The Reserve Bank of India amended its know your customer directions for regional rural banks to allow foreign portfolio investors to use an alternative overseas process for certifying customer identification documents. Effective immediately, the change extends to foreign portfolio investors a facility already available to nonresident Indians and persons of Indian origin and aligns with parallel changes for cooperative banks. Instead of a bank officer comparing a document copy with the original, a foreign portfolio investor may provide an original certified copy authenticated by specified overseas bank officials, a notary public, a court magistrate or judge, or the Indian Embassy or Consulate General in the investor’s country of residence.
2026-09-18Reserve Bank of India
Reserve Bank of India extends alternative overseas KYC document certification to foreign portfolio investors at regional rural banks
The Reserve Bank of India has extended an alternative overseas KYC document certification process at regional rural banks to foreign portfolio investors with immediate effect. Eligible investors may provide copies certified by specified bank officials, judicial or notarial authorities, or Indian diplomatic missions.