What is Mutual Fund KYC for NRIs?

SEBI regulations require all investors, including NRIs, to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) so AMCs can verify identity, address, and tax status under PMLA and FEMA rules. Without a valid KYC, NRIs are not allowed to start or continue mutual fund investments in India.

The core framework (KRA/CKYC) is the same, but NRIs must provide an overseas address proof, passport, NRI PAN, and FATCA/CRS details, and often need embassy/notary attestation if documents are sent from abroad.

1. Typical document requirements include those for NRI mutual fund KYC:

• PAN

• Passport (photo and address pages)

• Recent overseas address proof

• Passport-size photo and signature

• Bank proof for NRE/NRO account

• Visa/OCI/PIO proof (may be required based on residency and passport)

If you submit physical copies from overseas, they usually need to be self-attested and also attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate, notary public abroad, or your overseas bank.

NRIs can use the KYC portals of KRAs/RTAs like CAMS or KFintech, upload scanned docuemnts, fill out FATCA/CRS forms, and finish IPVVideo verification where required. You can also track the status using the KRA or CKYC portals using the PAN or KYC number.

Yes, NRIs can fill the individual KYC form (KRA/CKYC), attach attested copies of documents, and courier them to the AMC/RTA or bank distributor in India for processing.

You can check the status on any KRA website (CVL, CAMS, KFin, NDML, Karvy) or CKYC portal using PAN. It will show tags as KYC registered, KYC validated, or on hold.

Recent updates tightened acceptable documents (more Aadhaar-centric for residents) and created a difference where some investors are only "KYC registered" and may be restricted from making new investments with other fund houses until KYC is fully validated.

Frequent issues include a name mismatch between the PAN and the passport, unclear scans, missing FATCA/CRS details, and not updating KYC when the status changes from resident to NRI.

Use your passport as the main reference for name/DOB, keep a recent overseas address proof, ensure all copies are properly attested, complete FATCA/CRS carefully, and update KYC as soon as you become an NRI or change your country of residence.