How GIFT City Compares With UK Investment Products (ISA, SIPPs, Brokerage Accounts)

After 15 years in London, Amit had maxed out his ISA every year. When he discovered GIFT City, he realised there was another tax-efficient option he'd been missing-one specifically designed for NRIs like him.

If you're a UK-based NRI juggling investments between both countries, this comparison will help you understand where each product fits in your portfolio.

The Quick Comparison

Before diving deep, here's what you need to know at a glance:

UK ISA: The Basics for NRIs

The Individual Savings Account remains the UK's most popular tax shelter. For the 2025/26 tax year, you can invest up to £20,000 across all ISA types-Cash ISA, Stocks and Shares ISA, and Lifetime ISA (capped at £4,000). (Source: Hargreaves Lansdown)

Key tax benefits:

• No UK income tax on interest or dividends
• No capital gains tax on profits
• No need to declare ISA income on tax returns

The catch for NRIs: Once you leave the UK, you cannot contribute to your ISA anymore. You keep existing holdings, but the account becomes dormant for new contributions. (Source: Morningstar UK)

What happens when you return to India? This is where it gets complicated. Unlike UK pensions, ISAs have no special protection under the India-UK DTAA. Once you become an Indian tax resident, your ISA income becomes fully taxable in India as "foreign income."

👉 Tip: If you're planning to return to India, consider whether keeping a dormant ISA makes sense versus liquidating during your RNOR period when foreign income remains tax-free.

UK SIPP: Powerful but Locked

Self-Invested Personal Pensions offer the highest contribution limits and best tax relief. For 2025/26, you can contribute up to £60,000 annually (or 100% of earnings, whichever is lower). (Source: Aviva)

Tax relief is substantial:

• Basic rate taxpayers: 20% relief (contribute £80, get £100 in pension)
• Higher rate taxpayers: 40% relief via Self Assessment
• Additional rate taxpayers: 45% relief via Self Assessment

(Source: AJ Bell)

The downside: Your money is locked until age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028). And while 25% can be withdrawn tax-free, the rest is taxed as income.

For NRIs returning to India: UK pensions often receive favourable treatment under the India-UK DTAA. Private pensions are typically taxed only in your country of residence. Some NRIs transfer their UK pension to India via QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) for better flexibility.

UK Brokerage Accounts: Flexible but Taxable

General Investment Accounts (GIAs) have no contribution limits-you can invest as much as you want. But every gain is potentially taxable.

Current UK tax rates (2025/26):

(Source: GOV.UK)

November 2025 Budget changes: From April 2026, dividend tax rates increase by 2% to 10.75% (ordinary) and 35.75% (upper rate). Savings income tax also increases by 2% from April 2027. (Source: Farrer & Co)

For active traders, these taxes compound quickly. A £50,000 gain above your allowance could cost you £11,280 in CGT at the higher rate.

GIFT City: The NRI-Specific Alternative

GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) operates as India's first International Financial Services Centre. Unlike UK products designed for UK residents, GIFT City is built specifically for NRIs and foreign investors.

Current USD Fixed Deposit rates (as of November 2025):

(Source: SBI GIFT City)

Tax advantages:

• Interest income is completely tax-free in India-no TDS
• Transactions exempt from STT, CTT, and stamp duty
• No GST on services within IFSC

(Source: SBNRI)

Currency protection: Unlike NRE FDs that force conversion to rupees, GIFT City lets you hold deposits in USD, GBP, EUR, and other currencies. When the rupee depreciates (it's fallen from ₹43/$ to ₹86/$ over 20 years), your dollar-denominated savings maintain value.

Compare rates across all GIFT City banks using our NRI FD Comparison Tool.

Head-to-Head: Where Each Product Wins

Choose UK ISA when:

• You're currently UK tax resident
• You want flexible access to funds
• You're investing in UK/global equities for growth

Choose UK SIPP when:

• You're a higher-rate UK taxpayer wanting maximum tax relief
• You don't need the money before age 55/57
• You're building long-term retirement savings

Choose UK Brokerage when:

• You've maxed ISA and SIPP allowances
• You need flexible access without contribution limits
• You're comfortable managing tax obligations

Choose GIFT City when:

• You're an NRI wanting tax-free returns in foreign currency
• You want protection against rupee depreciation
• You need easy repatriation of funds
• You're planning to eventually return to India

The Real-World Scenario

Consider Priya, a UK NRI earning £80,000 annually:

UK allocation:

• ISA: £20,000 (maxed)-tax-free growth in UK equities
• SIPP: £20,000 contribution (£16,000 net cost after 40% relief)-locked until 57

GIFT City allocation:

• $30,000 USD FD at 4%-tax-free in India, DTAA protection in UK
• Provides currency diversification and easy access

This split gives her tax efficiency in both jurisdictions, currency diversification, and flexibility for different life scenarios.

👉 Tip: Many UK NRIs overlook GIFT City investments because they're focused on UK products. But if you're planning to return to India eventually, building GIFT City holdings during your NRI years creates a smooth transition.

What About Risk?

UK ISA/SIPP: Market-linked. Your Stocks and Shares ISA can lose value. FSCS protects up to £85,000 per institution for cash holdings.

GIFT City FDs: Capital-protected fixed deposits. Not covered by RBI deposit insurance, but regulated by IFSCA with major banks like HDFC, ICICI, and SBI operating IBUs.

For risk-averse NRIs, GIFT City FDs offer predictable, tax-free returns without market volatility-something neither UK Cash ISAs (lower rates) nor Stocks and Shares ISAs (market risk) can match.

Your Next Step

The right mix depends on your timeline, tax situation, and whether India features in your future plans.

At Belong, we help UK NRIs navigate these choices every day. Our team-Savitri, Sai, and I-understands both UK and Indian financial systems.

Start by comparing current GIFT City FD rates against what your UK bank offers. The difference might surprise you.

Join our WhatsApp community where UK NRIs discuss investment strategies across both countries.

Ready to explore GIFT City? Download the Belong app to open a USD fixed deposit with tax-free returns.

Sources:

• Hargreaves Lansdown - ISA Allowance 2025/26
• Aviva - SIPP Tax Relief and Allowances
• GOV.UK - Capital Gains Tax Rates
• AJ Bell - SIPP Allowances
• SBI GIFT City - Interest Rates
• Farrer & Co - UK Budget 2025 Analysis
• SBNRI - GIFT City FD Comparison