Going global: Step-by-step guide to buying international stocks

Summary

Indian investors can access US stocks through regulated platforms, but forex charges, brokerage, tax rules and disclosure requirements can add to the cost. Here’s what to know before investing.

Investing in foreign markets like the US allows Indian investors to diversify beyond domestic equities and gain exposure to global stocks. Indians can use various regulatory channels to access international stocks. Here’s a breakdown of how one can get started, how insurance works, what charges apply, brokerage charges, and taxation.

Getting started

Indian residents can invest abroad under the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows individuals to remit up to $250,000 per financial year for foreign stocks, overseas-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other permitted purposes, including travel and education.

To facilitate investing, Indian platforms operate through regulated frameworks. "In August 2025, IFSCA (the regulator for GIFT City) introduced the Global Access Provider (GAP) framework, a regulated channel for Indians to invest in international markets," explained Puneet Maheshwari, director at Upstox.

Platforms such as Upstox and Groww hold GAP licences through their GIFT City entities, alongside direct LRS routes. "The platform acts as the regulated gateway, while accounts are opened in the customer's name with a US broker partner regulated by the SEC and FINRA," noted a Groww spokesperson. Viram Shah, co-founder and CEO of Vested Finance, added that investors can buy listed foreign securities or overseas funds under these rules.

Remittance costs

Once the account is set up, investors transfer rupees, which are converted into foreign currency and remitted abroad.

"Direct bank transfers can be expensive, with FX conversion fees ranging between 1.5% and 2%," noted Shah. "However, platform partnerships with banks help lower FX rates to between 0.5% and 1.5% without the fixed transaction fees."

Tax collected at source (TCS) applies to LRS remittances exceeding ₹10 lakh per financial year. "There is no TCS up to ₹10 lakh annually. Above that, TCS is 20%, which can be claimed back or adjusted in your income tax return," said Maheshwari.

Custody and protection

Investors can buy shares, including fractional shares for as little as $1, according to the platforms. However, Shah cautions that under LRS rules, investors cannot keep cash idle in trading accounts for more than one year.