2026-01-16
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued this circular to implement the Single Window Automatic and Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (SWAGAT-FI) framework, modifying operational guidelines for Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs). The regulations allow eligible applicants to register as both FVCIs and FPIs simultaneously using existing documentation and extend the KYC review periodicity to ten years for SWAGAT-FI entities. These provisions, which require designated depository participants to update their systems, come into force on June 1, 2026.
Page 1 of 3 CIRCULAR HO/19/34/14(5)2025-AFD-POD2/I/199/2025 January 16, 2026 To,
Page 2 of 3 processed on the basis of information and documents submitted by the applicant for its application for registration as FPI. Provided the applicant appoints the same custodian and DDP for FVCI registration as appointed for FPI registration. 1.4.4 FVCI meeting the requirements for SWAGAT-FI FPI may convert to SWAGAT-FI FVCI on making an application to its DDP. Provided the FVCI appoints the same custodian and DDP for FVCI registration as appointed for FPI registration. 3.2.Sub-paras 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 of Chapter 1 shall be modified as under: “1.5.1 An existing FVCI registered on or before December 31, 2019 shall (i) pay the renewal fee to its DDP and (ii) intimate changes in information, if any, as submitted earlier, on or before March 31, 2025. For subsequent blocks of five years (10 years in case of SWAGAT-FI) starting from January 01, 2030, such FVCIs shall (i) pay the renewal fee to its DDP and (ii) intimate changes in information, if any, as submitted earlier, at least 15 days before the completion of the previous five-year block so as to continue with their registration. 1.5.2 An existing FVCI registered after December 31, 2019 shall (i) pay the renewal fee to its DDP and (ii) intimate changes in information, if any, as submitted earlier, at least 15 days before the completion of five years (10 years in case of SWAGAT-FI) from the date of such registration so as to continue with their registration for the subsequent block of five years.” 3.3.After Para 2.6.2 of Chapter 2, the following sub-para shall be added: “2.6.3 In case of SWAGAT-FI FVCI, periodicity of KYC review shall be 10 years.”
Page 3 of 3 4. Depositories, Custodians and Designated Depository Participants are advised to make necessary changes in their systems to effect the changes proposed above. 5. The provisions of this circular shall come into force with effect from June 01, 2026. 6. This Circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 read with Regulations 3, 8 and 9 of FVCI Regulations to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market. 7. This Circular is available at www.sebi.gov.in under the link “Legal ---Circulars”. Yours faithfully, Manish Kumar Jha Deputy General Manager Tel No.: 022-26449219 E-mail: manishkj@sebi.gov.in