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Sebi relaxes KYC requirements for foreign investors, enables digital onboarding

India's securities regulator has streamlined Know Your Customer norms for overseas investors, introducing digital onboarding procedures effective December 3. The move aims to facilitate easier market access for non-resident Indians and foreign nationals.

LSN India · 5 November 2026

Sebi relaxes KYC requirements for foreign investors, enables digital onboarding

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has announced revised Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements designed to simplify the investment process for overseas participants in Indian capital markets. The regulatory changes will become effective from December 3, marking a significant step towards modernising the onboarding framework for international investors.

Under the new framework, non-resident Indians and foreign nationals will benefit from streamlined KYC procedures that leverage digital platforms for verification and documentation. The relaxed norms aim to reduce friction in the investor registration process while maintaining regulatory safeguards required by Sebi.

The digitisation of onboarding procedures is expected to accelerate the pace at which overseas investors can gain market access, potentially broadening the investor base for Indian securities. The initiative aligns with broader efforts by Indian policymakers to enhance the country's attractiveness as an investment destination.

Sebi's move reflects a balance between regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. By enabling digital verification processes, the regulator seeks to maintain oversight standards while reducing documentation burdens on foreign investors seeking exposure to Indian equities and other securities.