Imagine being part of the company that powers the very phone in your hand and is now stepping into AI-driven cars. What if you could own a slice of that future from India?
Almost half a century ago, when phones were mostly landline tied to a fixed location, a group of seven engineers got an idea to transform the mobility and connectivity by launching ‘QUALity COMMunications.’ What’s surprisingly is that all of these founders were once colleagues and worked together at Linkabit.
When most people are working on the existing technology, Qualcomm founders followed the dominant Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) model; they pursued Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a then-controversial technology that allowed multiple signals to occupy the same frequency band.
From wireless communication to now innovating in the field of AI automotive intelligence, if you want to be a part of Qualcomm’s journey, you must be wondering how you can invest in Qualcomm stock from India. Well, the answer is Vested.
About Qualcomm, Inc.
Although a global leader in wireless technology, Qualcomm is redefining its role in the semiconductor ecosystem. The company is expanding into automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) domains. One of Qualcomm’s key offerings includes Snapdragon, which powers mobile devices, laptops, wearables, and XR headsets. Its QCT technology plays a key role in connectivity solutions, edge AI processing, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Qualcomm is listed on NASDAQ under the ticker name ‘QCOM.’ In the span of five years, Qualcomm’s share price surged by 38%. That means five years ago, when Qualcomm was around $120 and the Indian rupee was around ₹73, if you had purchased 20 shares, you would have invested ₹1,75,200. If you sold the same in September 2025 at the price of $165, you would have made a profit of ₹1,11,900.
Moving to the financials, here is a quick overview:
- Qualcomm reported a gross profit of USD 21,902 million in 2024, down 9.33% compared to 2023.
- The net income after accounting for extraordinary items and discontinued business operations stood at $10,142 million in 2024, compared to $7,339 million in 2023.
- As of 2025, Qualcomm has 1130 diluted weighted average outstanding shares.
Qualcomm faces tough competition from several US-listed tech giants. Its key rivals include Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, and Broadcom in semiconductors; Apple and Google in mobile chip integration; and Microsoft and Meta in AI and connectivity platforms.
Steps to Invest in Qualcomm Stocks
You have two options to invest in Qualcomm shares.
Direct Investment
In this, you can directly invest in the shares of Qualcomm. Since, as of September 2025, Qualcomm’s share price is around $165, it might not be possible for you to pay thousands of Indian rupees to buy one share. This is where Vested comes in, allowing you to invest in Qualcomm or any other listed US stocks with just $1 and enjoy fractional ownership.
Indirect Investment
If you prefer diversification and want to minimise the impact of risk associated with concentrated holdings in a single company stock, you can invest via mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that have Qualcomm in their portfolio. Well, Vested allows you to make both of these indirect investments as well.
Can Indians Invest in Qualcomm Stocks?
Yes, as an Indian resident, you can invest in QCOM stocks in accordance with the provisions of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Introduced by the Reserve Bank of India, the LRS defines the maximum amount you can remit to the US, and according to the current threshold limit, it is $250,000.
Another rule states that to invest in listed US stocks, you need to place your order either through an international brokerage platform or an Indian broker that is partnered with US firms.
If you are looking for a trusted Indian broker partnered with US firms, Vested is your one-stop solution. To begin, complete the KYC formalities for registration, link your Indian bank account with the portal, and fund it using Indian rupees. The portal will then convert the rupees into USD without any manual intervention. You can now begin investing.
How to Buy Qualcomm Stock on Vested (Step-by-Step)
Here is how you can invest in Qualcomm shares from India:
- Step 1: Download the Vested App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, depending on your device. You can also sign up directly on the website.
- Step 2: Enter your KYC details and upload scanned copies of the supporting documents.
- Step 3: Link your Indian bank account to the Vested app and fund the same in Indian rupees. The platform will automatically convert your deposits into USD as per the RBI’s LRS rules.
- Step 4: Tap on the search bar and type ‘Qualcomm’ to view stock details.
- Step 5: Scroll down the screen, tap on the ‘Buy’ option, and enter the amount. Since Vested allows fractional ownership, you can enter any amount you wish to invest.
- Step 6: Confirm your order.
- Step 7: Re-login, and the details of your investment will appear at the top.
How to Sell Adobe Stock
You can sell Qualcomm shares by following the four simple steps outlined below:
- Step 1: Open the Vested App on your smartphone and log in using your credentials.
- Step 2: Go to your portfolio and tap on ‘Qualcomm.’
- Step 3: Enter the number of shares you want to sell. Alternatively, enter the amount in USD you want to withdraw from the profit of your Qualcomm holdings.
- Step 4: Click ‘Confirm,’ and the transaction will appear in your Vested dashboard within a few seconds.
Note: With Vested, you can either choose to keep the funds from redeeming Qualcomm holdings on the platform itself for future investments or opt for withdrawal. If you choose the latter, it takes up to two days for the amount to be credited to your Indian bank account.
5 Things to Know Before Investing in Qualcomm Stocks
Before you invest in a Qualcomm share, know the following rules:
- Capital Gains: If, by selling Qualcomm shares, you make a profit of over ₹1.25 lakhs, it attracts long-term capital gains tax of 12.5% if the transaction is made 24 months from the date of acquisition. If the sale is made before 24 months, the profit is taxed as per your income tax slab.
- Mandatory Disclosure: Any investment in US-listed stocks, regardless of the number of shares and profit or loss on your holdings, must be disclosed under Schedule FA (Foreign Assets) while filing ITR. If the total profit from your foreign investment exceeds ₹50 lakhs, you must report it under Schedule AL (Assets and Liabilities) to avoid a penalty.
- Currency Conversion: As per Rule 115 of the Income Tax Act, any earnings you receive in US dollars must be converted into Indian rupees using the State Bank of India Telegraphic Transfer rate on the last day of the month preceding the month in which it is received.
- Tax Collection at Source: If, in the financial year, your total remittances exceed ₹10 lakhs, a TCS of 10% is applied. However, you can claim a refund for the same using Form 12BAA at the time of filing returns.
- Taxation on Dividends: If Qualcomm declares a dividend, it will credit the dividend to your account after deducting a 25% withholding tax. However, under the India-US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), you can claim a refund by submitting Form 67 when filing your taxes.
Conclusion
Investing in US-listed stocks has been made simple by Vested. With a simple registration process and easy linking of your Indian bank account to the platform, you can start investing in US equities by loading rupees onto the Vested platform, which automatically converts them into dollars. The best part is, regardless of the share price, you only need $1, which equals around ₹87, to get started with fractional ownership
Frequently Asked Questions
How to invest in Qualcomm shares from India?
You can invest in Qualcomm stocks via the Vested platform. To begin, you need to register on the platform by completing the KYC formalities. Once verified, link your Indian bank account and fund the platform with Indian currency, which will automatically be converted into US dollars. You can now invest in Qualcomm or any US-listed company stock you want.
How much can I invest in Qualcomm stock?
As per the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of the RBI, in any financial year, your total investment value must not exceed $250,000. This amount is inclusive of any money you remit for travel, education, or gift purposes. The minimum investment you can make if you are using the Vested platform is $1, which translates to around ₹87.
Is it mandatory to have a US bank account to invest in Qualcomm shares?
Absolutely not. Vested allows you to make investments using your Indian bank account and Indian currency. Once you load the platform with rupees, Vested will convert them into US dollars.
Is investing in Qualcomm shares risky?
Like any other listed stock, Qualcomm’s share price can fluctuate due to federal policies, corporate events, financial results reporting, political events, and global crises. It is important to keep track of how each event affects your returns.
Are returns from selling Qualcomm shares taxable?
Yes, profit from Qualcomm shares is subject to a long-term capital gains tax of 12.5%, provided that the sale is made more than 24 months after the date of acquisition and the gains exceed 12.5%. If sold within 24 months, it is taxed according to your applicable tax slab.
