NRI Corner

Person of Indian Origin (PIO) (not being a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh or Sri Lanka or Afghanistan or China or Iran or Nepal or Bhutan), who.

• At any time, held Indian passport, or
• Who or either of whose father or whose grandfather was a citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955).

(a) Any person of full age and capacity:

• Who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time
• Who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the
• Who is a citizen of another country, but belongs to a territory that became part of India
• Who is a child of such a citizen, or

(b) A person, who is minor child of a person mentioned in clause (a) Provided that no person, who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India. after, the commencement of the constitution, or time of the commencement of the constitution, or after the 15th Day of August, 1947.

• Pan card (Permanent account number)
• OCI/PIO card (In case of OCI/PIO)
• Passport (In case of NRI)
• Passport size photographs

Under the general permission available, the following categories can purchase immovable property in India:

• Non-Resident Indian (NRI)
• Person of Indian Origin (PIO)

The general permission, however, covers only purchase of residential and commercial property and is not available for purchase of agricultural land / plantation property / farm house in India.

No.

No. An NRI / PIO who has purchased residential / commercial property under general permission, is not required to file any documents/reports with the Reserve Bank.

There are no restrictions on the number of residential / commercial properties that can be purchased.

No.

No. A foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India cannot purchase any immovable property in India unless such property is acquired by way of inheritance from a person who was resident in India. However, he / she can acquire or transfer immovable property in India, on lease, not exceeding five years. In such cases, there is no requirement of taking any permission of /or reporting to the Reserve Bank.

Yes, a foreign national who is a ‘person resident in India’ within the meaning of Section 2(v) of FEMA, 1999 can purchase immovable property in India, but the person concerned would have to obtain the approvals and fulfil the requirements, if any, prescribed by other authorities, such as, the State Government concerned, etc. The onus to prove his/her residential status is on the individual as per the extant FEMA provisions, if required by any authority. However, a foreign national resident in India who is a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal and Bhutan would require prior approval of the Reserve Bank.

(a) Yes, NRIs and PIOs can freely acquire immovable property by way of gift either from

• A person resident in India; or
• A NRI; or
• A PIO.

However, the property can only be commercial or residential in nature. Agricultural land / plantation property / farm house in India cannot be acquired by way of gift.

(b) A foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India cannot acquire any immovable property in India by way of gift.

Yes, a person resident outside India i.e. i) an NRI; ii) a PIO; and iii) a foreign national of non-Indian origin can inherit and hold immovable property in India from a person who was resident in India.

Yes.

(a) NRI / PIO may gift residential / commercial property to –

• Person resident in India or
• A NRI or
• A PIO

(b) A foreign national of non-Indian origin requires the prior approval of the Reserve Bank for gifting the residential / commercial property.

i) NRI / PIO can mortgage a residential / commercial property to:

• An Authorised Dealer / the housing finance institution in India without the approval of Reserve Bank
• A bank abroad, with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank.

ii) A foreign national of non-Indian origin can mortgage a residential / commercial property only with prior approval of the Reserve Bank.

iii) A foreign company which has established a Branch Office or other place of business in accordance with FERA/FEMA regulations has general permission to mortgage the property with an Authorised Dealer in India.

Payment can be made by NRI / PIO out of:

• Funds remitted to India through normal banking channels or
• Funds held in NRE / FCNR (B) / NRO account maintained in India

No payment can be made either by traveler’s cheque or by foreign currency notes or by other mode except those specifically mentioned above.