Ω NRI

An Indian Citizen who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vacation outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad is a non-resident. (Persons posted in U.N. organizations and officials deputed abroad by Central/ State Government and Public Sector Undertakings on temporary assignments are also treated as non-resident) Non-resident foreign citizens of Indian Origin are treated on par with non-resident Indian citizens.

For Investment in immovable properties

A foreign citizen (other than a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri lanka or Nepal), is deemed to be of Indian origin if,
(i) he held an Indian passport at any time, OR
(ii) he or his father or paternal grand-father was a citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955 ( 57 of 1955).

------ FAQs

1. Do non-resident Indian citizens require permission of Reserve Bank to acquire residential/ commercial properly in India?
2. Do foreign citizens of Indian origin require permission of Reserve Bank to purchase immovable property in India for their residential use?
3. In what manner the purchase consideration for the residential immovable property should be paid by foreign citizens of Indian origin under the general permission?
4.What are the formalities required to be completed by foreign citizens of Indian origin for purchasing residential immovable property in India under the general permission.
5. Can such property be sold without the permission of Reserve Bank?
6. Can sale proceeds of such property if and when sold be remitted out of India?
7. Are any conditions required to be fulfilled if repatriation of sale proceeds is desired?
8. What is the procedure for seeking such repatriation?
9. Can foreign citizens of Indian origin acquire or dispose of residential property by way of gift?
10. Can foreign citizens of Indian origin acquire commercial properties in India?
11.Can they dispose of such properties?
12. Can sale proceeds of such property be remitted out of India?
13. Can the properties (residential/commercial) be given on rent if not required for immediate use?
14. Can NRIs obtain loans for acquisition of a house/flat for residential purpose from financial institutions providing housing finance?
15.Can authorized dealer grant loans to NRIs for acquisition of a flat/house for residential purposes?
16.Can Indian companies grant loans to their NRI staff?
17. What are the options available for obtaining guarantors while applying for a HDFC/LIC loan
18. While purchasing real estate most developers demand a Power of Attorney in their favor, is there a way to avoid it?

------ ADDITIONALS DETAILS

Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India by a person resident outside India

These FAQ's have been prepared in order to address various issues relating to acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by a person resident outside India under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. These FAQs seek to cover the broad spectrum of issues relating to acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by a non-resident Indian (NRI) or a foreign national of Indian origin (PIO) or a foreign national of non-Indian origin as also by a person resident in India who is not a citizen of India.

1. Regulations/Directions issued by Reserve Bank of India.
2. Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of purchase by a person resident outside India.
3. Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of gift by a person resident outside India
4. Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of inheritance by a person resident outside India
5. Transfer of immovable property in India by way of sale by a person resident outside India
6. Regulations/Directions issued by Reserve Bank of India

------ FAQs

1. Where can one find regulations/directions issued by Reserve Bank for acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by a person resident outside India?

---- Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of purchase by a person resident outside India

1. Under the extant foreign exchange regulations to whom is general permission available for purchase immovable property in India?
2. Who is a Person of Indian Origin (PIO)?
3.Is NRI/PIO who has purchased residential/commercial property under general permission required to file any documents with Reserve Bank of India?
4.Is there any restriction on number of residential/commercial property that NRI/PIO can purchase under the general permission available?
5.Can a name of a foreign national of non-Indian origin be added as a second holder to a residential/commercial property purchased by NRI/PIO?
6. Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India acquire any immovable property in India by way of purchase?
7.Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin acquire residential property on a lease in India?
8. Can a person resident outside India (i.e. a NRI or a PIO or a foreign national of non-Indian origin) acquire agricultural land/plantation property/farm house in India by way of purchase?

---------- Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of gift by a person resident outside India

1. Can NRI/PIO acquire residential/commercial property by way of gift under the general permission available?
2. A foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India acquire residential/commercial in India by way of gift?
3. Can a person resident outside India (i.e. a NRI or a PIO or a foreign national of non-Indian origin) acquire agricultural land/plantation property/farm house in India by way of gift?

--------- Acquisition of immovable property in India by way of inheritance by a person resident outside India.

1. Can a person resident outside India (i.e. NRI or PIO or foreign national of non-Indian origin) hold any immovable property in India acquired by way of inheritance from a person resident in India?
2. Can a person resident outside India (i.e. NRI or PIO or foreign national of non-Indian origin) hold any immovable property in India acquired by way of inheritance from a person resident outside India?

------------ Transfer of immovable property in India by way of sale by a person resident outside India.

1. Under general permission available to whom can NRI transfer by way of sale his residential/commercial property?
2. Under general permission available to whom can a PIO transfer his residential/commercial property by way of sale?
3. Can a PIO transfer by way of sale his residential/commercial property to a NRI or a PIO?
4.Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin whether resident in India or outside India transfer by way of sale residential/property in India acquired with the specific permission of Reserve Bank to a person resident in India or outside India?
5. Under general permission available to whom can NRI/PIO transfer by way of sale his agricultural land/plantation property/farm house in India?
6.Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India transfer by way of sale agricultural land/plantation property/farm house acquired by him in India?

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