This is an AI-Powered Research Query Builder. It collects your investment preferences through a smart form, then generates a precisely structured prompt for Claude AI. When you paste that prompt into claude.ai, Claude searches 20+ live financial data sources and returns structured data. This tool then instantly renders that data into a professional 10–16 tab research report — no coding needed.
Choose from Stock, ETF, Mutual Fund, Bond, Commodity, or Currency. Each asset type generates a completely different AI query tailored to that class — up to 16 data tabs.
Select the market (India, US, Japan, Global) and drill down to specific sub-types. For Commodities: Category → Specific item. For Gold/Silver: choose Physical or Digital for a specialised platform comparison report.
Type the full official name — e.g. "Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund — Direct Growth" or "RELIANCE" or "Apple Inc (AAPL)". For MF FOFs, the AI automatically pulls the underlying ETF list.
Choose: Indian Resident, NRI (NRE/NRO), Japan Resident (NISA sub-selection), or Others. This controls STCG/LTCG rates, TDS rates, NISA eligibility, and DTAA treaty notes in your report.
Short (<1Y), Medium (1–3Y), Long (3–5Y), Very Long (5Y+). Shapes forecast targets, determines STCG vs LTCG, and adjusts the verdict section.
Select currency and enter amount. Used only for Conservative/Moderate/Aggressive allocation guidance in the Verdict tab. Never stored or transmitted.
Tool builds the structured prompt and auto-switches to the "Copy AI Query" tab. The query includes all field instructions for 10–16 report tabs.
Click "Copy Full Query" → open claude.ai → new conversation → paste → send. Claude searches live data and streams structured "Field: Value" data (not HTML code). Takes 1–4 minutes.
Select all of Claude's response → copy → go to "Paste & Render" tab → paste → click "Render Report". The full styled research report appears in seconds.
Click Download HTML for a standalone offline file. Click Export PDF to print or save via browser print dialog. HTML export is fully self-contained — no internet needed to view it.
| Market | Main Exchanges | Key Indices | Trading Hours (IST) | Currency | Min Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | NSE, BSE | Nifty 50, Sensex, Nifty Next 50 | 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM | INR (₹) | ~₹10 (1 share) |
| 🇺🇸 US | NYSE, NASDAQ | S&P 500, Dow Jones, NASDAQ 100 | 7:00 PM – 1:30 AM | USD ($) | $1 (fractional) |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | TSE (Tokyo), OSE | Nikkei 225, TOPIX, JPX-Nikkei 400 | 5:30 AM – 11:30 AM | JPY (¥) | ~¥3,000 (100 share lot) |
| 🌐 Global | LSE, SGX, HKEX | FTSE 100, STI, Hang Seng | Varies | Local currency | Varies |
Select a SEBI-registered stockbroker. Discount brokers (Zerodha, Dhan, Groww) charge ₹0–₹20/trade. Full-service brokers (ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities) charge more but offer advisory services.
For NRIs also: Passport, Overseas Address Proof, PIS Letter from bank.
Visit broker's website → Fill application form → Upload PAN + Aadhaar → Complete Aadhaar-based OTP verification (DigiLocker) → Submit bank proof → Take selfie/live photo.
Add your primary bank account via IFSC code. This is used for fund transfers. Most brokers support UPI, NEFT, and IMPS for adding money to your trading account.
CDSL or NSDL (depositories) activates your Demat account. You'll receive your DP ID and Client ID. Login credentials sent via email. Fund your account and start investing.
| Feature | Direct Stocks | Mutual Funds | ETFs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | Self-managed | Professional manager | Index (passive) |
| Minimum Investment | 1 share (~₹10+) | ₹500 SIP | 1 unit (~₹10–500) |
| Diversification | Low (need 15+ stocks) | High (50–100+ stocks) | High (tracks index) |
| Cost (Expense) | Brokerage only | TER 0.1–2%/yr | TER 0.05–0.5%/yr |
| Research Required | High | Low | Very Low |
| Demat Account | Required | Not required (direct) | Required |
| Return Potential | Highest (if right picks) | Market returns ± alpha | Market returns exactly |
| Risk | Company-specific risk | Market risk only | Market risk only |
| Liquidity | Instant (market hours) | T+1 to T+3 days | Instant (market hours) |
| Tax (LTCG >1Y) | 12.5% | 12.5% (equity) | 12.5% (equity) |
| Best For | Research-savvy investors | Most retail investors | Passive, low-cost wealth |
| Category | Sub-Type | Risk | Expected Returns | Ideal Horizon | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Cap Equity | Top 100 companies by mkt cap | Medium-High | 10–13% CAGR | 5Y+ | Core equity portfolio |
| Mid Cap Equity | 101st–250th companies | High | 12–16% CAGR | 7Y+ | Growth allocation |
| Small Cap Equity | 251st+ companies | Very High | 14–20% CAGR | 10Y+ | Aggressive long-term |
| Flexi Cap | Any cap size, manager decides | Medium-High | 11–15% CAGR | 5Y+ | Balanced equity exposure |
| ELSS (Tax Saving) | Equity + Section 80C benefit | High | 11–15% CAGR | 3Y+ (lock-in) | Tax saving + equity growth |
| Index Fund | Tracks Nifty 50 / Sensex | Medium | 10–12% CAGR | 5Y+ | Low-cost passive investing |
| Multi Asset | Equity + debt + gold | Medium | 9–12% CAGR | 3–5Y | One-fund diversification |
| Debt MF — Short Duration | Bonds <3Y maturity | Low | 6–8% p.a. | 1–3Y | Better than FD post-tax |
| Liquid Fund | Overnight/T-bills | Very Low | 6–7% p.a. | 1 day – 3M | Emergency fund parking |
| Gold Fund / FOF | Invests in Gold ETF | Medium | 8–12% CAGR | 5Y+ | Gold without demat account |
| International Fund | US, Global, Japan equity | Medium-High | 10–15% CAGR (USD) | 5Y+ | Geographic diversification |
| Feature | Direct Plan | Regular Plan |
|---|---|---|
| TER (Expense Ratio) | 0.1–1% lower (no commission) | 0.5–2.5% (includes distributor commission) |
| NAV | Always Higher | Always Lower |
| Same Fund/Portfolio? | Yes — identical stocks, same fund manager, same securities | |
| Where to Buy | AMC website, Kuvera, Groww Direct, INDmoney | Banks, distributors, agents, MF apps with commission |
| Returns Impact | ₹10L for 20Y at 12%: ₹96.4L | ₹10L for 20Y at 11%: ₹80.6L |
| Difference | ₹15.8 Lakh difference on ₹10L over 20 years from just 1% TER | |
| Advisory Support | None (DIY) | Distributor/advisor support |
| Verdict | ✅ Always choose Direct | Only if advisor adds real value |
KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all MF investments in India. It's a one-time process — once done, it's valid across all AMCs and MF platforms.
For Direct Plans: Use Kuvera (free, no commission), AMC websites directly, INDmoney, or Groww (select Direct). For Regular: Banks, NJ Wealth, MFD/distributors.
Search for the fund → Select Direct Growth plan (never Dividend/IDCW for wealth building) → Choose SIP (monthly) or Lumpsum → Enter amount → Set SIP date (1st–28th of month).
Link your bank account and set up NACH (auto-debit) for SIP. Bank debits your account automatically on SIP date. One-time bank mandate setup.
Check NAV performance vs benchmark. Review fund rolling returns vs category average. Consider increasing SIP by 10% every April. Don't panic during market falls — SIP works best in volatile markets (rupee-cost averaging).
A SIP invests a fixed amount (e.g. ₹5,000/month) into a mutual fund on a set date every month, regardless of market levels. When markets are down, you buy more units at a lower price. When markets are up, you buy fewer units at a higher price. Over time, this averages out your cost (rupee-cost averaging) and removes the stress of timing the market.
| NISA Type (2024 onwards) | Annual Limit | Eligible Products | Best Funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsumitate 枠 (積立投資枠) | ¥1,200,000/yr | SEBI-approved investment trusts & ETFs only | eMAXIS Slim All-Country, eMAXIS Slim S&P500 |
| Seichō 枠 (成長投資枠) | ¥2,400,000/yr | Listed stocks, ETFs, most investment trusts | Any TSE-listed stocks, TOPIX ETF, US stock ETFs |
| Combined Annual Limit | ¥3,600,000/yr | Unused annual limit does NOT carry forward. Use it or lose it. | |
| Lifetime Limit | ¥18,000,000 | Per person. When you sell NISA investments, the cost basis limit gets freed up (can re-invest up to lifetime cap). | |
Best options: SBI証券 (SBI Securities) — most NISA funds, English support. 楽天証券 (Rakuten Securities) — linked to Rakuten Pay & Rakuten Card for extra points. マネックス証券 (Monex) — good US stock access.
All document verification is done digitally — no branch visit needed at most online brokers.
Go to the broker's website → Click 口座開設 (Open Account) → Select NISA account type → Upload My Number Card photo → Fill personal information → Select Special Tax Account (特定口座 源泉徴収あり) alongside NISA.
Tax office confirms only one NISA per person nationwide. Approval letter arrives by post or via app notification. Login credentials sent separately.
Go to 投資信託 (Investment Trust) section → Search for fund (e.g. "eMAXIS Slim オールカントリー") → Click 積立購入 → Set monthly amount → Set debit date → Link bank via 振替 (bank transfer) → Activate. You can start from ¥100/month.
| Mode | Physical Gold | Digital Gold | Gold ETF | Gold MF (FOF) | SGB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Investment | ₹4,000+ (0.5g) | ₹1 | ~₹65 (1 unit) | ₹500 SIP | ~₹5,900 (1g) |
| Storage | Locker/home | Platform vault | CDSL demat | AMC | RBI / digital |
| Storage Cost | Locker rent | 0.5–1%/yr | TER ~0.5% | TER ~0.8% | Zero |
| Interest/Income | None | None | None | None | 2.5%/yr |
| SEBI Regulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | RBI |
| Tax LTCG (>2Y) | 12.5% (no index) | 12.5% (no index) | Slab rate | Slab rate | 0% (maturity) |
| Demat Needed | No | No | Yes | No | Optional |
| Physical Delivery | Already physical | Can convert | Cannot | Cannot | Cannot |
| Verdict | For jewellery use | Small SIP amounts | Demat holders | No demat holders | Best overall |
| REIT | Ticker | Asset Type | Properties / Area | Approx Yield | Major Tenants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy Office Parks REIT | EMBASSY | Office Parks | 45 MSF across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, NCR | ~6.5–7.5% | Google, JP Morgan, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco |
| Mindspace Business Parks REIT | MINDSPACE | Office Parks | 32 MSF across Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai | ~7–8% | Accenture, Qualcomm, Facebook, Barclays |
| Brookfield India REIT | BIRET | Office Parks | 20 MSF across Mumbai, Gurugram, Noida, Kolkata | ~7–8.5% | Barclays, TCS, Cognizant, Bosch |
| Nexus Select Trust REIT | NEXUS | Retail Malls | 17 Grade-A malls across 14 cities | ~6–7% | H&M, Zara, Cinepolis, Starbucks |
| InvIT | Ticker | Asset Type | Portfolio | Approx Yield | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRB InvIT Fund | IRB | Toll Roads | 7 operational NHAI toll highways across India | ~9–11% | IRB Infrastructure (private) |
| IndiGrid InvIT | INDIGRID | Power Transmission | Electric transmission lines — 7,570+ circuit km | ~11–13% | Sterlite Power (KKR backed) |
| PowerGrid InvIT | POWERGRID | Power Transmission | 5 inter-state transmission projects — CERC regulated | ~11–12% | Power Grid Corporation of India (Govt PSU) |
| National Highways InvIT | NHAI | Highways | NHAI-sponsored toll roads across 7 projects | ~9–10% | National Highways Authority of India (Govt) |
| Bharat Highways InvIT | BHARAT | Toll Roads + Hybrid Annuity | 8 road assets across India | ~9–10% | NHAI / Private developers |
| Feature | REIT | InvIT | Direct Property | Real Estate Stocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Investment | ~₹300–400 (1 unit) | ~₹100–300 (1 unit) | ₹50L–5 Cr+ | ₹1 (1 share) |
| Income Yield | 6–8% p.a. | 9–13% p.a. | 2–4% gross rental | 0–1% dividend |
| Capital Growth | 4–6% p.a. | 3–5% p.a. | 5–8% p.a. | 10–15% p.a. |
| Liquidity | Instant (exchange) | Instant (exchange) | 3–12 months | Instant |
| Management | Professional | Professional | DIY landlord | Professional |
| Demat Required | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Tax on Distribution | Partial taxable (complex) | Partial taxable (complex) | Rental income at slab | 12.5% LTCG |
| Stamp Duty | None | None | 5–8% of property value | None |
| Risk Type | Vacancy + rate risk | Traffic + regulatory risk | Illiquidity + maintenance | Market + company risk |
| Best For | Income + moderate growth | High income seekers | Long-term wealth creation | Capital appreciation |
| Distribution Component | Tax Treatment | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Income Component | Taxed as income | Slab Rate | TDS 10% deducted by REIT/InvIT if you receive >₹5,000/year. Add to your income in ITR. |
| Dividend Component | Taxed as income | Slab Rate | Same as company dividends. Taxable in hands of investor at applicable slab rate. |
| Repayment of Debt / SPV Proceeds | Tax-Free | 0% | Return of capital — not treated as income. No tax. This is the most tax-efficient component. |
| Capital Gains on Unit Sale (STCG) | Short-term gains | 20% | If units held <36 months. Same as equity STCG post-Budget 2024. |
| Capital Gains on Unit Sale (LTCG) | Long-term gains | 12.5% | If units held >36 months. No exemption threshold (unlike equity's ₹1.25L). Budget 2024 rate. |
| NRI TDS on Distribution | TDS at source | 30% (interest), 20% (dividend) | NRIs face higher TDS on income components. File ITR to claim refund if actual tax is lower. DTAA may help. |
REITs and InvITs are listed on NSE/BSE and trade like stocks. You need a demat account. Use Zerodha, Dhan, or Groww. Minimum lot size is 1 unit on market (secondary market purchases).
On Zerodha Kite: Search "EMBASSY" / "MINDSPACE" / "INDIGRID" etc. → Select the NSE or BSE listed security → Check current unit price, 52W range, and last distribution yield → Place a CNC (Cash and Carry) order for delivery.
All India REITs and InvITs distribute quarterly. Check the REIT's distribution history on their investor relations website or on NSE. Set up bank mandate (ECS/NACH) with your broker to receive distributions directly in your bank account. The record date is usually announced 2–3 weeks before the distribution payment date.
Your broker will provide an annual Distribution Tax Statement showing the breakdown of each distribution into: Interest Income / Dividend / Return of Capital components. Use this to fill Schedule OS (Other Sources) and Schedule CG (Capital Gains) in ITR-2.
| Market | How to Access | Key ETFs | Tax for India Resident | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US REITs | US broker or International MF/ETF in India | VNQ (Vanguard REIT ETF), IYR (iShares US REIT) | Taxed as foreign equity — 20% flat or slab rate | USD-denominated income + global diversification |
| 🇯🇵 J-REITs | Japan brokerage (Zerodha Japan, SBI証券). NISA eligible. | 1343 (NF J-REIT ETF), 1699 (NEXT FUNDS J-REIT) | 20.315% in Japan (0% if held in NISA account) | JPY income, NISA tax-free treatment |
| 🌐 Global REIT ETF | India international MF or direct US ETF | VNQI (ex-US), REET (iShares Global REIT) | Slab rate (non-equity MF treatment) | Single fund global real estate exposure |
| Instrument | Yield Range | Safety | Liquidity | Capital Growth? | Tax Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏗️ InvIT (PowerGrid) | 11–12% | Very High (Govt PSU) | Exchange listed | Moderate | Partial tax-free (RoC component) |
| 🏢 REIT (Embassy) | 6.5–7.5% | High (Grade-A tenants) | Exchange listed | Good | Partial tax-free (RoC component) |
| 📜 AAA Corporate Bond | 7.5–9% | High | OTC / Unlisted | None (HTM) | Coupon at slab rate |
| 🏛️ NRE FD (SFB) | 8.5–9% | DICGC insured ₹5L | 5-yr lock-in penalty | None | Tax-free in India (NRI) |
| 🏦 Bank FD (SBI) | 6.5–7.5% | Very High | Premature penalty | None | Fully taxable at slab rate |
| 🏛️ SGB (Maturity) | 8–12%+ total | Sovereign (RBI) | 8-year tenure | Good (gold price) | Zero tax at maturity |
| Asset Type | Holding Period | STCG | LTCG | Indexation | Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏢 Equity Shares | 12 months | 20% | 12.5% | No | ₹1.25L/yr on LTCG |
| 🪙 Equity MF (Direct/Regular) | 12 months | 20% | 12.5% | No | ₹1.25L/yr (combined) |
| 📊 ETF (Equity) | 12 months | 20% | 12.5% | No | ₹1.25L/yr (combined) |
| 📜 Listed Bonds/NCDs | 12 months | Slab Rate | 12.5% | No | None |
| 📜 Unlisted Bonds | 24 months | Slab Rate | 12.5% | No | None |
| 🪙 Debt MF (post Apr 2023) | Any period | Slab Rate | Slab Rate | No | None (Budget 2023 change) |
| 🥇 Physical Gold/Silver | 24 months | Slab Rate | 12.5% | No | None (Budget 2024 removed) |
| 📱 Digital Gold/Silver | 24 months | Slab Rate | 12.5% | No | Same as physical gold |
| 📊 Gold ETF/Fund | Any | Slab Rate | Slab Rate | No | Non-equity MF treatment |
| 🏛️ Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) | 8 years (maturity) | Slab Rate | 0% (exempt) | N/A | Full exemption at maturity |
| 🏠 Residential Property | 24 months | Slab Rate | 12.5% | No | 54 exemption if reinvested |
| 💹 F&O Trading | Any | Business Income | Business Income | No | Expenses deductible |
| Income Type | TDS Rate | DTAA Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity LTCG (>12M) | 10% | May reduce with Form 10F + TRC | Deducted at source by broker |
| Equity STCG (<12M) | 20% | DTAA may apply | Auto-deducted by broker |
| Equity MF LTCG | 10% | DTAA may apply | AMC deducts at redemption |
| Debt MF / Non-equity | 30% | Limited | File ITR to claim refund if lower slab |
| NRE FD Interest | 0% (Tax-Free India) | N/A — tax-free | Taxable in country of residence |
| NRO FD Interest | 30% | Reduced 10–15% with DTAA | Submit Form 15CA/15CB for repatriation |
| Dividends (Stocks/MF) | 20% | Reduced 10–15% with DTAA | Submit TRC for DTAA benefit |
| Rent from Indian Property | 30% | Limited | Tenant must deduct and deposit TDS |
| Income Type | Standard Rate | NISA Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed Stocks / ETFs Japan | 20.315% | 0% (Tax-Free) | National tax 20% + Reconstruction 0.315% |
| Investment Trusts (MF) | 20.315% | 0% (Tax-Free) | On distributions and capital gains |
| Dividends (Japan stocks) | 20.315% | 0% (Tax-Free) | Withholding at source in 特定口座 |
| India Stocks/MF (overseas) | 20.315% | Not Eligible | Declare in 確定申告; foreign tax credit available |
| NRE FD Interest (India) | 20.315% | Not Eligible | Tax-free in India, taxable in Japan |
| F&O / Derivatives Japan | 20.315% | Not Eligible | Loss carryforward 3 years |
PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for all investments above ₹50,000. Apply online at NSDL/UTI PAN portal using Aadhaar. Get in 5–7 days. Free if applied via Aadhaar (instant e-PAN available).
One-time KYC valid across all AMCs. Do it online via CVL KRA or through any AMC/platform. Required documents:
Choose broker (Zerodha, Dhan, Groww) → Apply online → Submit PAN + Aadhaar OTP → Complete video IPV → Link bank account → Activate in 1–3 days. Note: Demat account has Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC) of ₹0–₹750/yr depending on broker.
Link your bank account to your trading/MF platform. Set up NACH mandate for SIP auto-debit. Keep UPI active for instant fund transfers. Most brokers support BHIM UPI for same-day fund credit.
For MF SIP: Kuvera (free, direct) → Search fund → Select Direct Growth → Set monthly SIP → Link bank → Activate.
For Stocks: Zerodha/Dhan → Add funds via UPI → Search stock → Place CNC (Cash 'n Carry) order for delivery.
For ETFs: Same as stocks — search ETF ticker (e.g. NIFTYBEES) → Buy via CNC.
| Broker | Equity Delivery | F&O/Intraday | MF | Best For | Demat AMC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Zerodha | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Direct MF | All-round best | ₹300/yr |
| 🔥 Dhan | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Direct MF | Active traders | ₹0 |
| 🟣 Groww | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Direct+Regular | Beginners | ₹0 |
| 🔵 Upstox | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Regular only | Research users | ₹150/yr |
| 🔴 ICICI Direct | 0.27% or ₹35 | 0.03–0.05% | Regular only | Advisory clients | ₹700/yr |
Apply at your Indian bank's overseas branch or online. Documents required:
Request PIS (Portfolio Investment Scheme) permission from your NRE/NRO bank. Bank sends PIS letter to SEBI. This is needed before you can trade stocks on NSE/BSE. Zerodha and ICICI Direct NRI accounts handle PIS registration for you.
Most AMCs and MF platforms accept NRI KYC online. Additional documents vs resident KYC:
Zerodha NRI: Best overall — supports both PIS (NRE) and non-PIS (NRO) accounts. Online application. Takes 2–4 weeks.
ICICI Direct NRI: Full-service, handles PIS automatically. Higher brokerage but simpler compliance.
HDFC Securities NRI: Good for existing HDFC bank customers.
Get Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from your country of residence (Japan: form from 税務署, UAE: from Ministry of Finance). Submit TRC + Form 10F to your Indian broker/bank. This enables DTAA rates instead of full TDS on dividends and gains.
| Investment | Allowed? | Account | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Stocks (NSE/BSE) | ✅ Yes | NRI Demat + PIS | Via Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) |
| Mutual Funds (most) | ✅ Yes | NRE/NRO | Most AMCs accept NRI. US/Canada NRI may face restrictions. |
| NRE Fixed Deposits | ✅ Yes | NRE Account | Tax-free interest in India. Best safe option. |
| Real Estate | ✅ Yes | NRE/NRO | Cannot buy agricultural land without RBI permission. |
| Sovereign Gold Bonds (new) | ⚠️ Restricted | NRE Demat | Cannot buy new SGBs. Can hold existing ones. |
| PPF (new account) | ❌ No | N/A | Cannot open new PPF. Existing PPF can continue. |
| Equity Futures & Options | ❌ No | N/A | NRIs not allowed to trade derivatives on Indian exchanges. |
| NISA (Japan) | ✅ Yes (if Japan resident) | Japan brokerage | Available to all Japan residents including Indian NRIs. |
My Number Card is essential for opening investment accounts in Japan. Apply at your local city/ward office (市役所) with your Residence Card (在留カード). Takes 4–6 weeks. The card has an IC chip used for online identity verification.
Required to fund your investment accounts. Easiest for foreigners: Sony Bank (English interface, online application), Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) (accepts short-residence foreigners), Rakuten Bank (online, linked to Rakuten ecosystem). Bring Residence Card + My Number Card.
Go to broker website → Click 口座開設 → Select: NISA account (NISA口座) + Special Tax Account with Withholding (特定口座/源泉徴収あり) → Upload My Number Card + Residence Card → Complete facial verification → Submit. Approval takes 5–10 business days.
Transfer money from your bank via 振替 (bank transfer) or PayPay/Rakuten Pay → Go to 投資信託 section → Search for fund → Select 積立購入 (Regular Purchase) → Set monthly amount (min ¥100) → Choose date → Confirm. Your NISA SIP is now active.
Open NRE/NRO account at SBI India (online via YONO) → Open NRI demat at Zerodha → Use Wise or Revolut to transfer funds from Japan to India → Invest in Indian MFs via Kuvera (accepts Japan NRI) or direct stocks via Zerodha NRI.
When sending ₹1,00,000 worth of yen from Japan to India, the platform you choose can make a difference of ₹1,500–₹4,000 in a single transfer. Over a year of regular remittances, this adds up to ₹15,000–₹40,000+. The key factors are: (1) exchange rate markup over mid-market rate, (2) flat/percentage fees, (3) transfer speed, and (4) receiving limits.
Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate (same as Google) and charges a small transparent fee (0.3–0.6%). No hidden markup in the exchange rate — what you see is what you get. Over 16 million customers globally. Also offers a multi-currency account (Wise Account) useful for NRIs juggling JPY, USD, and INR.
Revolut is more than a remittance app — it's a full digital bank available in 40+ countries. Free weekday transfers at interbank rate (market rate), small 0.5% fee on weekends when markets are closed. The Revolut Standard plan is free and covers most NRI needs. Metal/Premium plans unlock higher limits and cashback.
vilfingeorge!APR1-26-AR-JP-H1
Instarem is headquartered in Singapore and has particularly strong rates for Asian currency corridors including JPY→INR. Competitive exchange rates and low fees. Earn InstaPoints on every transfer — redeemable for fee discounts. Good for regular Japan-to-India remittances.
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| Feature | 💚 Wise | 🌍 Revolut | ⚡ Instarem | 🏦 Bank Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | Mid-market (0%) | Interbank (0% weekday) | ~0.3–0.8% markup | 1–4% markup |
| Weekend Rate | Same (no surcharge) | +0.5% surcharge | Same rate | Same bad rate |
| Flat Fee | ~¥500 + 0.5% | Free (Standard plan) | Small flat fee | ¥2,500–5,000 |
| Speed JPY→INR | 1–2 days | Instant–2 days | Same day–2 days | 2–5 days |
| Multi-currency Account | Yes (30+ currencies) | Yes (30+ currencies) | Limited | No |
| Debit Card | Yes (Wise Card) | Yes (Revolut Card) | Yes (Amaze Card) | N/A |
| Rewards / Cashback | None | Cashback on Metal plan | InstaPoints | None |
| Japan Support | Full (JPY supported) | Full (available in Japan) | Full (strong JPY) | Full (your main bank) |
| India NEFT/IMPS | Yes (IMPS available) | Yes (via partner banks) | Yes | SWIFT only (NEFT rare) |
| NRE Account Credit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Bonus | Fee-free 1st transfer | Free card + rewards | Special 1st rate | None |
| Best For | Transparency, large amounts | Regular transfers, travel card | JPY→INR, Asia | Convenience only |
Download the app (Wise/Revolut/Instarem) → Sign up with email → Verify identity (passport/Residence Card photo + selfie). One-time process. Takes 5–15 minutes. Use referral links above for bonus offers.
Upload your My Number Card or Residence Card (在留カード) + passport photo page. Take a live selfie for liveness check. Verification usually instant or within a few hours. Required by Japan financial regulations for all remittance services.
Add your Indian NRE or NRO bank account as recipient: Enter IFSC code (found on your cheque book or bank app) + Account Number + Account holder name exactly as registered with the bank. Double-check — wrong IFSC/account number can cause delays or misdirected transfers.
Enter the amount in JPY or INR → The platform shows you: (a) exchange rate, (b) fees, (c) total INR the recipient gets, (d) estimated arrival time. Always check the "total received" amount — not just the headline rate. Compare this number across platforms before transferring.
Link your Japanese bank account via domestic bank transfer (振込). Or use a debit card (higher fees). Wise and Revolut also support 銀行振込 (bank wire) from most Japanese banks. Money is held by the platform until the outgoing transfer is processed.
All platforms provide real-time transfer tracking. You'll receive email/push notification when money is sent and when it arrives. Average: Wise 1–2 days, Revolut instant–2 days, Instarem same day–2 days. Keep the transfer confirmation for your tax records (important for 確定申告 and NRE account).
| Corridor | Best Platform | 2nd Best | Typical Rate | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 JPY → 🇮🇳 INR | Wise | Instarem | ¥1 ≈ ₹0.56–0.62 | 1–2 days | Most relevant for Japan-based NRIs. Compare Wise vs Instarem for this corridor. |
| 🇺🇸 USD → 🇮🇳 INR | Wise | Revolut | $1 ≈ ₹83–87 | 1–2 days | Wise dominates USD→INR with lowest total cost. Revolut also excellent for regular transfers. |
| 🇬🇧 GBP → 🇮🇳 INR | Wise | Revolut | £1 ≈ ₹107–115 | 1–2 days | Both Wise and Revolut have excellent GBP→INR rates from UK. |
| 🇸🇬 SGD → 🇮🇳 INR | Instarem | Wise | S$1 ≈ ₹62–67 | Same day | Instarem headquartered in Singapore — best SGD corridor rates. |
| 🇦🇪 AED → 🇮🇳 INR | Wise | Instarem | AED 1 ≈ ₹22–24 | 1–2 days | UAE-based NRIs: Wise offers excellent AED→INR. No personal income tax in UAE adds to savings. |
| 🇪🇺 EUR → 🇮🇳 INR | Wise | Revolut | €1 ≈ ₹90–97 | 1–2 days | Wise dominates EUR corridor. Revolut also good for EU-based senders. |
| 🇮🇳 INR → 🇯🇵 JPY | Limited | — | — | 3–5 days | Outward remittance from India has RBI limits ($250K/yr LRS). Use Wise or bank SWIFT. Less common direction. |