How to buy AbbVie (ABBV) stock from India

Yes, an Indian resident can buy AbbVie — legally, in US dollars, under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). ABBV trades on NYSE. It pays a quarterly dividend (~3.5% yield). AbbVie is the Humira post-LOE recovery story in pharma — having navigated the January 2023 US biosimilar entry, it is now growing through Skyrizi and Rinvoq (both running faster than Humira ever did at peak) and through the Allergan aesthetic medicine portfolio (Botox, Juvederm).

The 30-second version

• Legal and simple. Buy ABBV via Vested, INDmoney, or Interactive Brokers India.
• Quarterly dividend (~3.5%). File Form W-8BEN for 15% DTAA withholding; claim FTC via Form 44.
• India tax on gains: hold more than 24 months → 12.5% LTCG (Section 112); shorter hold → slab rate.
• Estate-tax trap: above $60,000 US-situs → up to 40% US estate tax; no treaty relief.
• The position: ABBV proved the post-LOE model works — Skyrizi + Rinvoq combined peak revenue guidance ($31B+ by 2027) already exceeds Humira's $21B peak. The stock re-rates as the biosimilar-cliff overhang fades. Allergan aesthetics adds a consumer-facing business with less regulatory risk.

Quick facts

Ticker / exchange	ABBV / NYSE
Dividend	~$1.64/quarter (~3.5% annual yield)
India tax on gains	12.5% LTCG after 24 months; else slab (Section 112)
Dividend tax	15% US WHT (DTAA) + Indian slab; FTC via Form 44
Estate-tax risk	US-situs above $60k → up to 40%
Annual compliance	Schedule FA every year you hold

What AbbVie actually is

Skyrizi (risankizumab): IL-23 inhibitor for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease. Approved in multiple indications across the US, EU, and Japan. Running at a $12B+ annual revenue rate in 2025 and still growing.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib): JAK1 inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's. Running at $6B+ annual revenue and growing. Together with Skyrizi, the immunology replacement story is complete.

Allergan aesthetics: AbbVie acquired Allergan in 2020 for $63B. This gives AbbVie Botox (therapeutic and cosmetic), Juvederm (dermal filler), Kybella, and SkinMedica. The aesthetic medicine business is a premium consumer healthcare franchise largely insulated from formulary pricing pressure.

Neuroscience: Vraylar (cariprazine) for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, and Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) for migraine — growing specialty neuropsychiatry portfolio.

Humira legacy: US Humira revenue is declining rapidly post-biosimilar entry, but international Humira (especially EU where biosimilar competition is older) remains a cash flow contributor.

Tax and compliance

Capital gains: 12.5% LTCG after 24 months; slab for shorter holds. Dividend: 15% US WHT (W-8BEN) + Indian slab; FTC via Form 44. Schedule FA mandatory.

Full rules: how US stocks are taxed in India. Estate-tax: guide.

ABBV vs MRK vs JNJ

If you want…	Best route
Humira replacement growth, Allergan aesthetics	ABBV
Keytruda + SC migration + Daiichi ADC pipeline	MRK
Post-Kenvue diversified pharma/medtech	JNJ
Full pharma picture	Pharma & GLP-1 stocks guide