NRI Guidelines
Non-Resident Indians do not require any permission to acquire immovable properties in India. Foreign Nationals of Indian origin are required to file a declaration in form IP1-7 with the Reserve Bank at Mumbai within 90 days from the date of purchase. Permission is normally granted without any difficulty. All purchases should be met either out of inward remittance in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from NRE/FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India.
Such properties can be given on rent for immediate residential use. However, such income cannot be remitted abroad. Non- Resident Indians can effect the purchase through a representative staying in India provided he holds a power of attorney executed on a stamp paper before authorities in foreign countries. Power of attorney cannot be drafted on the stamp paper bought in India.
Requirements
- Employment contract in English or English translation attested by Indian Embassy
- Latest salary slip
- Latest work permit
- Identity card issued by current employers
- Visa stamped on the passport
- Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) if applicable
- Overseas bank account statement for the last four months
- Property related documents
- Receipt of payments made for the purchase of dwelling units
- Copy of the approved drawings
- Copy of the agreement for sale/sale deed
- Allotment letter from the promoters
- Power of attorney
NRI Faqs
Are Foreign Nationals of Indian origin allowed to purchase immovable property in India
Yes, Foreign nationals of Indian origin, whether resident in India or abroad, have been granted general permission to purchase immovable property in India.
Do non–resident Indian nationals require permission of the Reserve Bank to acquire residential/Commercial property in India?
No permission is required by non-resident Indian nationals to acquire immovable property in India.
What should be the method of payment for purchasing residential immovable property in India by Foreign Nationals of Indian origin under the general permission?
The purchase consideration should be met either out of inward remittances in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from NRE/FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India.
For Non-resident Indians staying abroad, can the property be purchased through an agent or through power of attorney?
Non-resident Indians who are staying abroad may enter into an agreement through their relatives and/or by executing the Power of Attorney in their favour as it is not possible for them to be present for completing the formalities of purchase (negotiating with the builder or Developer, drafting and signing of agreements, taking possessions, etc) These formalities can be completed through some known person who can be given the Power of Attorney for this purpose. Power of Attorney should be executed on the stamp paper before the proper authorities in foreign countries. Power of Attorney cannot be drafted on the stamp paper bought in India.
Can such residential property be given on rent if not required for immediate residential use?
Yes
Can the rental income from such property be remitted outside India?
No. Such income cannot be remitted abroad and will have to be credited to the ordinary non-resident rupee account of the owner of the property.
Are there any formalities to be completed by foreign nationals of Indian origin for purchasing residential immovable property in India?
They are required to file a declaration in form IPI 7 with the Central Office of Reserve Bank at Bombay within a period of 90 days from the date of puchase of Immovable property.
Can a non-resident repatriate the sale proceeds of immovable property in India?
As Per RBI Regulations
(a) A person who has acquired the property U/s 6(5) of FEMA or his successor cannot repatriate the sale proceeds of such property without RBI approval.
(b) Repatriation up to USD 1 million per financial year is allowed, along with other assets under (Foreign Exchange Management (Remittance of Assets) Regulations, 2016) for NRIs/ PIOs and a foreign citizen (except Nepal/ Bhutan/ PIO) who has (i) inherited from a person referred to in section 6(5) of FEMA, or (ii) retired from employment in India or(c) is a non-resident widow/ widower and has inherited assets from her/ his deceased spouse who was an Indian national resident in India.
(a) A person who has acquired the property U/s 6(5) of FEMA or his successor cannot repatriate the sale proceeds of such property without RBI approval.
(b) Repatriation up to USD 1 million per financial year is allowed, along with other assets under (Foreign Exchange Management (Remittance of Assets) Regulations, 2016) for NRIs/ PIOs and a foreign citizen (except Nepal/ Bhutan/ PIO) who has (i) inherited from a person referred to in section 6(5) of FEMA, or (ii) retired from employment in India or(c) is a non-resident widow/ widower and has inherited assets from her/ his deceased spouse who was an Indian national resident in India.