OFFSHORE INVESTMENT · GIFT CITY IFSC · USD-DENOMINATED
Offshore Investment Services
Your gateway to India’s growth — in dollars, on your terms.
Chanakya Capital’s offshore route lets NRIs, OCIs, FPIs and global investors access India’s equity growth story through GIFT City — in foreign currency, with full repatriation and a single, globally aligned regulator. The same first-principles investing that powers our domestic PMS, structured for the world.
✦ IFSCA-Regulated Structure
✦ USD / GBP / EUR / AED Investing
✦ Full Repatriation
✦ Tax-Efficient for Non-Residents
WHAT IT IS
Offshore Investing in India, Brought Onshore
GIFT City, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Under FEMA it is treated as offshore territory, which means investments here are made and settled in foreign currency and overseen by a single unified regulator, the IFSCA, instead of the multi-agency maze of RBI, SEBI and others.
For a global investor, this solves the three classic frustrations of investing in India: forced rupee conversion and the drag of currency depreciation, tax deducted at source on income, and the paperwork of repatriating money home. Through Chanakya Capital’s GIFT City presence, you gain direct, professionally managed exposure to Indian listed equities — without routing capital through foreign banks or overseas brokers.
It is the same conviction-led, first-principles strategy behind our domestic portfolios, delivered through an offshore vehicle built for cross-border investors.
“Onshore the offshore” — bring the regulatory comfort of New York, London or Singapore to investing directly in the Indian economy.
— The Idea Behind GIFT IFSC
USD
INVEST IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
IFSCA
SINGLE UNIFIED REGULATOR
100%
REPATRIABLE PROCEEDS
Cat III AIF
Chanakya Offshore Vehicle
WHY INVEST OFFSHORE
The Advantages of the GIFT City Route
A neutral, internationally aligned jurisdiction inside India — engineered to make cross-border investing simpler, cheaper and more tax-efficient than the traditional NRI route.
NO FX CONVERSION
Invest in Your Own Currency
Subscribe and redeem in USD, GBP, EUR or AED. No forced rupee conversion, and no exposure to the rupee’s structural depreciation eating into your returns.
TAX EFFICIENCY
Favourable Tax Treatment
For non-residents, IFSC structures offer significant relief — no GST on management fees, concessional treatment on dividends and listed-security gains, and no TDS on eligible income. Your final liability depends on your country of residence and any DTAA.
FREE REPATRIATION
Money Moves Freely
Proceeds from redemption or liquidation can be remitted to your home country without the USD 1 million annual cap that applies to NRO accounts onshore.
SINGLE REGULATOR
One-Window Compliance
The IFSCA replaces the RBI–SEBI–IRDAI multi-agency process with a single point of regulatory engagement, simplifying onboarding and FEMA compliance.
DIRECT INDIA EXPOSURE
The India Growth Story
Participate directly in one of the world’s fastest-growing large economies through a concentrated, research-led portfolio of Indian listed equities.
BOUTIQUE ACCESS
Direct Manager Relationship
As a boutique manager, you deal directly with the people running the strategy — not a call-centre — with a one-to-one relationship from day one.
YOUR OPTIONS
Two Ways to Invest Through Chanakya Capital
Depending on your residency, tax situation and preference for ownership, we offer two offshore structures — both running our first-principles Indian equity strategy.
Offshore Category III AIF
A USD-denominated, IFSCA-registered Category III AIF — a pooled fund where capital from global investors is invested together in Indian listed equities. Ideal for NRIs, FPIs, FIIs and family offices who want a managed, ready-made vehicle. No new India demat account required.
Offshore / Separately Managed PMS
A separately managed account where Indian securities are held directly in your name — full transparency, customisation, and, for US-based investors, no PFIC classification. Suited to those who want their own segregated portfolio rather than fund units.
IMPORTANT —
X GIFT City accounts are for non-residents; you cannot invest through an existing NRE/NRO account. A dedicated IFSC banking/investment account is required, which we help you set up.
ELIGIBILTY
Who Can Invest Offshore
NRIs & OCIs
Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India seeking USD-denominated, repatriable exposure to Indian equities without onshore FEMA friction.
FPIs & FIIs
Foreign Portfolio and Institutional Investors accessing Indian listed markets through a regulated, neutral-jurisdiction structure.
Global Family Offices
International family offices and UHNIs allocating to India as part of a diversified global portfolio, with institutional-grade reporting.
Resident Indians (LRS)
Eligible resident individuals may participate via the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, within the prevailing USD 250,000 annual limit. Subject to applicable conditions.
HOW IT WORKS
How to Invest in Four Steps
1
Confirm eligibility & goals
We verify your residency status (NRI, OCI, FPI or LRS-eligible resident) and align on objectives, horizon and the right structure — AIF or separately managed PMS.
2
Complete KYC & onboarding
Digital, remote-friendly KYC with passport and supporting documents, plus FATCA and FEMA declarations. We coordinate the IFSC account opening so you don’t navigate it alone.
3
Fund your account in foreign currency
Remit capital in USD (or another supported currency) from your overseas or IFSC banking account — no rupee conversion required.
4
We build & manage your portfolio
Our team deploys capital into a concentrated portfolio of Indian listed equities and manages it actively, with transparent reporting and direct access to your fund manager.
FAQ
Offshore & GIFT City Investing — Common Questions
What is offshore investing through GIFT City?
GIFT City is India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), treated as offshore territory under FEMA. It lets non-resident investors put money into Indian and global securities in foreign currency, under a single regulator (the IFSCA), rather than through onshore rupee-based channels.
Who can invest through Chanakya Capital's offshore route?
NRIs, OCIs, FPIs, FIIs and global family offices can invest. Eligible resident Indians may also participate via the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, within the prevailing USD 250,000 annual limit.
What currency do I invest in, and can I take my money back out?
You invest in foreign currency — USD, and depending on the structure, currencies such as GBP, EUR or AED. Proceeds are freely repatriable to your home country, without the USD 1 million annual cap that applies to onshore NRO accounts.
How is offshore investing taxed?
IFSC structures offer meaningful relief for non-residents — no GST on management fees and concessional treatment on dividends and gains from listed securities. Your overall tax outcome ultimately depends on your country of tax residency and any Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. We recommend confirming your position with a qualified tax advisor; SEBI and IFSCA rules prohibit guaranteed-return or tax-outcome promises.
Can I use my existing NRE or NRO account?
No. GIFT City structures are designed for non-residents and require a dedicated IFSC banking/investment account. You cannot invest through an existing NRE or NRO account. We help you set up the correct account during onboarding.
Should I choose the AIF or the separately managed PMS?
The Category III AIF is a pooled, ready-made vehicle with no new India demat account needed. The separately managed PMS holds securities directly in your name, offering full transparency and customisation — and is generally more tax-efficient for US-based investors, as it avoids PFIC classification. We’ll recommend the right fit during your consultation.
Is GIFT City safe and regulated?
Yes. GIFT City is governed by the IFSCA, established under the IFSCA Act, 2019. Entities here must meet capitalisation, compliance and reporting standards comparable to leading global financial centres. It is a fully supervised jurisdiction, not an unregulated offshore account.
What is the minimum investment for the offshore route?
Minimums vary by structure and are set in foreign currency; the Category III AIF and the separately managed offshore PMS have different thresholds. We confirm the applicable minimum for your chosen vehicle during onboarding. Explore the structures on our GIFT City investing page or schedule a consultation for exact figures.
How long does offshore onboarding take?
Onboarding is digital and remote-friendly — KYC with passport and supporting documents, FATCA and FEMA declarations, and IFSC account opening, which we coordinate on your behalf. Timelines depend on documentation and account approvals. Begin the process via our contact page.
What investment strategy is used for offshore portfolios?
Offshore portfolios follow the same conviction-led, first-principles Indian equity strategy as our domestic portfolios — a concentrated, research-led selection of Indian listed equities, actively managed. Learn how our portfolio management services are run.
Can NRIs invest through both the AIF and the PMS?
Yes. NRIs, OCIs, FPIs and global family offices can choose the pooled Category III AIF or a separately managed offshore PMS held directly in their name. See our dedicated PMS for NRIs offering for more.
Who should I contact to get started with offshore investing?
Book a no-obligation consultation with our team, who will confirm your eligibility, recommend the right offshore structure, and guide you through onboarding end to end. Reach us through our contact page.
Access India’s Growth Story — On Global Terms
Book a no-obligation consultation with our team. We’ll confirm your eligibility, recommend the right offshore structure, and walk you through onboarding end to end.