How to Choose the Right Mutual Fund as an NRI

You've opened three different mutual fund apps. You're staring at 1,500+ fund options. Some promise 15% returns. 

Others show fancy charts. One has a "direct plan," another says "regular." 

Your WhatsApp is flooded with "hot tips" from friends. And you're thinking: how on earth do I pick the right one?

At Belong, we work with thousands of NRIs in the UAE who face this exact overwhelm. The truth? Most mutual funds aren't bad-they're just wrong for your situation. 

The right fund for someone planning to retire in India in 20 years is completely different from someone saving for their child's UK university in 5 years. Over the last two years, our WhatsApp community has helped NRIs cut through the noise using a simple, repeatable framework. 

This guide gives you that exact checklist-covering returns, risk, tax efficiency, repatriation, expense ratios, fund manager track records, and more. 

By the end, you'll know how to filter 1,500 funds down to 3–5 that actually fit your goals.

Why Choosing the Right Mutual Fund Matters More for NRIs Than Residents

Let's start with what makes your situation different from a resident investor in Mumbai or Delhi.

You Face Double Risk: Market + Currency

When you invest in Indian mutual funds, your returns depend on two variables:

1. Fund performance (how well the stocks or bonds in the fund perform)
2. INR/AED exchange rate (rupee depreciation or appreciation)

A fund can deliver 12% returns in INR, but if the rupee depreciates 4% against the dirham during that period, your real AED return is closer to 8%.

According to RBI data, the INR has depreciated against major currencies at an average rate of 3–5% annually over the last decade. This makes currency risk a silent wealth eraser for NRIs.

Track this risk live: Rupee vs Dollar Tracker.

Repatriation Matters

Not all mutual funds are equal when it comes to bringing your money back to the UAE. If you invest through an NRO account, repatriation is capped at $1 million per year and requires paperwork (Form 15CA/15CB). If you invest through an NRE account, everything is fully repatriable with no limits.

Your fund choice must align with your repatriation needs.

Tax Treatment Differs

As an NRI, you face TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on redemptions. Long-term capital gains on equity mutual funds are taxed at 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh per year, while debt funds are taxed at your slab rate upto 30%

Choosing between equity and debt funds has direct tax consequences. Read our full breakdown: Mutual Fund Taxation for NRIs.

You Can't Monitor Daily

You're in a different time zone. You're busy. You can't track markets every day or react to crashes. This means you need funds that are:

• Low maintenance (index funds, large-cap funds)
• Suitable for SIP automation
• Managed by stable, reputed AMCs (Asset Management Companies)

👉 Tip: Choose funds you can ignore for 6–12 months without anxiety. If you're checking NAV daily, you've picked the wrong fund.

Step 1: Start With Your Goal, Not the Fund

This is where most NRIs go wrong. They start by browsing funds instead of defining what they need the money for.

Map Your Goals to Time Horizons

The longer your time horizon, the more equity risk you can take. Equity funds are volatile short-term but deliver superior long-term returns.

According to AMFI data, equity mutual funds have delivered 12–14% CAGR over 15-year rolling periods, outpacing inflation and fixed deposits.

Write Down Your Goals

Before you pick a single fund, write:

• What is this money for?
• When will I need it?
• Can I afford to lose 20–30% in a bad year?

If your answer to the last question is "no," stay away from pure equity funds and stick to balanced or debt funds.

Step 2: Understand the Fund Categories-Equity, Debt, and Hybrid

India's mutual fund universe is vast. SEBI classifies funds into clear categories. Let's break them down.

Equity Funds (High Risk, High Return Potential)

These invest primarily in stocks. Minimum 65% equity exposure for tax benefits.

Sub-categories:

1. Large-cap funds: Invest in top 100 companies by market cap (Reliance, TCS, HDFC Bank). Lower risk within equity.

2. Mid-cap funds: Invest in companies ranked 101–250. Higher growth potential, higher volatility.

3. Small-cap funds: Invest in companies ranked 251+. Can deliver explosive returns or steep losses.

4. Flexi-cap/Multi-cap funds: Fund manager has freedom to invest across large, mid, and small caps based on opportunities.

5. Index funds: Passively track an index like Nifty 50 or Sensex. Low expense ratio (0.1–0.3%), consistent with market returns.

6. Sectoral/Thematic funds: Focus on specific sectors (IT, pharma, banking) or themes (ESG, consumption). High risk due to concentration.

Best for: NRIs with 7+ year horizons, high risk tolerance, and goals like retirement or wealth creation.

Tax: LTCG at 12.5% (above ₹1.25 lakh), STCG at 20%.

Debt Funds (Low Risk, Moderate Returns)

These invest in bonds, government securities, and fixed-income instruments.

Sub-categories:

1. Liquid funds: Invest in securities maturing within 91 days. Lowest risk, lowest return (~4–6% annually). Good for emergency funds.

2. Ultra-short and short-duration funds: Invest in securities maturing within 1–3 years. Moderate risk, 6–8% returns.

3. Corporate bond funds: Invest in AA+ and above-rated corporate bonds. Slightly higher risk, 7–9% returns.

4. Gilt funds: Invest in government securities. No credit risk, but interest rate risk exists.

Best for: NRIs with 1–5 year goals, low risk appetite, or capital preservation needs.

Tax: Gains taxed at slab rate (5–30% depending on income). No preferential treatment post-April 2023.

Also Read - Types of Mutual Funds

Hybrid Funds (Balanced Approach)

These mix equity and debt to balance risk and return.

Sub-categories:

1. Aggressive hybrid: 65–80% equity, 20–35% debt. Equity taxation applies.

2. Balanced advantage/Dynamic asset allocation: Fund manager dynamically shifts between equity and debt based on valuations.

3. Conservative hybrid: 10–25% equity, 75–90% debt. Lower volatility, debt taxation applies.

Best for: First-time NRI investors, or those wanting equity exposure without full volatility.

International Funds and Gold Funds

• International equity funds: Invest in US, Europe, or emerging markets. Taxed as debt funds (slab rate).

• Gold funds/Gold ETFs: Invest in gold. Taxed as debt funds. Good for diversification but not core holdings.

👉 Tip: For your first mutual fund as an NRI, start with a Nifty 50 index fund or a flexi-cap fund. These are simple, diversified, and forgiving.

Explore recommendations: Best Mutual Funds for NRIs.

Step 3: Check Historical Returns-But Don't Chase Them Blindly

Past performance doesn't guarantee future returns, but it's still the best indicator you have.

What to Look For

1. Rolling returns, not point-to-point returns

A fund that shows 20% return in one year might have delivered only 8% over 5 years. Look at 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year rolling returns to smooth out luck and market cycles.

2. Compare against the benchmark

Every fund has a benchmark index (e.g., Nifty 50 for large-cap funds, Nifty Midcap 150 for mid-cap funds). A good fund should beat its benchmark consistently over 5+ years.

Example:

• Fund A: 5-year return = 14%
• Nifty 50 (benchmark): 5-year return = 12%
• Fund has outperformed by 2% annually-good sign.

3. Consistency matters more than one-time spikes

A fund that delivers 10–12% every year is better than one that does 25% one year and 2% the next. Check quartile rankings-funds that stay in the top 2 quartiles consistently are winners.

Where to Check Returns

Use free platforms like:

• Value Research Online
• Morningstar India
• AMFI website

Or check within the Belong app, where we track and rate funds specifically for NRI needs.

👉 Tip: If a fund has delivered below-benchmark returns for 3 consecutive years, it's time to exit-even if it was a star performer earlier.

Also Read - Comparing Indian Mutual Funds vs UAE Mutual Funds

Step 4: Evaluate the Expense Ratio-Small Percentages, Big Impact

The expense ratio is the annual fee the fund charges to manage your money. It's deducted daily from the NAV (Net Asset Value).

Why It Matters

A 1% difference in expense ratio doesn't sound like much. But over 20 years, it compounds into lakhs.

Example:

You invest ₹10 lakh in two funds with identical returns of 12% annually.

• Fund A: Expense ratio 0.5% → Final corpus: ₹89.5 lakh
• Fund B: Expense ratio 2% → Final corpus: ₹73.2 lakh

You lose ₹16.3 lakh over 20 years just due to higher fees.

What's a Good Expense Ratio?

Direct plans vs Regular plans:

• Direct plans: You buy directly from the AMC or platforms like Kuvera, Groww. Lower expense ratio (0.5–1% less).
• Regular plans: You buy through a distributor who earns a commission. Higher expense ratio.

Always choose direct plans. The difference adds up to 20–30% extra corpus over 20 years.

According to SEBI, indicates direct plan investors save 0.5–1% annually, depending on the fund category (e.g., 0.5% for index funds, up to 1% for mid/small-cap funds).

👉 Tip: If you're using a platform, verify it offers direct plans. Some platforms quietly push regular plans to earn commissions.

Step 5: Assess the Fund Manager and AMC Reputation

A mutual fund's performance depends heavily on the fund manager's skill and the AMC's stability.

What to Check About the Fund Manager

1. Tenure: Has the manager been handling the fund for 3+ years? If the current manager is new, past performance is irrelevant.

2. Track record across funds: Check if the manager has managed other funds successfully. Look for consistency.

3. Investment philosophy: Does the manager follow a clear strategy (value investing, growth investing, momentum)? Or do they chase trends?

You can find fund manager details in the fund's factsheet (available on AMC websites or Value Research).

Top AMCs for NRIs

Some AMCs have stronger processes, better compliance, and consistent performance:

• HDFC Mutual Fund
• ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund
• SBI Mutual Fund
• Axis Mutual Fund
• Nippon India Mutual Fund
• Kotak Mutual Fund

These have scale (high AUM), experienced teams, and regulatory credibility.

Avoid very small AMCs with AUM below ₹500 crore-they may lack stability and liquidity.

👉 Tip: Don't fall for "hot new funds" launched by unknown AMCs. Stick to established players with 10+ years of track record.

Step 6: Check Fund Size (AUM) and Liquidity

AUM (Assets Under Management) tells you how much money the fund manages.

Why AUM Matters

Too small (below ₹100 crore):

• Higher risk of fund closure or merger
• Less liquidity-harder to exit during market stress
• Higher impact cost when buying/selling large positions

Too large (above ₹50,000 crore for mid/small-cap funds):

• Hard to deploy capital efficiently
• Returns may taper as the fund becomes index-like
• Difficult to enter/exit positions quickly

Ideal AUM Range

A fund with ₹5,000 crore AUM and a stable 3-year track record is in the sweet spot-big enough to be stable, small enough to be nimble.

Step 7: Understand Risk Metrics-Standard Deviation, Beta, and Sharpe Ratio

These sound technical, but they're simple once explained.

Standard Deviation (Volatility)

Measures how much the fund's returns swing up and down. Higher standard deviation = higher risk.

Example:

• Fund A: Standard deviation 10% → Returns fluctuate between 8% and 18% typically.
• Fund B: Standard deviation 25% → Returns fluctuate between -5% and 25%.

Rule: If you're risk-averse, choose funds with lower standard deviation (large-cap, balanced funds). If you can handle swings, mid/small-cap funds are fine.

Beta (Market Sensitivity)

Measures how much the fund moves relative to the market (benchmark).

• Beta = 1: Moves exactly with the market.
• Beta > 1: More volatile than the market.
• Beta \< 1: Less volatile than the market.

Example: A beta of 1.2 means if the market rises 10%, the fund typically rises 12%. If the market falls 10%, the fund falls 12%.

Rule: High beta funds are great in bull markets, painful in bear markets.

Sharpe Ratio (Risk-Adjusted Return)

Measures how much return you're getting per unit of risk.

• Sharpe ratio > 1: Good (high return for the risk taken).
• Sharpe ratio \< 0.5: Poor (too much risk for too little return).

Example:

• Fund A: 12% return, Sharpe ratio 1.5 → Excellent.
• Fund B: 12% return, Sharpe ratio 0.4 → Avoid (too volatile for the return).

Find these metrics on Value Research, Morningstar, or within factsheets.

👉 Tip: For NRIs who can't monitor daily, prioritize funds with Sharpe ratio >1 and beta \<1.2. These offer better risk-adjusted returns.

Also Read -Best Mutual Funds for NRIs to Invest in India

Step 8: Tax Efficiency-Pick Funds That Minimize Your Tax Burden

We covered taxation in depth in our NRI Mutual Fund Tax Guide, but here's how it affects fund selection.

Equity Funds Are More Tax-Efficient

• LTCG: 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh
• STCG: 20%

Debt Funds Are Taxed at Slab Rate

Post-April 2023, all debt fund gains are added to your income and taxed at 5–30% depending on your slab.

For NRIs with no other Indian income, debt funds can still be tax-efficient because the first ₹3 lakh is exempt, and the next ₹4 lakh is taxed at just 5%.

Growth Plans vs Dividend Plans

• Growth plans: Gains are taxed only when you redeem. More tax-efficient.
• Dividend plans: Dividends face 20% TDS (reducible to 10% with UAE TRC), making growth plans the smarter, tax-efficient pick."

Always choose growth plans.

Index Funds for Tax Simplicity

Index funds have low turnover (they don't buy/sell stocks frequently), which means lower embedded capital gains. This makes them more tax-predictable.

Step 9: Repatriability-Ensure You Can Bring Your Money Back

This is critical. Not all investments are equally easy to repatriate.

NRE Account: Fully Repatriable

If you invest mutual funds through an NRE account:

• Both principal and gains are fully repatriable.
• No $1 million cap.
• No Form 15CA/15CB paperwork.

Recommendation: Always use NRE accounts for mutual funds you plan to bring back to the UAE.

NRO Account: Limited Repatriation

If you invest through an NRO account:

• Repatriation capped at $1 million per financial year.
• Requires Form 15CA and 15CB (CA certificate) for larger amounts.
• More paperwork, potential delays.

Use NRO only if:

• You're earning rental income in India and parking it in NRO.
• You're investing for goals within India (no need to repatriate).

Learn the full process: NRI Repatriation Rules.

👉 Tip: If you're unsure about your future (might return to India, might stay in UAE), use NRE. It keeps your options open. (But note: banks may request source-of-funds proof for large NRE transfers to comply with FEMA.)

Step 10: SIP vs Lump Sum-Match Investment Style to the Fund Type

Your choice of SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) or lump sum should align with the fund's risk profile.

When to Use SIP

• Volatile funds: Mid-cap, small-cap, sectoral funds. SIP averages out cost and reduces timing risk.
• Long-term goals: SIPs work best over 5+ years. Rupee cost averaging smooths volatility.
• Building discipline: Automates investing, prevents emotional decisions.

Example: SIPing ₹10,000/month into a mid-cap fund for 10 years can build a significant corpus while reducing downside risk.

Also Read - Best SIP Options for NRIs – Step by Step Guide

When to Use Lump Sum

• Low-volatility funds: Debt funds, liquid funds, arbitrage funds.
• Market corrections: If Nifty has fallen 15–20%, lump sum can capture the upside.
• Short-term goals: If you need the money in 1–3 years, lump sum in debt funds makes sense.

Example: Lump sum of ₹5 lakh in a short-duration debt fund for your child's school fees in 2 years-safe and predictable.

Hybrid Approach

Most NRIs at Belong use a combination:

• 70% via SIP (equity funds)
• 30% lump sum (debt or balanced funds, or deployed during corrections)

This balances discipline with opportunism.

Step 11: Check Exit Load and Lock-In Period

Exit load is a penalty for redeeming units too early.

Typical Exit Loads

• Equity funds: 1% if redeemed within 1 year. Zero after 1 year.
• Debt funds: 0.25–0.5% if redeemed within 3–6 months. Zero after that.
• ELSS (tax-saving funds): 3-year lock-in. No exit load after 3 years, but you can't redeem before.

Why It Matters

If you might need liquidity within a year, avoid ELSS or funds with high exit loads. Choose liquid funds or ultra-short funds instead.

👉 Tip: Don't invest in ELSS as an NRI unless you're absolutely sure you won't need the money for 3 years. The Section 80C tax benefit doesn't apply to NRIs, so there's no upside to the lock-in.

Step 12: Diversify, But Don't Over-Diversify

Diversification reduces risk, but too much diversification dilutes returns and creates tracking hell.

How Many Funds Should You Hold?

Optimal portfolio for most NRIs:

• 1–2 large-cap or index funds (core, 40–50% of equity allocation)
• 1 flexi-cap or multi-cap fund (20–30%)
• 1 mid-cap or small-cap fund (10–20%, only if high risk tolerance)
• 1 debt fund (20–30% for stability)

Total: 3–5 funds.

Holding 15+ funds creates overlap (many funds hold the same stocks), makes rebalancing a nightmare, and provides no additional benefit.

Avoid Overlap

If you hold 3 large-cap funds, chances are they all own Reliance, HDFC Bank, and Infosys. That's not diversification-that's duplication.

Use overlap tools on Value Research or Morningstar to check.

👉 Tip: Start with a Nifty 50 index fund + a flexi-cap fund + a short-duration debt fund. That's a solid 3-fund portfolio for most NRIs.

Step 13: Read the Factsheet and Scheme Information Document (SID)

Every fund publishes a monthly factsheet and a detailed SID. Most investors skip these. Don't.

What to Look For in the Factsheet

1. Top 10 holdings: Which stocks or bonds does the fund own? Do you understand these companies?

2. Sector allocation: Is 40% in one sector (e.g., IT or banking)? That's concentration risk.

3. Fund manager commentary: What's the manager's outlook? Are they optimistic or cautious?

4. Expense ratio: Confirm it's competitive.

5. AUM and fund age: Verify stability.

Red Flags in Factsheets

• More than 30% in a single sector (high risk).
• Frequent fund manager changes (instability).
• Consistent underperformance vs benchmark for 2+ years.
• Very high churn ratio (>100% means the manager is trading too much-sign of lack of conviction).

Download factsheets from the AMC's website or Value Research.

Step 14: Use Fund Ratings-But Don't Rely on Them Blindly

Rating agencies like Morningstar, Value Research, and CRISIL rate funds on a 5-star scale.

How Ratings Work

• 5 stars: Top 10% of funds in the category.
• 4 stars: Next 22.5%.
• 3 stars: Middle 35%.
• 2 stars and 1 star: Bottom performers.

Pros of Ratings

• Quick filter to shortlist funds.
• Based on quantitative analysis (returns, risk, consistency).

Cons of Ratings

• Backward-looking: Based on past performance, not future potential.
• Category-specific: A 5-star small-cap fund might be riskier than a 3-star large-cap fund.
• Change frequently: A 5-star fund today might be 3-star next year.

Use ratings as a starting point, not the final decision.

👉 Tip: Combine ratings with your own checks-expense ratio, fund manager tenure, AUM, and alignment with your goals.

Step 15: Test Your Risk Tolerance Before You Invest

This is the most skipped step-and the most important.

The Drawdown Test

Imagine you invest ₹10 lakh today. Six months later, it's worth ₹7 lakh (30% loss).

Ask yourself:

• Will I panic and sell?
• Will I hold and keep SIPing?
• Will I increase my SIP to buy cheaper?

If your answer is "panic and sell," you're not ready for equity funds. Stick to balanced or debt funds.

Risk Tolerance Varies by Age and Goals

Use our Compliance Compass to assess your risk profile and get personalized fund recommendations.

Common Mistakes NRIs Make When Choosing Mutual Funds

1. Chasing Last Year's Top Performers

A fund that delivered 25% last year might do 5% this year. Markets rotate. Last year's winners are often this year's laggards.

Solution: Look at 5-year and 10-year rolling returns, not 1-year spikes.

2. Ignoring Expense Ratios

Paying 2% when you could pay 0.5% costs you lakhs over 20 years.

Solution: Always choose direct plans and low-cost index funds where possible.

3. Investing Without Clear Goals

"I want to invest" is not a goal. "I need ₹50 lakh in 10 years for my daughter's foreign education" is a goal.

Solution: Write down your goals before you pick a single fund.

4. Over-Diversification

Holding 20 funds doesn't reduce risk-it creates confusion and tracking hell.

Solution: 3–5 funds are enough for most NRIs.

5. Not Rebalancing Annually

If equity rallies 40% and debt stays flat, your 70:30 portfolio becomes 85:15. You're now taking more risk than planned.

Solution: Rebalance once a year-sell from winners, buy into losers to restore your target allocation.

6. Stopping SIPs During Market Crashes

This is the worst mistake. A 30% market fall means you're buying units 30% cheaper.

Solution: Automate SIPs and commit to never stopping, no matter what the market does.

Also Read - Can NRIs Continue SIPs After Moving Abroad?

How to Start: A Practical 7-Day Action Plan

Here's how to go from overwhelmed to invested in one week.

Day 1–2: Define your goals. Write down what you need, when you need it, and how much risk you can take.

Day 3: Open an NRE account if you don't have one. Complete KYC for mutual funds via video call.

Day 4: Shortlist 5–7 funds using Value Research or the Belong app. Apply the checklist:

• 5-year returns > benchmark
• Expense ratio \< 1%
• AUM > ₹1,000 crore
• Fund manager tenure > 3 years
• Sharpe ratio > 1

Day 5: Check overlap using Value Research's portfolio tool. Remove duplicates. Narrow to 3–4 funds.

Day 6: Set up SIPs. Start small (₹5,000–₹10,000/month). You can increase later. Set up auto-debit from your NRE account.

Day 7: Automate monthly AED-to-INR transfers using Wise or your bank. Set reminders to review your portfolio every 6 months.

Done. You're now an investor.

Real Case Study: Ramesh from Abu Dhabi-How He Built a ₹45 Lakh Corpus

Ramesh, 37, works in Abu Dhabi as a project manager. In 2019, he wanted to start investing in Indian mutual funds but was paralyzed by choice.

His situation:

• Goal: Build ₹50 lakh in 10 years for his son's foreign education.
• Risk tolerance: Moderate (could handle 20% drawdowns, but not 40%).
• Time available: Almost none (12-hour workdays).

What he did (with Belong's help):

• Opened an NRE account with ICICI Bank online.
• Completed video KYC on Kuvera.
• Selected 3 funds:
  
• HDFC Index Fund - Nifty 50 Plan (Direct): ₹15,000/month SIP
• Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund (Direct): ₹10,000/month SIP
• HDFC Short Term Debt Fund (Direct): ₹5,000/month SIP
• Set up auto-debit and automated AED-to-INR transfers via Wise.

Result after 5 years (October 2024):

• Total invested: ₹18 lakh
• Current corpus: ₹27.8 lakh
• Absolute return: 54% (XIRR ~11.5%)

Ramesh is on track to hit ₹50 lakh by 2029. He checks his portfolio once every 6 months and hasn't changed his SIPs even during the 2020 COVID crash (when his portfolio dropped 35% in March 2020).

He tracks everything on the Belong app and is an active member of our WhatsApp community, where he shares tips with other NRIs.

Tools from Belong to Help You Choose the Right Funds

1. NRI FD Comparison Tool

Before committing to equity mutual funds, compare fixed deposit rates to understand your low-risk baseline. Compare NRE, NRO, FCNR, and GIFT City FD rates.

2. GIFT City Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

If you're a high-net-worth investor (₹1 crore+), explore GIFT City AIFs-tax-free, USD-denominated, and fully repatriable.

3. Residential Status Calculator

Your tax status (NRI, RNOR, Resident) affects fund selection and tax liability. Check your status in 2 minutes.

4. Compliance Compass

Stay on top of RBI, FEMA, and tax filing requirements. Use Compliance Compass to ensure your mutual fund investments remain compliant.

5. GIFT Nifty Live Tracker

Track Indian equity markets in real-time, even outside Indian trading hours. Useful for timing your SIP increases. Track GIFT Nifty.

6. Rupee vs Dollar Monitor

Monitor INR/AED and INR/USD trends to understand currency risk on your mutual fund returns. Track currency movements.

Final Checklist: Is This Fund Right for You?

Before you invest, run through this checklist:

Goal alignment: Does the fund's risk and return profile match my goal's time horizon?

Historical performance: Has it beaten its benchmark over 5+ years?

Expense ratio: Is it below 1% for equity, below 0.5% for index funds?

AUM: Is it between ₹500 crore and ₹20,000 crore (depending on category)?

Fund manager: Has the current manager been there for 3+ years?

Tax efficiency: Is it equity-oriented (for LTCG benefit) or debt (which I'll hold in low-income years)?

Repatriability: Am I investing through an NRE account for full repatriation?

Risk tolerance: Can I handle a 20–30% drawdown without panicking?

Diversification: Does this fund overlap with my existing holdings?

Exit load and lock-in: Am I comfortable with the liquidity terms?

If you can tick 8 out of 10, go ahead. If not, keep looking.

Take the Next Step: Start Small, Stay Consistent

The perfect mutual fund doesn't exist. But a good-enough fund, invested in consistently for 10+ years, will build serious wealth.

Stop waiting for the perfect time. Stop trying to predict markets. Stop overthinking.

Pick 2–3 funds using this checklist. Start a SIP-even if it's just ₹5,000/month. Automate it. Forget about it for 6 months. Then check, rebalance if needed, and keep going.

Over time, compounding will do the heavy lifting. Your job is to not interfere.

Join the Belong Community

You don't have to do this alone. Join 5,000+ NRIs in our WhatsApp community where we discuss fund recommendations, tax strategies, market updates, and life as an NRI investor. Ask questions. Share experiences. Learn from peers.

Download the Belong app to:

• Compare mutual fund returns and expense ratios
• Track your portfolio in real-time
• Get personalized fund recommendations based on your goals
• Monitor currency movements (INR/AED, INR/USD)
• Access tax-smart investment options in GIFT City

Explore GIFT City opportunities: GIFT City Investments for NRIs.

Belong is where global Indians belong. Let's build your financial future together.

Sources

Reserve Bank of Indiahttps://www.rbi.org.in/

Income Tax Departmenthttps://www.incometax.gov.in/

Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) - Regular and Direct Mutual Funds

RBI Reference Rate Archive

RBI FAQs on Accounts by Non-Residents

Finance Act 2025 Highlights

Income tax Act Web - FAQs on Capital Gains

Income Tax India - Tax on Capital Gain PDF

Income Tax India -DTAA Tax Rates

PwC UAE Tax Summary