Primary keywords: Indian Investors Gain Access to Global Stocks Through Gift City IFSC Platforms for Fractional Trading

Indian investors can access global stocks such as Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, and Microsoft through GIFT City. This route avoids using a foreign brokerage account. Trading takes place under clearer processes, with overseas exposure still available. Investors can buy and sell international shares using approved IFSC platforms, after completing KYC and funding in US dollars.

Access is offered either through the NSE International Exchange Global Access app or via IFSC-linked broker platforms. Options include INDMoney, Zerodha IFSC, and HDFC Securities IFSC. Once an account is created, investors can place orders for international stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Fractional buying is also available for smaller ticket sizes.

To open access, investors upload PAN and Aadhaar details for verification. Investors also complete FATCA or CRS declarations and tax residency details. The process includes digitally filling the W-8BEN form. This form supports treaty benefits on dividends. It also helps reduce the default withholding rate used by US systems.

Funding is done through outward remittance under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Investors transfer US dollars using net banking or a bank branch. The LRS limit is $250,000 per financial year. The RBI purpose code must be used as "Investment in overseas securities". Funds show in the platform wallet after remittance clearance.

Tax Collected at Source applies when total outward remittances cross Rs 7 lakh in one financial year. The rate is 20% on the amount above that threshold. Investors can later claim eligible credit while filing an income tax return. This cost is separate from market gains or dividend treatment on investments.

After funds reflect in the dashboard, investors can trade without buying a full share. Value-based fractional orders can start from $10. Trading via GIFT City is exempt from domestic STT, GST, and stamp duties. US market hours are followed, which are 7:00 PM to 1:30 AM IST.

Capital gains treatment differs across jurisdictions. The US does not charge capital gains tax on US stock sales by non-residents. GIFT City does not levy tax on gains from selling Unsponsored Depository Receipts. Indian residents still pay tax under Indian rules. Holding period decides long-term or short-term rates.

Area	Rule stated in the content
India tax on gains	Long-term (over 2 years): 12.5% LTCG. Short-term (2 years or less): income tax slab.
Dividend withholding	US deducts 25% on dividends from UDRs. HDFC IFSC charges 10% service fee on the remaining amount.
Dividend example	A $10 dividend becomes $6.75 after deductions.
Double taxation relief	Dividend income is taxed in India as per slab. India-US DTAA may allow credit for US tax paid.

GIFT City, short for Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, sits along the Sabarmati River in Gujarat. It operates as an international financial hub for cross-border business activity. The project is split into a Multi-Services Special Economic Zone for international business and a Domestic Tariff Area for domestic activity.

Regulation in GIFT City is handled by one body, the International Financial Services Centres Authority. This structure reduces the need to deal separately with the RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI for IFSC activity. The aim is to bring some overseas financial operations back under an Indian framework with a single regulator.

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