A Dream That Knows No Borders
Riya Mehta had been living in Dubai for seven years. She built a good life — a steady income, a loving family, and a beautiful apartment overlooking the city skyline. But every time she video-called her mother back in Pune, the same question surfaced in her heart: “Am I doing enough for my daughter’s future back home?”
Her daughter, Aanya, was just three years old. And Riya — like millions of Indian parents living abroad — wanted to wrap her child’s future in something trusted, something guaranteed, something that felt like home even from 3,000 kilometres away.
She wanted LIC.
But then came the doubt. “Can I, as an NRI, even buy an LIC child plan?”
If you are an NRI parent asking the same question, this article is your complete, honest answer.
Yes. NRI Parents Can Absolutely Buy LIC Child Plans
Let’s put the biggest fear to rest first.
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are fully eligible to purchase LIC child insurance plans in India. The Life Insurance Corporation of India officially permits NRIs to buy policies — subject to certain conditions — and millions of Indian families living across the UAE, USA, UK, Canada, Singapore, and Australia have already done so.
According to LIC’s guidelines, NRIs can apply for a child plan either by visiting India during a trip home or through specific overseas processes depending on the country of residence. The key is understanding the rules before you begin, so there are no surprises midway.
What Are the Eligibility Conditions for NRI Parents?
Before you start filling forms, here is what you need to know about eligibility:
Residency Status: You must hold a valid NRI status as defined under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). This includes Indian citizens living abroad for employment, business, or any other purpose for an uncertain duration.
Country of Residence: LIC currently services NRI policies from a wide range of countries including all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and more. However, some countries may have restrictions based on local insurance regulations — it’s always wise to confirm with LIC directly.
Age of the Child: Most LIC child plans accept children from as young as 0 days old (newborn) up to 12–15 years of age, depending on the specific plan chosen. The earlier you start, the better — because time is the greatest gift you can give your child’s financial future.
Premium Payment Currency: NRIs can pay premiums either from their NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts in Indian rupees. Payments from foreign bank accounts via wire transfer are also accepted in many cases.
How Can an NRI Buy an LIC Child Plan?
There are two primary routes available to NRI parents:
Route 1: While Visiting India This is the simplest and most straightforward route. When you come home for a vacation, a festival, or a family visit, you can walk into any LIC branch, meet a licensed LIC agent, complete the proposal form, submit your documents, and get your policy issued. Many NRI parents plan their LIC policy purchase around their annual trip to India precisely because of how smooth this process is.
Route 2: From Abroad LIC has an overseas presence in select countries and also works through authorised agents and financial advisors who handle NRI cases. In some countries, the proposal form can be completed abroad, but the medical examination (if required) may need to happen in India or at an approved centre. A trusted advisor based in India — like a certified LIC agent — can guide you through the paperwork remotely and ensure the policy is issued correctly.
What Documents Does an NRI Need?
The documentation process is straightforward. Here is what you will typically need:
- Valid Indian Passport (copy)
- Proof of NRI status (valid visa, work permit, or residence permit)
- Overseas address proof (utility bill, bank statement, or tenancy agreement)
- Child’s birth certificate
- PAN card of the proposer (parent)
- NRE or NRO bank account details for premium payment
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Medical examination reports (if the sum assured is above a certain threshold)
Having these documents organised before you begin saves time and avoids unnecessary delays.
Which LIC Child Plans Are Available for NRI Parents?
NRI parents can access most of LIC’s popular child-oriented plans. These include:
LIC Jeevan Umang: A whole life plan that provides annual survival benefits and a lump sum at maturity, ideal for parents who want to give their child lifelong financial security. This plan does not “end” — it keeps giving back to your child decade after decade.
LIC New Children’s Money Back Plan: A personal favourite among NRI parents. It provides periodic money-back payouts at ages 18, 20, and 22, exactly when your child needs funds for college fees, entrance coaching, and early career expenses. The final maturity benefit at age 25 creates a substantial corpus for marriage, higher studies, or business capital.
LIC Amritpal: A balanced plan combining protection and savings, with survival benefits at key intervals and a strong maturity corpus. Ideal for parents who want predictable milestones backed by LIC’s trusted guarantee.
LIC Jeevan Tarun: Designed specifically for youth, this plan matures when your child is between 25 and 35 right when life’s biggest decisions and expenses converge. It’s perfect for parents with slightly older children who still want to start a structured plan.
Explore more LIC Policies for Child here – 5 Best LIC Plans for Child – Curated by Top LIC Agent
The Tax Question – What NRI Parents Often Forget to Ask
This is where many NRI parents get confused, and it’s important to understand clearly.
Tax deduction under Section 80C: NRI parents can claim deductions on LIC premiums under Section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act, but only if they have taxable income in India. If your income is entirely foreign-sourced and not taxable in India, the 80C deduction may not directly apply to you. Consulting a qualified tax advisor before investing is always recommended.
Tax exemption on maturity proceeds (Section 10(10D)): The maturity benefits from LIC child plans are tax-free in India, regardless of NRI status — as long as the annual premium does not exceed 10% of the sum assured. This is a significant advantage that makes LIC plans extremely tax-efficient for NRI families.
DTAA (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement): India has DTAA treaties with many countries. Depending on your country of residence, LIC maturity proceeds may also be partially or fully exempt from taxes in your country of residence. Always verify this with a cross-border tax expert.
A Real Story: How One NRI Parent Got It Right
Vikram Nair, an IT professional based in Canada, bought an LIC New Children’s Money Back Plan for his son Arjun when the boy was just 18 months old — during a Diwali trip to Chennai. Vikram paid his premiums annually from his NRO account.
Seventeen years later, when Arjun got into a top engineering college in Bangalore, the first money-back instalment of ₹75,000 arrived right on time — covering his first semester’s hostel and book expenses. “The money was there before I even had to ask,” Vikram told his colleagues. “That’s what LIC does. It keeps its promise even when you’re 10,000 kilometres away.”
That is the power of starting early and choosing right.
The Perfect Time is “Now”!
Education inflation in India is currently running at 10–12% annually. A degree that costs ₹15 lakhs today will cost over ₹50 lakhs in 15 years. Your child’s dreams are not going to pause while you deliberate.
Whether you are in Dubai, Toronto, London, or Singapore — your child’s future is here in India, growing more expensive every single year. The best thing you can do today, from wherever you are in the world, is take that first step.
Reach out to a trusted LIC advisor. Ask about the plans that fit your child’s age and your budget. Start small if you must, but start today.
Because distance is just a number. Your love and your planning can cross any border.
Ramprasad Nadar is a reputed LIC agent and Co-Founder of Child Future Plan, overseeing operations, strategy, and process optimisation. With over 10 years of experience and a client base of 1,000+ families, he specialises in helping parents and young earners achieve both short-term and long-term financial goals through structured investment planning. Beyond work, Ramprasad enjoys exploring new countries and discovering diverse cuisines at local restaurants.