Executive Summary:
This circular, effective January 1, 2025, outlines operational guidelines for Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) and Designated Depository Participants (DDPs) following amendments to the SEBI FVCI Regulations, 2000. Existing FVCIs must engage a DDP by March 31, 2025, for due diligence. The guidelines cover FVCI registration, Know Your Client (KYC) requirements, and other operational aspects.
Key Points / Main Content:
Registration of Foreign Venture Capital Investors
* **DDP Engagement:**
* Existing FVCIs must engage a DDP by March 31, 2025, or face restrictions on further investments and required liquidation by March 31, 2027, followed by surrender of registration within 30 days.
* DDPs must assess FVCI eligibility within six months of engagement; ineligible FVCIs face restrictions on new commitments, though additional investments in existing unlisted investee companies are permitted.
* DDPs must notify SEBI within seven days if an FVCI or its investors appear on the United Nations Security Council Sanctions List or are deemed unfit.
* **Application Processing:**
* FVCI applicants must submit Form A with required documents and fees.
* DDPs will perform country, fit and proper person, and regulatory checks to determine eligibility.
* DDPs must verify beneficial owner identification per PML Rules.
* **Continuance/Renewal of Registration:**
* Existing FVCIs registered on or before December 31, 2019, shall pay the renewal fee to its DDP and intimate changes in information, if any, as submitted earlier, on or before March 31, 2025, and subsequently every five years.
* Existing FVCIs registered after December 31, 2019, shall pay the renewal fee to its DDP and intimate changes in information, if any, as submitted earlier, at least 15 days before the completion of five years from the date of such registration for subsequent blocks of five years.
* Failure to pay renewal fees may result in liquidation requirements.
* **Other Registration-Related Points:**
* DDPs grant registration certificates with SEBI-generated registration numbers.
* DDPs must maintain a database of FVCI applicants and rejected applications.
* DDPs must submit monthly reports to SEBI on applications and fees collected.
* FVCIs must submit requests for name changes to the DDP with supporting documents.
* Surrender of registration requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from SEBI.
* Change in DDP requires no objection from the transferor DDP and intimation to SEBI.
* FVCIs must inform DDPs and/or SEBI of any changes to material information.
* If a jurisdiction becomes non-compliant, FVCIs may face restrictions on fresh purchases.
Know Your Client (KYC) Requirements
* **Process:**
* FVCIs must provide KYC documents to intermediaries, who then upload them to the KRA portal.
* **Documentation:**
* Specific documents required include constitutive documents, proof of address, PAN, board resolution, FATCA CRS form, KYC form, list of authorized signatories, and UBO details.
* **Beneficial Owners:**
* Beneficial Owners (BOs) must be identified per PML Rules; FVCIs must maintain a list of BOs.
* **Periodic KYC Review:**
* KYC review frequency depends on the jurisdiction's risk level.
Other Changes:
* Requirement for FVCI applicants to obtain firm commitment from their investors for contribution of an amount of at least USD 1 million from investors shall no longer be applicable.
Impact Analysis:
Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs)
* Impact: Must comply with new registration and operational guidelines, including engaging a DDP, meeting eligibility criteria, and adhering to KYC requirements.
* Action Required: Engage a DDP by March 31, 2025, assess eligibility, prepare KYC documentation, and comply with reporting requirements.
Designated Depository Participants (DDPs) and Custodians
* Impact: Responsible for processing FVCI applications, conducting due diligence, monitoring compliance, and reporting to SEBI.
* Action Required: Establish processes for FVCI engagement, application processing, due diligence, monitoring, and reporting.
SEBI
* Impact: Oversees the FVCI regime and enforces compliance with the new guidelines.
* Action Required: Monitor DDP and FVCI compliance, review reports, and take appropriate action as needed.
Depositories, Stock Exchanges, and Clearing Corporations
* Impact: Required to be aware of the new FVCI operational guidelines.
* Action Required: Update internal policies and procedures to reflect the new guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Securities and Exchange Board of India: Regulatory body issuing the circular and empowered by the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
Foreign Venture Capital Investors: Entities regulated by SEBI Foreign Venture Capital Investors Regulations, 2000 and subject to the operational guidelines outlined in the circular.
Designated Depository Participants: Entities responsible for due diligence and registration-related activities for Foreign Venture Capital Investors as per the circular.
SEBI Foreign Venture Capital Investors Regulations, 2000: The primary regulations governing Foreign Venture Capital Investors in India, which have been amended as described in the circular.
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992: The act under which SEBI derives its power to issue regulations and protect investor interests.
Prevention of Moneylaundering Maintenance of Records Rules, 2005: Rules referred to in the context of identifying beneficial owners and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
United Nations Security Council: The circular refers to the Sanctions List notified by the United Nations Security Council, compliance to be checked by DDPs.
IOSCO: International Organization of Securities Commissions. Mentioned in the context of eligibility criteria for FVCI applicants based on securities market regulator being a signatory to IOSCO MMOU.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/AFD/AFD-PoD-3/P/CIR/2024/130 September 26, 2024
To,
1. Foreign Venture Capital Investors ("FVCIs")
2. Designated Depository Participants ("DDPs") and Custodians
3. All Depositories
4. All recognized Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations
Dear Sir / Madam,
Subject: Operational Guidelines for Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs)
and Designated Depository Participants (DDPs)
1. SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2000 (“FVCI Regulations”)
were amended vide notification dated September 05, 2024. The said amendments
shall come into force with effect from January 01, 2025. The amendment
notification, inter alia, specified provisions related to registration of FVCI through
Designated Depository Participants, eligibility conditions, renewal of registration,
etc.
2. In order to ensure smooth transition to the amended FVCI regime and
operationalise the amended provisions of the FVCI Regulations, it has been
decided to issue necessary guidance in the form of operational guidelines
(Annexure-1).
3. The provisions of this circular shall come into force with effect from January 01,
2025.
4. 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,
9, 10, and 15 of FVCI Regulations to protect the interest of investors in securities
and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
Page 1 of 245. 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
Encl: Annexure-1
Page 2 of 24Annexure-1
Operational Guidelines for Foreign Venture Capital Investors
These operational guidelines (“guidelines”) for Foreign Venture Capital Investors
(“FVCIs”) and Designated Depository Participants (“DDPs”) are issued to facilitate
smooth transition to the amended FVCI regime and operationalisation of the amended
provisions of SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2024 (FVCI
Regulations”).
Chapter 1 - Registration of Foreign Venture Capital Investors
1. Processing of FVCI application by DDPs
1.1 Engagement of DDPs by existing FVCIs
1.1.1 Existing FVCIs shall engage a DDP, to avail its services for conducting due-
diligence with respect to continuance of registration as an FVCI, by March
31, 2025. Any FVCI failing to engage a DDP by March 31, 2025, shall not
be permitted to make any further investment and shall liquidate:
a. Investments in listed securities, by March 31, 2026
b. other investments, by March 31, 2027
Remittance of the proceeds of such sale shall be subject to compliance with
applicable KYC, AML/CFT requirements.
1.1.2 Post liquidation of investments within the said time-period, the FVCI shall
apply for surrender of its registration within 30 days.
1.2 Compliance with eligibility criteria by Existing FVCIs
1.2.1 The DDP engaged by the existing FVCI shall carry out registration related
due diligence and assess compliance of the FVCI with eligibility criteria,
within 6 months from the date of such engagement.
1.2.2 Existing FVCI failing to meet the eligibility criteria shall not be permitted to
take fresh commitments or make new investments. Restriction on new
investments shall not apply to any additional investments in its existing
Page 3 of 24unlisted investee company(ies). However, such FVCI shall be permitted to
hold or sell its existing investments.
Existing FVCI with nil holdings/investments which fails to meet the eligibility
criteria shall apply for surrender of its registration to its DPP within 30 days
of such assessment by DDP. The DDP shall process the application for
surrender in terms of the provisions of FVCI Regulations.
1.2.3 In case the FVCI itself or its underlying investors contributing more than the
threshold prescribed under Rule 9 of the Prevention of Money-laundering
(Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 (“PML Rules”)in the corpus of the
FVCI or identified on the basis of control, come under the Sanctions List
notified by the United Nations Security Council, or the FVCI is no longer a
‘fit and proper’ person based on the criteria specified in Schedule II to SEBI
(Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008, no transaction (buy or sell) shall be
permitted in the account of such FVCI and the respective DDP shall as soon
as possible but not later than seven days notify such instances to SEBI.
1.2.4 The DDP shall be responsible for monitoring of compliance of FVCI with
conditions specified above.
1.3 Transfer of Existing FVCI data to DDP
1.3.1 Upon engagement by an FVCI, the DDP may seek transfer of registration
related information of the FVCI from SEBI.
1.4 Processing of application for registration by DDPs
1.4.1 FVCI applicant shall submit duly filled application form (Form-A) supported
by required documents and applicable fees. The application form in original
should be duly signed. If an application form is incomplete, or lacks clarity,
the applicant shall be advised by the DDP to clarify or furnish the desired
information within a reasonable time.
Page 4 of 241.4.2 DDPs shall consider the following checks for determination of eligibility at
the time of processing FVCI application:
1.4.2.1 Country Check - The residency status of the FVCI applicant maybe
ascertained from the place of incorporation/ establishment through an
appropriate document or information such as any identification /
registration document issued by applicable regulator or the Income
Tax authority. For due diligence, DDP may verify the country as below
Table 1
S. Countries Source for verification
No. from website of
List of countries where the International Organization of
(a)
securities market regulator is a Securities Commissions
signatory to IOSCO MMOU (IOSCO)
https://www.iosco.org/
List of countries that have Securities and Exchange
(b)
bilateral MOU with SEBI Board of India (SEBI)
https://www.sebi.gov.in/dep
artment/office-of-
international-affairs-36/oia-
bilateral.html
List of countries whose Central Bank for International
(c)
Bank is a member of the BIS Settlements (BIS)
https://www.bis.org/about/m
ember_cb.htm
List of countries that are listed in Financial Action Task Force
(d)
the public statements issued by (FATF).
FATF and list of FATF member https://www.fatf-
countries gafi.org/en/home.html
With respect to the eligibility of FVCI applicants from a country where
there are separate securities market regulators for different provinces/
Page 5 of 24states within that country, applicants from only those provinces /
states whose securities market regulator is a signatory to IOSCO
MMOUs or has entered into a Bilateral MoU with SEBI would be
eligible for grant of registration as FVCI.
Any reference in the FVCI Regulations and these guidelines, with
regard to an entity ‘from a FATF member country’ will mean that the
entity has its primary place of business in a FATF member country.
1.4.2.2 Fit and proper person check - DDP may obtain declaration from the
applicant regarding meeting the eligibility criteria specified under
Regulation 4 of the FVCI Regulations and shall exercise its due
diligence, as applicable.
1.4.2.3 Regulatory check - The DDP may verify if the applicant is regulated or
supervised by the securities market regulator or banking regulator and
that its registration/license granted by its regulator has not been
cancelled and is still valid through any one of the following:
1.4.2.3.1 Obtain a copy of certificate issued by such regulator or;
1.4.2.3.2 verify the registration details directly from the registry or the
website of such regulator.
1.4.2.4 Any past action taken by FVCI applicant's regulator may not
necessarily render such an applicant ineligible as long as such action
did not result in cancellation of its registration. Further, if an FVCI
applicant, which is present in multiple jurisdictions, is suspended by
one of its foreign regulators and if this suspension does not affect the
entity or any of its affiliates’ ability to trade in any other country around
the world, DDP can consider such an applicant eligible for grant of
registration subject to fulfilment of applicable eligibility requirements.
1.4.2.5 DDP shall mention name of its signatory(ies) in the FVCI registration
approval while communicating registration approval to the FVCI.
Page 6 of 241.4.2.6 DDP shall verify that identification of Beneficial owners is in
accordance with Rule 9 (3) of PML Rules.
1.5 Continuance/renewal of Registration
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 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 from
the date of such registration so as to continue with their registration for the
subsequent block of five years.
1.5.3 In terms of Regulation 9(4) of the FVCI Regulations, if the foreign venture
capital investor fails to pay the renewal fee for continuance of registration
within the specified due date and has investment in India, such foreign
venture capital investor shall pay the renewal fee as specified in Second
Schedule, along with a late fee as specified Second Schedule for each day
of delay in payment of renewal fee, subject to maximum of one and half
times of the renewal fee.
Existing FVCI, registered on or before September 04, 2024, that fails to pay
the renewal fee (along with late fee, as applicable) within prescribed
timelines shall liquidate its existing investments in the following manner:
a. Investments in listed securities shall be liquidated within 1 year from the
date of completion of the existing registration block.
b. Other investments shall be liquidated within 2 years from the date of
completion of the existing registration block.
Page 7 of 241.5.4 Remittance of proceeds of such sale shall be subject to compliance with
applicable KYC, AML/CFT requirements.
1.6 Registration Number
1.6.1 The DDP shall grant the certificate of registration, bearing registration
number generated by SEBI.
1.7 Rejection of FVCI application
1.7.1 A DDP may consider an FVCI application that has been previously rejected
by another DDP. However, before considering such an application, the
DDP shall ascertain the reasons for which the application was rejected. In
case the application was rejected on technical grounds, the DDP shall
ensure that such deficiencies have been rectified by the applicant, before
assessing the application afresh on its own merits. If the application has
been rejected for any other reason, then the DDP shall assess the
application on its own merit as per FVCI Regulations.
1.7.2 DDPs shall maintain a database of FVCI applicants. DDP shall input the
details of FVCI applicants in the database. Where an FVCI application is
rejected by a DDP, the DDP shall mention the reason for such rejection in
the database.
1.8 Reporting
1.8.1 Every DDP shall submit to SEBI, monthly reports on applications received
from FVCI applicants as per the format specified in Annexure- 1A and such
other reports as may be required by SEBI. The report pertaining to a month
may be submitted by DDPs to SEBI through email at fvci-
report@sebi.gov.in. latest by 10th of the following month.
1.8.2 The DDP shall submit to SEBI monthly reports of the fees collected for all
the FVCI registered by it as per the format set out in Annexure- 1B hereto
through email at fvci-report@sebi.gov.in. and such other reports as may be
required by SEBI.
Page 8 of 241.9 Name change
1.9.1 In case the FVCI has undergone a change in name, the request for
updation/ incorporation of a new name should be submitted by the FVCI to
the DDP accompanied by documents certifying the name change. Such
name change can be evidenced by:
Information available on the website of the home regulator; or
Certified copy of document(s) from home regulator; or
Certified copy of document(s) from Registrar of Company (or equivalent
authority) (wherever applicable) issued; or
Where above is not applicable, a Board Resolution or equivalent
authorizing the name change
1.9.2 An undertaking by the FVCI shall be given stating that it is a mere name
change and does not involve change in beneficial ownership or structure.
1.9.3 Upon receipt of the request for name change along with abovementioned
documents, the DDP shall effect the change in name in the certificate. The
DDP shall issue a letter and fresh registration certificate to such applicant
acknowledging the change in name.
1.9.4 FVCI shall as soon as possible but not later than seven working days apply
for appropriate change in name in the PAN records, pursuant to its name
change.
1.10 Surrender of Registration
1.10.1 DDP shall seek a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the Board to
process such surrender after ensuring that the holdings of the FVCI in
security account and bank account is NIL.
1.10.2 DDP shall process such surrender applications post receipt of NOC from
the Board and shall issue a confirmation to the FVCI in this regard.
1.10.3 While making an application to SEBI for seeking “No Objection Certificate”
(NOC) for surrender, the DDP shall confirm the following with respect to the
FVCI:
i. Accounts held by the applicant in the capacity of FVCI have NIL
balance and are blocked for further transactions. Further, the CP
code of the FVCI is also blocked.
Page 9 of 24ii. There are no dues/ fees pending towards SEBI.
iii. There are no actions/ proceedings pending against the said
applicant.
1.10.4 While processing such surrender application DDP shall ensure that:
i. all the accounts (including bank account and securities account)
held by the applicant in the capacity of FVCI are closed; and
ii. the CP code is deactivated
within 10 working days from the date of receipt of NOC from SEBI.
1.11 Change in DDP
1.11.1 In case, an FVCI or its Global Custodian wishes to change the DDP, the
request for change shall be forwarded to new DDP. Such request from the
Global Custodian on behalf of its underlying FVCI client(s) shall be
considered only if such Global Custodian has been explicitly authorized to
take such steps by the FVCI.
1.11.2 Upon receipt of no objection from the transferor DDP, the transferee DDP
shall approve the change. In case, the request for change in DDP is
received from Global Custodian, the transferee DDP shall inform
Compliance Officer of the FVCI regarding the change in its DDP.
1.11.3 Once the change of DDP is approved by the DDP, the FVCI shall transfer
accounts and assets, as the case may be, to the new DDP within a period
of 30 days. In case the transition does not take place within the stipulated
time, the FVCI shall provide reasons for the same and seek extension from
DDP for a further period of 30 days. Once the transition is complete,
transferee DDP shall intimate SEBI about the change. The new and old
DDPs, shall provide joint confirmation on completion of transition of data
and documents to SEBI.
1.11.4 With respect to the process of change of DDP by an FVCI, the new DDP
(i.e. transferee) may rely on the due diligence carried out by the old DDP.
However, the new DDP is required to carry out adequate due diligence at
the time when the FVCI applies for continuance of its registration.
Page 10 of 241.12 Change in Material Information
1.12.1 In terms of Regulation 15A(d) of the FVCI Regulations, if there is any
change in the material information previously furnished by the FVCI to the
DDP and/or SEBI, which has a bearing on the certificate granted by the
DDP on behalf of the Board, it shall inform the DDP and/or the Board in
writing, in the following manner:
1.12.1.1 ‘Type I’ material changes shall be informed by FVCI as soon as
possible and within seven working-days of the occurrence of the
change and the supporting documents (if any) shall be provided
within 30 days of such change. This category shall include critical
material changes that
I. render the FVCI ineligible for registration
II. require FVCI to seek fresh registration
III. render FVCI ineligible to make fresh investments
IV. impact any privileges available or granted to the FVCI under
the extant regulatory framework
V. impact any exemptions available or granted to the FVCI under
the extant regulatory framework
1.12.1.2 Accordingly, the following material changes shall be considered
as ‘Type I’ material changes:
I. Change of Jurisdiction
II. Name change on account of acquisition, merger, demerger,
restructuring, change of ownership/control
III. Acquisition/merger/demerger resulting in cessation of
existence of FVCI
IV. Restructuring of legal form (e.g. Corporate to trust)
V. Change in compliance status of jurisdiction of FVCI and/or
BO, as applicable, in terms of Regulation 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) of
the FVCI Regulations.
VI. Any information or particulars previously submitted to the
Board or DDP are found to be false or misleading, in any
material respect.
Page 11 of 24VII. Any penalty, pending litigation or proceedings, findings of
inspections or investigations for which action may have been
taken or is in the process of being taken by an overseas
regulator.
VIII. Breach of any of the eligibility criteria as specified under
Regulation 4 of FVCI Regulations unless the FVCI has been
exempted from complying with the said criteria.
1.12.1.3 ‘Type II’ material changes, i.e., any material changes other than
those considered as ‘Type I’ material changes, shall be informed
and supporting documents (if any) shall be provided by the FVCI
as soon as possible and within 30 days of such change.
1.12.2 The DDP shall examine all material changes informed by the FVCI and re-
assess the eligibility of the FVCI including requiring FVCI to seek fresh
registration. However, the DDP shall mandatorily require the FVCI to seek
fresh registration in case of ‘Type I’ material changes listed at sr. no. I to V
of clause 1.12.1.2 above.
1.12.3 Where there is a delay in intimation of material change by the FVCI to the
DDP, the DDP shall, as soon as possible but not later than two working
days, inform all such cases to SEBI for appropriate action, if any, along with
reason for delay.
1.13 Change in Status of a Compliant Jurisdiction
1.13.1 If a jurisdiction that was compliant at the time of grant of registration as a
FVCI, becomes non-compliant subsequently, i.e. (a) ceases to be a
member of IOSCO/ Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with SEBI/
BIS or (b) becomes listed in FATF public statement as a "high risk" and
"non-cooperative" jurisdiction, then the Custodian shall not allow such
FVCIs to make fresh purchases until the jurisdiction/FVCI is compliant with
the Regulations. The DDP shall inform to SEBI, details of such FVCIs upon
such change.
Page 12 of 241.13.2 However, the FVCI shall be permitted to sell the investments or continue to
hold the investments already purchased by it as per the following timelines,
whichever is later:
(i) investments in listed securities, within 1 year from the date of change in
status of the jurisdiction and other investments, within 2 years from the date
such change, or
(ii) until expiry of its existing registration block.
1.13.3 Further, in case the FVCI itself or its underlying investors contributing to the
corpus of the FVCI more than the threshold as specified under Rule 9 of
PML Rules or identified on the basis of control, come under the Sanctions
List notified by the United Nations Security Council, no transaction (buy or
sell) shall be permitted in the account of such FVCI and the respective DDP
shall as soon as possible but not later than seven days notify such
instances to SEBI.
1.14 Other Changes relating to FVCI
1.14.1 DDPs shall take note of the other changes such as change in Compliance
Officer, change in contact details and address and update the records
accordingly.
1.15 Miscellaneous
1.15.1 The existing requirement for FVCI applicants to obtain firm commitment
from their investors for contribution of an amount of at least USD 1 million
from investors shall no longer be applicable.
Chapter 2 – Know Your Client (KYC) Requirements for FVCIs
2.1 KYC Process
FVCIs are required to provide KYC related documents to intermediaries. Once the
KYC process is completed, the intermediary shall upload the Form and supporting
documents on the KYC Registration Agencies (KRA) portal for other market
Page 13 of 24intermediaries to access and complete their KYC requirements. Apart from the KYC
requirement stated below, each intermediary may have additional documentation
requirement for conducting enhanced due diligence as per their internal policies.
2.2 KYC documentation requirements for FVCIs
KYC documentation applicable for FVCIs shall be as under:
Table 2
Sr.
Document Type KYC Documentation Details
No
1 Constitutive Docs (MoA, COI, prospectus etc.)
2 Proof of Address1
3 PAN
Applicant Level
4 Board Resolution2
5 FATCA / CRS form
6 Form/ KYC Form
Authorised
7 List of Signatures2
Signatories
List of UBO including the details of Intermediate
8 Ultimate Beneficial
BO3
Owner (UBO)
9 Proof of Identity
1 Power of Attorney having address provided to Custodian is accepted as address proof.
2 Power of Attorney granted to Global Custodian/ local Custodian is accepted in lieu of
Board Resolution. Board Resolution and the authorized signatory list is not required if
SWIFT is used as a medium of instruction.
3 UBO is not required for Government and Government related entities.
Notes to the Table:
i. FVCI shall provide an undertaking that upon demand by Regulators/ Law
Enforcement Agencies, the exempted / relevant document/s would be
submitted to the intermediary.
Page 14 of 24ii. For non-PAN related KYC documents (including KYC form), a local custodian
can rely on KYC carried out by another entity of the same financial group (like
a Global Custodian or Investment Manager) which is regulated and coming
from an FATF member country, where KYC is carried out as per their home
jurisdiction standards. Where this reliance is placed, such entity/ FVCI shall
provide an undertaking to the effect that the relevant KYC documents, would
be submitted to the DDP/ local intermediary when required by regulator/law
enforcement agency/ government departments/ tax authority, etc. However, the
Custodian / local intermediary will be required to collect constitution documents
and Beneficial Owner (BO) related declarations (wherever applicable) of the
FVCI and also, upload the evidence of KYC reliance on KRA.
iii. Prospectus and Information Memorandum are acceptable in lieu of an official
constitutional document.
iv. Valid FATCA / CRS documentations is required to be submitted at the time of
account opening.
v. Intermediary can verify the PAN of FVCIs online from website authorized by the
Income-Tax department. To clarify no certification of PAN document required
from FVCIs. Alternatively, e-PAN issued by CBDT can also be produced by
FVCI for KYC compliance without requiring any certifications. In such situations
where the intermediary is relying on KRA, it shall verify the PAN and download
the available documents from KRA. PAN is not mandatory for UBO, senior
management and authorized signatories of FVCI.
vi. PAN is not mandatory for UN entities/multilateral agencies exempt from paying
taxes/filing tax returns in India.
2.3 Sharing of KYC documents with banks towards opening of bank accounts
of FVCIs
2.3.1 Intermediaries are advised to share the relevant KYC documents with the banks
concerned based on appropriate authorization.
Page 15 of 242.3.2 Accordingly, a set of hard copies of the relevant KYC documents furnished by
the FVCIs to intermediaries may be transferred to the concerned bank through
their authorised representative.
2.3.3 While transferring such documents, intermediaries shall certify that the
documents have been duly verified with the original or notarised documents
have been obtained, where applicable. In this regard, a proper record of transfer
of documents, both at the level of the Intermediaries as well as at the bank,
under signatures of the officials of the transferor and transferee entities, may
be kept.
2.4 Depository Account by Foreign Venture Capital Investor:
2.4.1 In case an FVCI holds separate depository accounts in both NSDL and CDSL,
it is allowed to appoint only one custodian.
2.5 Identification and verification of Beneficial Owners
2.5.1 Beneficial Owners (BOs) are the natural persons who ultimately own or control
an FVCI and shall be identified in accordance with Rule 9 of the PML Rules.
FVCIs are required to maintain a list of BOs and should provide such list of their
BOs as below: -
Sl. Name Date Tax Nati Whether BO Group’s Tax Residency
No & of Reside onali acting percentage Number/ Social
. Addre Birth ncy ty alone or Shareholdin Security Number/
ss of Jurisdic together g / Capital / Passport Number
the tion through Profit of BO/ any other
Benefi one or ownership Government issued
cial more in the FVCI identity document
Owner natural number (example
(Natur persons driving license)
al as group, (Please provide
Perso with their any)
n) name &
address
i. Beneficial owners of FVCIs having General Partner/Limited Partnership
structure shall be identified on ownership or entitlement basis and control basis.
Page 16 of 24ii. The materiality threshold to identify the beneficial owner shall be first applied at
the level of FVCI and next look through basis shall be applied to identify the
beneficial owner of the intermediate shareholder/ owner entity. Beneficial owner
and intermediate shareholder/ owner entity with holdings equal & above the
materiality thresholds in the FVCIs shall be identified on a look through basis.
For intermediate material shareholder/ owner entity/ies, name, country and
percentage holding shall also be disclosed as per Annexure-1C.
iii. The term senior managing official (SMO), for identification as BO, means
individual(s) as designated by the FVCI who holds a senior management
position and makes key decisions relating to the FVCI.
iv. No foreign company shall be entitled for exemption under Rule 9(3)(f) of PMLA
Rules.
v. In case of companies/ trusts represented by service providers like lawyers/
accountants, FVCIs shall provide information of the real owners/ effective
controllers of those companies / trusts. If the BO exercises controls through
means like voting rights, agreements, arrangement etc., the same shall also be
specified. It is clarified that BO shall not be a nominee of another person and
that the real BO shall be identified.
2.6 Periodic KYC review
2.6.1 KYC review means steps taken to ensure that documents, data or information
collected under the due-diligence process are kept up-to-date and relevant by
undertaking reviews of existing records on a periodical basis.
2.6.2 At the time of KYC review, custodian may seek confirmation from FVCIs as to
whether there is any change in the documents/ information provided earlier. If
there is any change, the FVCI shall provide the updated documents/ information
to the custodian. The periodicity for KYC review of FVCIs, based on the
jurisdiction shall be as follows:
Jurisdiction Review frequency
High Risk Annually
Other than High Risk Every five years
Page 17 of 242.7 Data security
2.7.1 The KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) shall secure personal information
provided with regard to beneficial owner including SMO of FVCI. Such
information should be made available to intermediaries only on ‘need to know
basis’ using an authentication method wherein an intermediary, can access the
information from KRA using the authentication (similar to One Time Password
“OTP”) after the KRA gets confirmation from the FVCI or its Global Custodian
or Investment Manager. For this purpose, KRAs need to maintain email ids of
the FVCI and/ or its representative. This functionality will be optional and it shall
be de-activated only upon receipt of instruction from the FVCI to KRA.
2.7.2 The key features of the as below:
a. Up to 3 email IDs of the FVCI can be recorded with 1 mandatory ID and 2
optional email IDs
b. Download Consent Flag – Yes / No (Default value is set as “Yes”)
i. ‘Yes’ means Consent required for download
ii. ‘No’ means download without consent
c. Where Download Consent Flag is “Yes”, an email with the consent link with
decision tab “Approve” or “Reject”, will be sent to the authorised
representative of FVCI (as per the details updated in “a” above), requesting
their consent to provide the KYC records to the requesting intermediary.
d. KRA will send an email to the requesting intermediary that consent request
email has been sent to the authorised representative of the FVCI, to enable
them to follow up for the consent.
e. KRA will permit download of KYC records and information once the consent
is received from the authorised representative of the FVCI.
f. Whenever KYC details of client are modified by intermediaries, KRA system
sends unsolicited download of KYC information to all intermediaries who
have either uploaded/downloaded/modified KYC information of the FVCI.
The unsolicited KYC download including UBO details of the FVCI will be
available to the intermediaries who have uploaded/downloaded/modified,
Page 18 of 24such FVCIs KYC details in the past, even when the Download Consent Flag
is set as “Yes” or otherwise.
g. In case the FVCI closes the account with an intermediary, the FVCI or the
intermediary shall inform KRA to delink the KYC of such FVCI, so that
unsolicited download request can be discontinued.
2.8 Period for maintenance of records
2.8.1 The Custodian shall maintain the KYC records in original for a minimum period
of five years from the date of cessation of the transactions with the said FVCI.
In case any litigation is pending, these records should be maintained till the
completion of the proceedings.
2.9 Guidelines for KYC:
2.9.1 Copies of all the documents submitted by the applicant shall be accompanied
by originals for verification. In case the original of any document is not produced
for verification, copies shall be properly attested by entities authorized for
attesting the documents.
2.9.2 In lieu of physical attestation, certification of copies of original documents by
authorized bank officials (i.e. officials of Multinational Foreign Banks or any
Bank regulated by RBI) through SWIFT mechanism may be accepted for the
purpose of verification of documents. The authorized bank official shall be
required to send copies of original documents to the DDP digitally and certify
the authenticity of these documents through authentic free format SWIFT
message types (such as SWIFT MT 599) sent to the DDP.
2.9.3 If any proof of identity or address is in a foreign language, then translation into
English is required.
2.9.4 Name & address of the applicant mentioned on Form, should match with the
documentary proof submitted.
2.9.5 If more than one address is provided, proof shall be enclosed.
2.9.6 The Global Custodian or the Local Custodian may fill the Form, if authorized
through the Power of Attorney (PoA).
2.9.7 In addition to information provided by the client, the intermediaries can rely on
documents / information available from reliable public sources (for e.g. websites
Page 19 of 24of Regulators, Exchanges, SROs, Registrars) while collecting documents /
information required for an FVCI. Attestation of these documents (by way of
mentioning the source of the document and signature against the same) may
be carried out by a duly authorized official of the Intermediary. No further
attestation of such documents is required.
2.9.8 List of people authorized to attest the documents: Notary Public, officials of
Multinational Foreign Banks or any Bank regulated by Reserve Bank of India
(Name, Designation & Seal should be affixed on the copy).
2.10 List of supporting documents:
Proof of Address: - List of documents admissible as Proof of Address:
(Documents having an expiry date should be valid on the date of submission.)
i. Document specifying the address issued by any of the following:
Central/State Government and its Departments, Statutory/Regulatory
Authorities, Tax Authorities such as Passport, Driving license, etc.
Intermediaries may place reliance on address appearing on website of
regulator/ registrar for address proof
ii. Utility bills like Telephone Bill, Electricity bill or Gas bill - Not more than 2
months old.
iii. Bank Account Statement/Passbook/letter -- Not more than 3 months old.
iv. Power of Attorney given by FVCI to Custodians specifying the address (duly
notarized and/or apostilled or consularised).
v. Intermediary may rely on constitutive documents to establish Proof of
residency for multilateral organisations.
Page 20 of 24Annexure -1A
Monthly Applications Report
The report pertaining to a month to be submitted by DDPs to SEBI by 10th of the
following month in the format specified under:
Summary of the applications received and disposed during the month
Name Application Opening Received Disposed Pending Average No. of Reasons
of the type* balance during during as on time taken applications given
DDP the the last day for pending for regarding
month month of month registration registration application(s)
during the for more pending for
month** than 30 more than 30
days of days **
receipt of
application
**
* Indicate application type as
1. Fresh Registration
2. Continuance
** Applicable for application type Fresh Registration only.
Page 21 of 24Annexure-1B
Fee report
1. The report pertaining to a month to be submitted by DDPs to SEBI in the
attached format:
Annexure_1B_Fee_R
eport_Format_p_p.xlsx
2. If a DDP has not granted any registration/renewal of registration during the
previous month, then it is required to send a "Nil" report.
3. The Bank account details to which the payment of foreign inward remittances
is to be done electronically is as follows –
SWIFT FIELD DESCRIPTION INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN
To: Bank Name CITI BANK N.A.
Field 56 Swift Code CITIUS33XXX
(Intermediary bank) Bank Clearing Code FED ABA 021000089
For credit to: Account Number* 36329377
ICICI BANK SWIFT
ICICINBBCTS
CODE
ABA FED Number 021000089
Field 57 Beneficiary Bank ICICI Bank Ltd, Mumbai (India)
Additional details required for crediting a Current Account:
Ultimate
Account Number* 055501001994
beneficiary:
Securities and Exchange Board of
Field 59 Account Name
India
Field 70 Brief Purpose Regulatory / Auxiliary Fees
Field 71A OUR Preferred as "OUR"
4. Or payment can alternatively be made through the following link
https://eazypay.icicibank.com/eazypayLink?P1=aT7WlqPhtdfnIVJVERIrAg==
Page 22 of 245. While making foreign remittances to SEBI towards FVCI registration
fees/renewal fees, the following details may be filled in below mentioned filed:
i. Field 59 Mention Beneficiary's Name, account number and their address.
ii. Field 70 Mention Purpose of Remittance in the wire transfer message
sent by the remitting bank (Registration fee/Renewal fee)
iii. Field 71A Mention (“OUR”) in Field 71A of the swift message.
Page 23 of 24Annexure -1C
Information of intermediate material shareholder/ owner entity illustration:
FVCI ABC, a trust, is held 75% by XYZ Ltd. (intermediate material shareholder/
owner) – therefore XYZ needs to be identified and the identification of underlying
individuals / non-individuals having controlling ownership interest in the FVCI or
control of XYZ should be identified
XYZ is further controlled by PQR fund (trust)– Hence, PQR fund also needs to be
identified on a look through basis.
Mr. ST is holding 35% in PQR fund - So, Mr. ST needs to be identified as BO.
Information of Names of the Percentag Coun Individual
Direct
Intermediate entity(ies) e stake try/N /Non-
/
material through held in the ation Individual
Indire
shareholder/ which the applicant ality
ct
owner- on stake in the
Stake
Ownership basis FVCI is held
Name indirectly
XYZ Ltd. Direct 75 Non-
Individual
Information of Intermediate material shareholder/ owner- on control basis
Name Method of Percentage Country Individual/Non-
Control (Give control on the /Nation Individual
Details including applicant, if ality
names of the applicable
intermediate
structures, if
any, through
which control is
exercised )
PQR Management Non-Individual
fund Share in XYZ Ltd.
Mr. ST Holds 35% shares Individual
of PQR Fund
Page 24 of 24