from any of our branches.
Does an NRI need any RBI permission to open a demat account?
No permission is required from RBI to open a demat account. However, credits and debits from demat account may require general or specific permissions as the case may be, from designated authorised dealers.
If NRI/PIO desires to make investments under different schemes, can he hold all such securities in a single demat account?
No. Securities received against investments under 'Foreign Direct Investment scheme (FDI)', 'Portfolio Investment scheme (PIS)' and 'Scheme for Investment' on non - repatriation basis have to be credited into separate demat accounts. Investment under PIS could be on repatriation or non - repatriation basis. Investment under FDI scheme is on repatriation basis.
Does an NRI require RBI permission for dematerialiation / rematerialisation of securities?
No special permission is required. Holding securities in demat only constitutes change in form and does not need any special permission. However, only those physical securities which already have the status as NR - Repatriable / NR- Non-Repatriable can be dematerialised in the corresponding Depository Accounts.
Can securities purchased under repatriable and non-repatriable category be held in a single demat account?
No. An NRI must open separate demat accounts for holding 'repatriable' and 'non-repatriable' securities.
In case a person who is resident in India becomes a non-resident, will he/she be required to change the status of his/her holding from Resident to Non-Resident?
As per section 6(5) of FEMA, NRI can continue to hold the securities, which he/she had purchased as a resident Indian, even after he/she has become a non-resident Indian, on a non-repatriable basis.
In case a non-resident Indian becomes a resident in India, will he/she be required to change the status of his/her holding from Non-Resident to Resident?
Yes. It is the responsibility of the NRI to inform the change of status to the designated authorised dealer branch, through which the investor had made the investments in Portfolio Investment Scheme and the DP with whom he/she has opened the demat account. Subsequently, a new demat account in the resident status will have to be opened, securities should be transferred from the NRI demat account to resident account and then close the NRI demat account.
Can an NRI purchase securities by subscribing to public issue? What are the permissions/approvals required?
Yes. The issuing company is required to issue shares to NRI on the basis of specific or general permission from GoI/RBI. Therefore, individual NRI need not obtain any permission.
Can an NRI nominate or be nominated in depository account? Whether such nominee can be person resident in India?
Yes.
What type of bank account details is to be given at the time of account opening and subsequently (by way of change of details)?
The following bank accounts may be given:
For non-repatriable - NRO
For repatriable - NRE [dividend/interest is repatriable]
The above details recorded by the DP in the demat account may be used by the Issuer to directly credit dividend or interest.
(Dividend/interest received on Investments made on repatriation and non - repatriation basis under Portfolio Investment Scheme is not an eligible credit to NRE (PIS) Account and NRO (PIS) Account respectively).
