The NRI Guide to Buying Property in India

Buying residential property in India as an NRI is more straightforward than most people expect. The rules are settled; the friction is administrative.

What you are allowed to buy Under FEMA, Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin may acquire residential and commercial property in India without prior RBI approval. Agricultural land, plantation property and farmhouses are excluded. A residential villa purchase falls squarely inside the permitted category.

How payment must be made In Indian rupees, through normal banking channels only:

• Inward remittance from overseas
• Funds held in an NRE, NRO or FCNR(B) account

Foreign currency notes and travellers cheques are not permitted for property purchase.

Home loans Indian banks and housing finance companies lend to NRIs, generally with repayment routed through NRE or NRO accounts. Loan-to-value, tenure and documentation vary by lender and by your country of residence.

Buying without travelling A Power of Attorney, properly executed and attested at the Indian consulate in your country of residence (or apostilled where applicable), allows a trusted representative to complete formalities on your behalf. Get the drafting right — a narrow, specific POA is safer than a broad one.

Documents usually required Valid passport; OCI or PIO card where applicable; PAN card; overseas address proof; recent photographs; and the bank documentation supporting the source of funds.

Tax and repatriation Stamp duty and registration are payable in the state of purchase — here, Uttarakhand. GST applies to under-construction purchases as per prevailing rules. Rental income is taxable in India and credited to an NRO account, from which repatriation is permitted subject to limits and tax clearance. Sale proceeds repatriation follows its own set of conditions.

None of this is a substitute for advice from a chartered accountant familiar with your residency. Get that advice before you sign, not after.

Buying at Ganga Vana Villas from overseas We run guided video walkthroughs across time zones, share the full documentation set for your lawyer's review, and coordinate with your representative in India through booking and registration.