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FAQs on Acquisition of Residential / Commercial Premises in India by Non-Resident Indians ("NRI")

• Who is a NRI under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act?
  Generally, an Indian Citizen who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vocation outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad or a person who is not resident in India for a period over 182 days is a non-resident Indian. Persons posted in U.N. organizations and officials deputed abroad by Central/State Governments and Public Sector undertakings on temporary assignments are also treated as non-residents.
• Do non-resident Indian citizens require permission of Reserve Bank to acquire residential/commercial properly in India?
  No
• Do foreign citizens of Indian origin require permission of Reserve Bank to purchase immovable property in India for their residential use?
  Yes. However, Reserve Bank has granted general permission to foreign citizens of Indian origin, whether resident in India or abroad, to purchase immovable property in India for their bona fide residential purpose. They are, therefore, not required to obtain separate permission of Reserve Bank.
• In what manner the purchase consideration for the residential immovable property should be paid by foreign citizens 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 NTE / FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India.
• The purchase consideration should be met either out of inward remittances in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from NTE / FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India?
  They are required to file a declaration in form IPI 7 with the Central Office of Reserve Bank at Mumbai within a period of 90 days from the date of purchase of immovable property or final payment of purchase consideration along with a certified copy of the document evidencing the transaction and bank certificate regarding the consideration paid.
• Can such property be sold without the permission of Reserve Bank?
  Yes. Reserve Bank has granted general permission for sale of such property. However, where another foreign citizen of Indian origin, funds towards the purchase consideration purchase the property should either be remitted to India or paid out of balances in NRE / FCNR accounts.
• Can sale proceeds of such property if and when sold be remitted out of India?
  In respect of residential properties purchased on or after 26th May, 1993, Reserve Bank considers applications for repatriation of sale proceeds up to the consideration amount remitted in foreign exchange for the acquisition of the property for two such properties. The balance amount of sale proceeds if any or sale proceeds in respect of properties purchased prior to 26th May, 1993, will have to be credited to the ordinary non-resident rupee account of the owner of the property.
• Are any conditions required to be fulfilled if repatriation of sale proceeds is desired?
  Applications for repatriation of sale proceeds are considered provided the sale takes place after three years from the date of final purchase deed or from the date of payment of final instalment of consideration amount, whichever is later.
• What is the procedure for seeking such repatriation?
  Applications for necessary permission for remittance of sale proceeds should be made in form IPI 8 to the Central Office of Reserve Bank at Mumbai within 90 days of the sale of the property.
• Can foreign citizens of Indian origin acquire or dispose of residential property by way of gift?
  Yes. Reserve Bank has granted general permission to foreign citizens of Indian origin to acquire or dispose of properties up to two houses by way of gift from or to a relative who may be an Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin whether resident in India or not, provided gift tax has been paid.
• Can foreign citizens of Indian origin acquire commercial properties in India?
  Yes. Under the general permission granted by Reserve Bank properties other than agricultural land/farm house/plantation property can be acquired by foreign citizens of Indian origin provided the purchase consideration is met either out of inward remittances in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from the purchasers' NRE/FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India and a declaration is submitted to the Central Office of Reserve Bank in form IPI 7 within a period of 90 days from the date of purchase of the property/final payment of purchase consideration.
• Can they dispose of such properties?
  Yes.
• Can sale proceeds of such property be remitted out of India?
  Yes. Repatriation of original investment in respect of properties purchased by foreign citizens of Indian origin on or after 26th May 1993 will be allowed to be remitted up to the consideration amount originally remitted from abroad provided the property is sold after a period of three years from the date of the final purchase deed or from the date of payment of final installment of consideration amount, whichever is later. Applications for the purpose are required to be made to the Central Office of Reserve Bank within 90 days of the sale of property in form IPI 8.
• Can the properties (residential/commercial) be given on rent if not required for immediate use?
  Yes. Reserve Bank has granted general permission for letting out of any immovable property in India. The rental income or proceeds of any investment of such income have to be credited to NRO account.
• Can NRIs obtain loans for acquisition of a house/flat for residential purpose from financial institutions providing housing finance?
  Reserve Bank has granted general permission to certain financial institutions providing housing finance e.g. HDFC,LIC Housing Finance Ltd. etc. to grant housing loans to non-resident Indian nationals for acquisition of houses/flats for self-occupation subject to certain conditions.
• Can authorized dealer grant loans to NRIs for acquisition of a flat/house for residential purposes?
  Authorized dealers have been granted permission to grant loans up to non-resident Indian nationals for acquisition of house/flat for self-occupation on their return to India subject to certain conditions. Repayment of the loan should be made within a period not exceeding 15 years out of inward remittance through banking channels or out of funds held in the investments' NRE / FCNR accounts.
• Can Indian companies grant loans to their NRI staff?
  Reserve Bank permits Indian firms/companies to grant housing loans to their employees deputed abroad and holding Indian passport subject to certain conditions. Source: Reserve Bank of India
• What are the options available for obtaining guarantors while applying for a HDFC/LIC loan?
  One will need a guarantor for a loan mainly for collateral security. The guarantor will have to demonstrate appropriate net worth to cover for the loan. Usually one can have a guarantor in any city where the loan issuer has a branch. Talk to loan issuers they will work something out for NRIs and foreign banks.
• While purchasing real estate most developers demand a Power of Attorney in their favour, is there a way to avoid it?
  One can choose not to grant the Power of Attorney (POA) to the developers. However this will mandate the mailing of all documents to your foreign residence and associated time delays. A good compromise is to grant the POA to the builder only for specific necessary items.