- 1. The GIFT City (IFSC) Route
- 2. Indian Mutual Funds and Fund of Funds (FoFs)
- 3. Indian Brokers
- 4. Foreign-Registered Brokers
- 5. US-Focused Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Final Thoughts on Investing in US Stock from India
For a long time, investing in American companies felt out of reach for Indian investors. However, that has changed completely with time and tech development. Today, you can invest in US stocks from India using simple online platforms like INDmoney and others that connect you directly to Wall Street.
The appeal of investing in the US Stock Market is obvious as it is home to some of the biggest names in business including FAANG stocks, and hundreds of others that shape global innovation.
Owning a small part of these firms gives your portfolio international diversification and exposure to growth opportunities outside India. Let’s look at how you can invest in US Stocks from India, the platforms that make it possible, and what to consider before you start.
1. The GIFT City (IFSC) Route
GIFT City, India’s International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat, offers a new way to trade global assets from within Indian regulation.
On INDmoney, for example, US stock investing is enabled through INDmoney Global IFSC (P) Ltd., a registered NSE IX member regulated by IFSCA, GIFT City. The Global Access accounts are powered by regulated US brokers like DriveWealth LLC and Alpaca Securities LLC, overseen by SEC and FINRA.
As for Direct Access accounts, US stocks are held in a Demat account with INDmoney Global IFSC in GIFT City’s international zone. INDmoney is also licensed as a Global Access Provider (GAP) by IFSCA, enabling Indians to invest in 9,000+ U.S. stocks and global ETFs through a fully regulated, transparent, and secure framework.
Other Examples: NSE IFSC Global Access, India INX Global Access (BSE IFSC)
How it works:
You open an account with an IFSC-registered broker and trade in Unsponsored Depository Receipts (UDRs) of US-listed companies through exchanges like NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) or India INX.
| Advantages | Things to Keep in Mind |
| Indian KYC and compliance, but trades settled in USD. | Still an evolving ecosystem with fewer listed US stocks. |
| Easier setup than a foreign brokerage account. | LRS limit of USD 250,000 applies. |
| Operates under Indian regulation with RBI and SEBI oversight. | Tax treatment of UDRs may differ from regular equity shares. |
| Combines Indian convenience with global exposure. | Currency risk remains since trading is in USD. |
Who it suits: Investors who prefer to stay within Indian regulation while accessing foreign markets.
2. Indian Mutual Funds and Fund of Funds (FoFs)
This is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to invest abroad. Indian fund houses run mutual fund schemes that put your money into American stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, Broadcom, Oracle, Intel or global exchange-traded funds.
Examples: Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund of Fund, Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 Fund of Fund
How it works:
You invest in rupees through your usual mutual fund app or distributor. The fund house converts it into dollars and invests in US-listed assets. You don’t have to deal with foreign bank accounts or currency conversion.
| Advantages | Things to Keep in Mind |
| Easy to start with Indian KYC and rupee-based investment. | You can’t pick which companies the fund invests in. |
| Managed by experienced professionals and regulated by SEBI. | Fund costs are slightly higher due to international exposure. |
| Diversified exposure to large US tech leaders. | Currency fluctuations can affect your returns in INR. |
| Perfect for hands-off global investing. | Some funds pause fresh inflows when SEBI overseas limits are reached. |
3. Indian Brokers
If you like the idea of owning US stocks directly, this is a good middle ground. Several Indian brokers now allow clients to trade in American markets through global partnerships.
Other Examples: HDFC Securities Global Investing (through Stockal), ICICI Direct Global (via Interactive Brokers),
How it works:
You create a “US Stocks” account with an Indian broker, fund it under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), and start buying shares in dollars. The current LRS limit is $250,000 per financial year.
| Advantages | Things to Keep in Mind |
| Direct ownership of US-listed shares and ETFs. | USD remittance involves minor paperwork and bank charges. |
| Fractional investing makes high-priced stocks accessible. | Dividends are taxed in the US and must be declared in India. |
| Unified platform showing Indian and global holdings together. | Currency conversion fees can slightly impact returns. |
| Local customer support and Indian KYC process. | Disclosure of foreign assets is mandatory during tax filing. |
Who it suits: Investors who want to pick specific US stocks but prefer using an Indian-regulated platform.
4. Foreign-Registered Brokers
Experienced investors who want complete control often open accounts directly with international brokers.
Examples: Interactive Brokers, Vested Finance (US-registered, India-compliant), Charles Schwab International Account
How it works:
You open an account with a US or international broker that accepts Indian clients, complete their online verification, send funds under LRS, and trade directly in USD.
| Advantages | Things to Keep in Mind |
| Access to thousands of stocks, ETFs, and US-listed funds. | Requires familiarity with foreign investment processes. |
| Lower trading fees and professional tools. | You must manage your own compliance and taxes. |
| Fractional investing available on most platforms. | Repatriating funds back to India can take time. |
| Full transparency and real-time global data. | Currency risk affects the final rupee value of gains. |
Who it suits: Investors comfortable with cross-border platforms and self-managed portfolios.
5. US-Focused Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
ETFs are another effective way to gain exposure to the US market. These funds mirror American indices like the Nasdaq 100 or S&P 500 and trade on Indian exchanges in rupees.
Examples: Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF, Nippon India Hang Seng BeES (for broader global exposure)
How it works:
You buy units of ETFs that track American markets, such as those focusing on technology, innovation, or large-cap companies.
| Advantages | What to Watch |
| Trade easily on NSE and BSE in rupees. | You don’t directly own US-listed shares. |
| Lower entry barriers and high liquidity. | Tracking errors can slightly affect returns. |
| Good for passive, long-term investing. | Still exposed to INR-USD fluctuations indirectly. |
| No remittance or LRS paperwork required. | Limited choice compared to US-listed ETFs. |
Who it suits: : Long-term investors seeking easy, rupee-based access to US indices.
Final Thoughts on Investing in US Stock from India
There is no doubt that the US stock market offers access to global leaders across technology, healthcare, finance, AI, and energy companies that shape everyday life and drive innovation worldwide. Investing in them helps Indian investors diversify beyond domestic markets and build wealth in a globally stable currency.
However, it is clear that there’s no one shoe fits all answer to “How to invest in US stocks from India?” It depends on how involved you want to be and how much effort you’re willing to put into compliance. With the right platform and a clear goal, US equities can add strength, diversity, and stability to your portfolio for the long run.
Disclaimer:
The content is meant for education and general information purposes only. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. The securities quoted are exemplary and are not a recommendation. This in no way is to be construed as financial advice or a recommendation to invest in any specific stock or financial instrument. The figures mentioned in this article are indicative and for general informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to verify the exact numbers and financial data from official sources such as company filings, earnings reports, and financial news platforms. The Company strongly encourages its users/viewers to conduct their own research, and consult with a registered financial advisor before making any investment decisions. All disputes in relation to the content would not have access to an exchange investor redressal forum or arbitration mechanism. Registered office address: Office No. 507, 5th Floor, Pragya II, Block 15-C1, Zone-1, Road No. 11, Processing Area, GIFT SEZ, GIFT City, Gandhinagar – 382355. IFSCA Broker-Dealer Registration No. IFSC/BD/2023-24/0016, IFSCA DP Reg No: IFSC/DP/2023-24/010.