A Saudi Arabia-based NRI can invest in an Indian company or LLP on a repatriation basis, treated as foreign investment with pricing and reporting rules, or on a non-repatriation basis, treated like domestic money. We check the business, negotiate an agreement that protects you while you are in the Kingdom and ensure FEMA filings so that your money and profits can later come back.
- Document route
- Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Saudi time all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- FEMA 1999 and NDI Rules 2019
- Routes
- Repatriable (Schedule 1) or non-repatriable (Schedule 4)
Legal Advisory for NRI Investors from Saudi Arabia: how it works
We discuss your goals and the business and recommend a route. Due diligence covers the company's filings, capital history, charges, litigation, tax compliance and ownership of key assets and licences. Where the business is run by a relative as a proprietorship, we advise converting it into a company or LLP first, so that your capital is reflected in shares or partnership interest rather than informal promises.
Your protections go into a shareholders agreement and articles: monthly accounts, consent for new share issues and borrowing, a board or observer seat with video meetings, pre-emption and exit rights, and arbitration seated in India with online hearings. Repatriable money comes from Saudi Arabia by bank remittance or from your NRE account, and the company files Form FC-GPR. We then stay on as your legal contact, reviewing annual accounts and any proposal for new shares, so that your stake is protected even though you are thousands of kilometres away.
What clients in Saudi Arabia should know
- Money sent informally to a relative to invest for you creates proof problems later; invest in your own name with documents.
- Investment in agriculture, plantations and real estate business is barred for NRIs on either route.
- Dividends from Indian companies are taxed in India and not taxed in Saudi Arabia for individuals.
Step by step from Saudi Arabia
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Saudi Arabia, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Saudi Arabia
Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Saudi Arabia where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Saudi Arabia. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Legal Advisory for NRI Investors, or see all services for clients in Saudi Arabia and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Saudi Arabia
Can I invest in my brother's shop?
On a non-repatriation basis, yes, but a company or LLP structure gives far better protection.
Can I be a director while working in Riyadh?
Yes, with a DIN and digital signature; meetings can be attended by video.
What reports does the company file?
For repatriable investment, Form FC-GPR within 30 days and the annual foreign liabilities and assets return.