How to invest in India if you're a Canadian NRI?

I have been looking everywhere to find a bank or investment company that will offer its investment services to Canadian residents, however I have had no luck as all services are offered to those living in the Middle East. Is there any company online that is willing to allow Canadian NRIs to invest in Indian shares?

If you want to invest in a company and it is listed on the stock exchange, you can do that through your local bank or broker, you don't need to do it through an Indian bank.

Alternatively, you need to open an offshore account, which you can do if you work overseas and have the relevant documentation from your country of employment.

Technically there's nothing stopping you from investing in India (except for certain limitations on investing in land) as a Canadian NRI.

And, I'm surprised there aren't more firms providing this service for Canadians, as I know many British NRIs who are happily able to do this.

Unfortunately I can't give you the names of specific firms that will do this for you. However, there is another piece of information that may be interesting for you - India has recently started allowing NRIs to apply for Indian Citizenship (under certain condition), as long as their resident country will allow them dual citizenship.

I know the Canadians allow this, so it may be worth finding out more as this option basically gives you almost all the same rights as a resident Indian citizen, except for voting rights. Check out the website for the Indian High Commission in Canada, and they will have more info & probably downloadable pdf application forms. However, be sure you understand all the full implications of dual citizenship before you apply (if you're interested, that is) - there are downsides too...