NRI guide · 4 min read
Can NRIs buy property in India? What is allowed and what is not
Yes. Non-resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India can buy residential and commercial property in India without a separate permission from the Reserve Bank of India. The rules sit under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, usually called FEMA, and they are far simpler than most buyers expect.
What you can buy
- Apartments, villas, row houses and builder floors for residential use.
- Commercial property such as offices and shops.
- Plots within an approved residential or commercial layout, in line with the local development rules.
What needs special care or is not allowed
- Agricultural land, plantation property and farmhouses cannot be bought by an NRI or OCI directly under the general rules.
- Property inherited from a resident, or gifted by a relative, follows a separate route. Ask an advocate before assuming anything.
- Some states add their own conditions on land use and registration.
How the purchase is paid
Payments normally go through banking channels, either an inward remittance from abroad or funds in an NRE, NRO or FCNR account. Cash, travellers cheques and foreign currency notes are not accepted for property payments. Keep the bank record for every instalment. You will need it later for repatriation and tax filing.
Where to begin
Start by shortlisting RERA-registered projects, then verify each registration on the state RERA website before you pay anything. Our project pages show the registration details and link to the official portal. For a private walkthrough of the price sheet and floor plans, book a virtual meeting.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules are updated from time to time, so confirm the current position with your bank or an advocate before you commit.
Want a private walkthrough?
Compare RERA-registered projects with the exact price sheet and floor plans, on a video call at a time that suits your time zone.