How to invest in US stocks from India: Check options to buy shares of American companies like Apple, Tesla and more
Indians can invest in companies such as Apple, Tesla and Nvidia through two routes. You can buy US stocks directly or invest indirectly through funds. Your choice depends on whether you prefer control over shares or simpler investing.
RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows resident Indians to send money abroad. The limit is $250,000 per financial year for permitted transactions, including overseas share investments.
Open an account with a broker accepting Indian residents. Examples include Interactive Brokers, Vested, and platforms that work with local brokers. Transfer money from your bank through LRS, converting rupees into dollars.
Once funds reach your brokerage account, you can buy stocks on major US exchanges. These include the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. You choose which shares to buy, hold or sell.
GIFT City in Gujarat offers investment platforms regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority. Platforms such as INDmoney provide access to US stocks through this setup.
You still transfer dollars under your LRS limit. Money enters a US stocks wallet and becomes available within 24 hours.
NSE International Exchange also offers depository receipts linked to selected US companies. However, these cover roughly 50 stocks, offering fewer choices than overseas brokerage accounts.
Indian mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer an indirect route. Some invest through international funds, while others follow indices such as the Nasdaq-100 or theS&P 500.
You invest in rupees using your demat account or mutual fund app. This avoids international bank transfers and LRS paperwork. However, you cannot choose individual stocks through these funds.
Expenses may be higher because fees may apply at both the fund and share levels. Overseas investment limits can also disrupt access. Some fund houses have paused fresh investments when limits approach capacity.
GIFT City also offers fund structures that pool money into international assets. These provide broad exposure to the US market under an Indian regulatory framework. Their structures offer different arrangements for individual and institutional investors.
Tax collected at source (TCS) applies to certain LRS transfers above ₹10 lakh. The rate is 20%, excluding transfers for education or medical needs. You can adjust TCS against your tax bill.
US dividends generally incur a 25% withholding tax for individuals under the tax treaty. Submit Form W-8BEN to your broker to claim this rate. Dividends are also taxable in India.
Gains on shares held for more than 24 months are subject to a 12.5% tax. Shorter holdings are subject to your income tax slab rate. You must disclose foreign assets and file an income tax return. This applies even when income falls below the basic exemption limit.
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.
Catch all the Instant Personal Loan, Business Loan, Business News, Money news, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More
✕
Wait for it…
Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.