Explore the key differences between LIC and Mutual Funds. Understand the benefits, risks, and returns of both investment options to determine which is better for your financial goals and risk tolerance.
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a convenient way for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to invest in India. With low entry barriers and the flexibility to invest monthly or quarterly, SIPs make it easy to start small and grow ...read more
Thanks to digital investment platforms, SIP for NRIs has become more accessible than ever. They offer a smart way to benefit from rupee appreciation, compounding returns, and exposure to India’s growth potential. Choosing the best SIP plans for NRIs can help you achieve your long-term financial goals with minimal hassle.
Some of the best Investment quotes in UAE & Dubai are:
Yes, NRIs as well as PIOs and OCIs can invest in SIPs just like resident Indians. They can benefit from the same investment opportunities and advantages in India's growing market.
NRI vs PIO vs OCI — What’s the Difference? |
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Note: PIO has been discontinued since 2015. It has now been merged with OCI. |
SIP investment for NRI is best for those seeking disciplined and long-term wealth creation in India.
Here’s why SIP plans for NRI are gaining more popularity —
Benefit | Description |
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Wealth Creation | SIPs enable NRIs to grow their wealth steadily by investing small amounts regularly, aligning with their long-term financial goals. |
Power of Compounding | With each reinvestment, returns multiply over time, helping build a sizable corpus if the investment is held for the long term. |
Affordability | NRIs can start investing with as little as Rs. 500, making SIPs accessible to a broader investor base without the need for large lump sums. |
High Returns Potential | By investing in equity-oriented mutual funds, SIPs offer the potential for attractive long-term returns linked to market performance. |
Tax Benefits | Certain SIP options, like ELSS mutual funds and ULIP plans, provide tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. |
Easy Online Access | The digitisation of SIP platforms makes it easy for NRIs to manage, monitor, and modify investments from anywhere in the world. |
Indian Market Growth | With India's economy on an upward trajectory, SIP for NRIs provides a structured entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. |
Here are the best SIP plans for NRIs to help you compare and make an informed decision —
SIP Plans | Annualised Return (5-years) | Expense Ratio |
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Aditya Birla Sun Life - Individual Pure Equity Fund | 24.56% | NA |
Tata Large & Mid-Cap Fund | 22.14% | 1.76% |
Quant Small Cap Fund Growth | 49.14% | 1.61% |
Tata AIA Life - Super Select Equity Fund | 23.3% | NA |
Kotak Blue Chip Fund | 20.63% | 1.74% |
ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan - Growth | 22.88% | 0.87% |
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Growth for NRI | 36.08% | 1.7% |
HDFC Small Cap Fund Growth | 30.47% | 1.57% |
Nippon India Growth Fund | 31.62% | 1.59% |
SBI Magnum Midcap Fund Growth | 29.66% | 1.66% |
The Aditya Birla Sun Life fund is a joint venture between Sun Life Financial and the Aditya Birla Group. Considered one of the best SIPs for NRI in India, it’s great for those looking for substantial long-term gains and are okay with the risks of the stock market.
This fund has demonstrated a high annualised return of 24.56% over 5 years, showing impressive performance in the stock market. It invests in a variety of major companies’ stocks — Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Nestle India Ltd., Infosys Ltd, and more.
The Tata Large and Mid Cap Fund is designed to take advantage of growth opportunities in both large and mid-sized companies.
A great option regarding SIP investment for NRIs, this fund invests in stocks of established companies as well as those with potential for significant capital appreciation. This includes companies getting noticed more by the market such as HDFC Bank Ltd., Varun Beverages Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd, and more.
Additionally, it has delivered a solid annualised return of 22.14% in the past 5 years. Meanwhile, its expense ratio stands at 1.76%.
The Quant Small Cap Fund Growth scheme is a good SIP for NRIs who want to grow their money over the long term. This fund focuses on investing in small-cap stocks, which are shares of smaller companies with high growth potential.
Over the past 5 years, the fund delivered a strong annualised return of 49.14%, with an expense ratio of 1.61%. Also, its top holdings include high-growth companies like Reliance Industries Ltd., Jio Financial Services Ltd., and Aegis Logistics Ltd., showing its focus on small-cap opportunities.
The Tata AIA Life's Super Select Flexi Equity Fund is a flexible investment plan that primarily invests in stocks and stock-related assets. One of the top SIP plans for NRIs, you can invest in large, mid-sized, and small companies through it and balance the risks and potential rewards.
This fund has achieved an annualised return of 23.3% in the past 5 years. Its holdings include a range of equity investments such as Ultratech Cement Ltd., Bikaji Foods International Ltd., and more.
Started in December 1998, the Kotak Bluechip Fund is managed by Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company. This SIP investment for NRI is suitable for investors looking for long-term growth and relatively less risk through investments.
This fund has provided an annualised return of 20.63% in 5 years with an expense ratio of 1.74%. Its investments are centred around top blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., and more, providing stability and growth through major industry leaders.
Launched in January 2013, the ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund aims to grow investors’ money through top-quality blue chip stocks that offer steady returns.
This best SIP plan for NRI has achieved an impressive annualised return of 22.88% over the past 5 years, reflecting its strong market performance. With an expense ratio of just 0.87%, it offers a cost-effective option for SIP investment for NRIs.
The fund’s holdings include major companies such as ICICI Bank Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Ltd., and more, highlighting its focus on investing in well-established, large-cap stocks.
Managed by Canara Robeco Mutual Fund, this fund was launched in February 2019. It is an open-ended fund, offering flexibility for investors looking to grow their investments in the small-cap sector.
In 5 years, this SIP plan for NRI has delivered exceptional annualised returns of around 36%, paired with an expense ratio of 1.7%. Its major holdings in promising small-cap stocks such as Kei Industries Ltd., Bharat Electronics Ltd., and Kaynes Technology Ltd. reflect its high-growth investment strategy.
The HDFC Small Cap Fund aims to help investors make money by focusing on small-cap stocks. The fund manager selects stocks based on several criteria —
The average annualised return of this fund over 5 years is 30.47% with an expense ratio of 1.57%. The fund’s investments in stocks like Firstsource Solutions Ltd., Bank of Baroda, and Sonata Software Ltd. show its focus on small-cap growth opportunities.
With the Nippon India Growth Fund scheme, you can primarily invest in stocks of medium-sized companies. The primary aim of this fund is to achieve long-term capital growth by investing in stocks and related securities.
In 5 years, this fund has provided an expected annualised return of 31.62%, with an expense ratio of 1.59%. The fund’s portfolio includes high-potential stocks such as Power Finance Corporation Ltd., Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd., and Persistent Systems Ltd., highlighting its growth-oriented approach.
Launched in March 2005, this SIP investment for NRI aims to offer long-term capital growth by investing mainly in a diverse range of midcap stocks. Over the past 5 years it has delivered a competitive annualised return of 29.66% with an expense ratio of 1.66%.
The fund’s holdings feature a diverse array of mid-cap stocks including Torrent Power Ltd., CRISIL Ltd., and Carborundum Universal Ltd.
To get the most out of your SIP investment for NRIs, it’s essential to follow a disciplined and informed approach.
Here are a few simple strategies to help you maximise returns while keeping SIP investments for NRIs manageable —
When you are opting for the best SIP plans for NRIs, keep the following tips in mind to ensure smooth and efficient investing —
Tip | Description |
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Diversify Your SIP Portfolio | Spreading your investments across multiple fund types ensures better risk-adjusted returns. It’s a core principle of successful SIP investment for NRIs. |
Review Your Portfolio Periodically | Reassess your investments every 6–12 months. Make sure they still align with your evolving goals and risk appetite. |
Stay Aware of Market Trends in India | Understanding Indian market trends will help you tweak your SIP for NRI investments and capitalise on growth sectors. |
Use the Right Bank Account | Always use NRE or NRO accounts while setting up your SIP investment in India for NRIs. Using foreign bank accounts can lead to application rejection. |
Understand Tax Implications | Gains from SIP redemptions are taxable in India. Be sure to understand taxation under Indian law and your country of residence to avoid surprises. |
Check Repatriation Rules | You can transfer both the invested amount and earnings abroad. However, ensure compliance with FEMA, FATCA (if from the US/Canada), and CRS regulations. |
Before starting a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in India, NRIs should consider several important factors to ensure compliant, profitable, and hassle-free investing.
Here's what you need to know —
NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs are eligible to invest in SIPs in India. No special permissions are required from the RBI to begin investing.
NRIs have the flexibility to invest in Indian Rupees or other currencies, depending on the terms set by the mutual fund or insurance provider. Payments can be made through NRE/NRO accounts, foreign remittances, or international cards.
To start an SIP, NRIs must provide:
NRIs can choose from:
SIP maturity proceeds can be repatriated to your home country, provided you comply with RBI and FEMA regulations. Proper documentation and routing via NRE accounts simplify this process.
Many platforms now offer goal-based SIP investing, helping NRIs align SIP plans with retirement, children’s education, or wealth creation goals—with tailored recommendations and periodic reviews.
Digital SIPs vs. Traditional (Physical) SIPsWhile earlier SIP investments required physical paperwork and in-person visits, today’s SIPs are completely digital —
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Yes, Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are taxable for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). However, the taxation depends on the type of mutual fund and duration of the scheme. NRIs should consult a tax professional to understand the specific tax implications.
Quant Small Cap Fund Growth for NRI gave 49.14 % annualised returns in 5 years on SIP investments, which makes it one of the biggest gainers in the mutual fund market.
Yes, NRIs can continue their SIP in India. For this, ensure your NRO account details are updated and you comply with relevant regulations and tax laws.
Yes, SIP is a great option for NRIs as it offers a simple and disciplined way to invest in Indian mutual funds. NRIs can choose between repatriable and non-repatriable options depending on their investment goals.
The 7-5-3-1 rule is a guideline for SIP investors: stay invested for 7+ years, diversify across 5 funds, be mentally prepared for 3-year volatility, and start with at least ₹1,000 monthly to build long-term wealth.
Yes, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs can invest in SIPs with life insurance cover in India without requiring special permissions from the RBI.
NRIs can start an SIP by submitting a PAN card, passport copy, NRE/NRO bank account details, Indian and overseas address proof. Most platforms allow digital onboarding for quick setup.