Your brokerage accounts
when you move back — keep, transfer or close?

3 things to sort before you touch any account

• Port your US number to Google Voice — $3, do it before you cancel your carrier. Your US phone number is tied to bank 2FA, brokerage OTPs, IRS texts, and old employer contacts. The moment your US SIM goes dark, you can get locked out of every account that texts that number. Port to Google Voice and the number is yours permanently — it never expires or gets recycled, and you can port it back to any US carrier when you return. How to port: go to voice.google.com → Settings → Transfer number → pay $3 → enter your carrier account number + PIN → done in a few hours. Your carrier SIM goes dark, the number lives in Google Voice. Forward calls to your Indian number in the app. Works over Jio/Airtel data for calling US banks and brokerages. For US visits, pair with a Google Fi or T-Mobile prepaid eSIM for local cellular data.
• Switch every account to paperless / e-delivery. Once you have an Indian address on file, physical mail from US brokers either doesn't arrive or arrives months late. Tax forms, account notices, margin calls — all go to the old address. Log in to each brokerage now: Settings → Documents → Go Paperless. Also update your email address if you're changing it.
• File a W-8BEN with each broker before you leave. When you become a non-resident alien (NRA) for US tax purposes, your broker needs a W-8BEN on file. Without it, they apply 30% default withholding on dividends. With it — and the India–US DTAA (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement) — the withholding drops to 25% on dividends. Most brokers prompt you for this when you update your address; don't wait for them to ask. DTAA and NRA tax explained →

• Why it's the best option: IBKR operates in 150+ countries. Indian residents can open accounts directly at interactivebrokers.co.in. If you already have a US IBKR account, you can usually continue using it from India — update your address and tax residency in the account settings.
• Multi-currency: Hold USD, GBP, EUR, INR — and convert at near-institutional FX rates (~2 bps). Cheapest FX conversion of any retail broker by a wide margin.
• Global market access: US stocks, US ETFs, UK, EU, HK, Japan, India (via NSE/BSE) — all in one account. One login for your entire global portfolio.
• Transfer from other brokers: Accept ACATS transfers from Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab, E*Trade. Positions move in-kind — no forced selling.
• Tax docs: Generates Form 1099 for US tax, annual gain/loss statements for Indian CA use. Clean paper trail for both countries.

• Schwab International is Schwab's product line specifically for non-US residents. If you have a regular Schwab account, call them before you move to convert it or open a linked International account.
• The banking angle: Schwab International debit card is the gold standard for returning NRIs — no foreign transaction fees, reimburses all ATM fees globally, no monthly fee. Keep this for your US dollar needs even after you've moved.
• Brokerage: Full US stock, ETF and mutual fund access. Schwab's research tools are strong. US customer service works from India without friction.
• What to do now: Call Schwab before your address change and tell them you're moving abroad. They'll walk you through the International conversion. Don't just change your address and hope for the best.

• Policy for non-residents: Fidelity generally allows existing accounts to remain open for non-US residents, but they won't open new accounts. Trading is usually still available, but some features (options, margin) may be restricted.
• What to do: Contact Fidelity's international team before you move. Update your address and tax status proactively. Ask specifically about your account type — the answer varies by product.
• IRA / 401k rollover accounts: These are generally unaffected — retirement accounts have different rules than taxable brokerage. Don't conflate the two.
• Risk: Some users report accounts getting flagged and restricted when Fidelity identifies a non-US address. Better to call ahead than be locked out mid-transfer.

• US residents only. Robinhood's terms require a US residential address. The moment you update to an Indian address, your account is restricted — no new trades, no withdrawals until you resolve it.
• What to do: Initiate an ACATS transfer to IBKR at least 2–3 weeks before your move date. ACATS takes 5–7 business days. Your positions transfer in-kind (no selling required) — stocks, ETFs, fractional shares move as-is.
• If you have fractional shares: Fractional shares cannot move via ACATS. You'll need to sell these first, then the cash transfers. Plan for this.
• Crypto on Robinhood: Crypto doesn't move via ACATS. Withdraw to a personal wallet or exchange before leaving.
• Don't leave this until the last week. ACATS takes 5–7 days, and rejections (usually due to margin or options positions) add another full cycle.

• All US-only platforms. None of these support non-US residents. All will restrict your account when your address changes to India.
• Robo-advisors (Betterment / Wealthfront): These typically don't support outbound ACATS. You'll need to liquidate your portfolio and wire the cash to IBKR or your Indian bank. Time this with the RNOR window if possible (see below).
• ETF holdings: If your robo-advisor holds you in standard ETFs (VTI, VXUS, BND etc.), these can usually move via ACATS to IBKR. Check with your specific platform.
• E*Trade (Morgan Stanley): ACATS out to IBKR should work. Call their transfer team and confirm before your move date.

• UK residents only. All three require UK residency. Accounts will be restricted or closed once you register a non-UK address.
• Best path: Open an IBKR UK account while still UK-resident, then initiate an in-specie transfer (UK equivalent of ACATS) before you leave. Once in IBKR UK, you can then migrate to an IBKR India account.
• ISA accounts (Hargreaves Lansdown / Freetrade): ISAs lose their tax-advantaged status once you become non-UK-resident. You can no longer contribute, and in some cases the ISA wrapper has to be dissolved. Speak to a UK tax adviser before moving.
• Pension / SIPP: Separate rules apply. Do not move these without advice — UK pension access rules and Indian tax treatment are complex.

• Good news for returning NRIs. These platforms primarily serve resident Indians investing via LRS. When you return as a resident, you can use them fully — update your KYC from NRI to resident status and you're back in business.
• Existing holdings: US stocks held on these platforms stay intact through the move. No liquidation required.
• LRS funding resumes: As a resident, you can fund up to $250,000 per year via LRS. The platforms handle the remittance + brokerage flow end-to-end.
• Tax note: During RNOR, gains on US stocks held here are not taxable in India. After RNOR, standard Indian capital gains rules apply. RNOR explained →

• Don't liquidate to INR immediately. IBKR lets you hold proceeds in USD. There's no rush to convert. The INR has historically depreciated against the dollar — holding some dollar exposure isn't irrational.
• GIFT City: Invest proceeds into USD-denominated funds at GIFT City — US ETFs, global equity, dollar bonds — without needing a foreign account. Dollar in, dollar out, regulated by IFSCA. Full GIFT City guide →
• Wire to India when you're ready: IBKR → your Indian resident savings account via SWIFT. Use our FX compare tool for the best rate on the actual conversion — banks typically charge 2–3% markup, Wise and XE are 0.3–0.8%.
• Indian markets: Once you have Aadhaar + PAN updated, open a Zerodha or HDFC Securities demat for Indian equity and mutual funds. Compare Indian brokers →