Buying property in India as an NRI is straightforward once your paperwork is in order. Here's the standard checklist.
Identity & status documents
- Passport (and visa / work permit) — proof of NRI status.
- OCI/PIO card if you hold one.
- PAN card — mandatory for property registration and tax in India.
- Overseas address proof (utility bill, driving licence, etc.) and passport-size photographs.
Financial documents
- NRE / NRO / FCNR bank account — all payments for the property must go through normal banking channels from these accounts. You cannot pay in foreign currency cash.
- Bank statements and, if taking a loan, income/employment proof from abroad.
If you can't be present
Give a registered Power of Attorney (PoA) to a trusted person in India. The PoA should be executed and attested at the Indian Embassy/Consulate in your country, then adjudicated/stamped in India.
Property-side checks
- Title deed, parent documents and Encumbrance Certificate (EC).
- Patta/Chitta (for land) and approved plan / RERA registration (for apartments).
What you can buy: residential and commercial property — not agricultural land, plantations or farmhouses (unless inherited).
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules (FEMA, income tax, TDS, stamp duty) change and depend on your situation — please confirm current rules with a qualified chartered accountant, lawyer or the relevant authority before acting.