Can you buy property in India if you are not a citizen ? (2024)

Home |Property Registration |Can you buy property in India if you are not a citizen ?


Answered on April 04,2021

Yes

  1. Foreign national resident in India can purchase any immovable property in India. This is because once he is a resident in India, he gets the rights like any other resident. This freedom is however not available to citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal, and Bhutan.

  2. A foreign company that has established a Branch Office in India, in accordance with FERA / FEMA regulations, can also acquire immovable property in India. However, it must be necessary to carry on his/her business hence the whip is being cracked on those using this as a loophole to acquire residential property to live in or rent.

  3. Non-Resident Indians (NRI), whether Indian citizens or foreign citizens of Indian origin can own any number of property in India other than agricultural land/plantation property/farmhouse

  4. A foreign national of Indian origin is "any person who or either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents was born in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935" or any person who held an Indian passport at any given time can own any number of property in India.

Foreigners are not eligible to purchase immovable property under the following category

  1. Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin resident outside India cannot buy any immovable property in India. Unless they satisfy the residency requirement of 183 days in a financial year (a tourist visa lasts for 180 days). It is also illegal to buy property on a tourist visa.

Property cannot purchase jointly in the name of one eligible person with one non-eligible person. That means a non-resident Indian (NRI) or foreign national of Indian origin (PIO) cannot buy a property jointly with a foreigner

Lease is other possible option for ineligible person (foreign nationals of non-Indian origin and citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal and Bhutan) can acquire residential (not commercial) accommodation on lease not exceeding five years. However, such property has been sold to foreigners, particularly in Goa and Bangalore, where prices are cheap and developers are plentiful, on 5 year leases. The buyers won´t get title to the property until they can obtain residency, which is what most of them intend to do eventually.

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Can you buy property in India if you are not a citizen ? (2024)

FAQs

Can you buy property in India if you are not a citizen ? ›

Can NRI Buy Property in India? Yes, a Non-Resident Indian or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is fully eligible to buy property in India and does not need any special permission to purchase a property. However, contrary to popular belief, NRIs are not allowed to buy all types of properties as Resident Indians can.

Can you own property in India if you are not a citizen? ›

In India, foreign nationals are not allowed to own property unless they fulfil the residency requirement of 182 days per fiscal year. Foreign nationals living in India can, however, purchase a home there without the RBI's clearance.

Can you buy land in India without citizenship? ›

Absolutely, a Non-Resident Indian is permitted to purchase real estate in India, such as residential land and flats to homes; however, agricultural land, plantation areas, or farmhouses cannot be acquired. An NRI is defined as someone of Indian citizenship residing outside the country's borders.

Can a Non-Resident Indian buy property in India? ›

As an NRI, you can buy commercial or real estate properties in India. You must provide a Notarised PoA for property purchase. You are eligible to receive tax benefits on your real estate investments. You can avail of loans through NRE or NRO accounts and repay EMIs in INR.

Can you buy a house and not be a citizen? ›

It is entirely possible to purchase a home as a non-U.S. citizen — whether you're a foreign national or a permanent or a temporary resident. There are no limitations on the type of property that can be purchased or how the property is used.

Can an American own a house in India? ›

A foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India cannot buy any immovable property in India. It is illegal for foreign nationals to own property in India unless they satisfy the residency requirement of 183 days in a financial year (a tourist visa lasts for 180 days).

Can an American inherit property in India? ›

A Non-Resident Indian or a Foreign national such as UK, US or Canadian citizens can inherit the property in India from anyone including their relatives. The NRI can inherit property in India even from another NRI, subject to certain conditions.

Can I buy property in India from USA? ›

As an NRI buying property in India, you're free to purchase most types of real estate. Residential and commercial properties are both approved for NRI and PIO purchases, as long as the process follows FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) rules¹.

Can a US citizen sell property in India? ›

If you have land for sale in India, you may only sell it to a resident of India. NRIs are not allowed to purchase or own agricultural land in India. However, if you purchased the land while you were a resident of India, you may sell it as an NRI, but only to Indian residents.

Can US citizens have Aadhar card in India? ›

YES. An NRI (whether minor or adult) with a valid Indian Passport can apply for Aadhaar from any Aadhaar Kendra. If your passport has the name of your spouse, then it can be used as Proof of Address for them.

Can we register land in India from USA? ›

NRIs can register property from abroad, as long as they carry out all of their transactions in Indian rupee through local banks. This would indicate that these foreign investors would have to create an NRI account with a reputable Indian bank.

Do NRI pay property tax in India? ›

Some property compliances can't be avoided whether an NRI is purchasing or selling the property. Property tax is a recurring levy that a property holder, whether a citizen of India or an NRI, pays yearly to the municipality.

Can a NRI buy property in India from USA without visiting India? ›

Other than this, an NRI can buy as many properties in India as he/she wishes. However, if an NRI cannot visit India to purchase the property, an individual with valid power of attorney will have to do so in behalf of that NRI. NRIs can own any number of properties in India as he/she wants to.

Why does the US allow foreigners to buy property? ›

Because the US has no citizenship requirement for real estate sales, non-US citizens can buy property in the US. In fact, foreigners can even qualify for a mortgage if they meet certain requirements. However, foreign property owners do face a more challenging tax situation than US citizens.

Can you buy a house in another country without being a citizen? ›

Individual countries have the right to place restrictions on non-citizens who want to own properties. Even if the country you're interested in allows foreigners to buy homes, you may be required to obtain special residence permits or register with a government agency before you can complete a home purchase.

Can a US citizen buy a house? ›

Can a non-permanent resident buy a house in the U.S.? Yes, it is possible for a non-permanent resident to buy a house in the United States.

Can I sell property in India and bring money to USA? ›

How much money can be transferred from India to the USA? The US authorities do not impose a limit on the amount of money you can send from India. However, you may need to report high value payments to the IRS using IRS Form 3520.

Can I buy a home in India? ›

Can foreigners buy real estate in India? Ans. Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin residing outside India are not permitted to acquire any immovable property in India unless such property is acquired by way of inheritance from a person who was resident in India.

Can OCI holders own property in India? ›

As per the guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India, an NRI or OCI card holder can invest in any residential or commercial property. The guidelines also state that one can buy any number of residential or commercial properties.

Is inheritance in India taxable in USA? ›

No, the IRS does not impose taxes on foreign inheritance or gifts if the recipient is a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

Is an American will valid in India? ›

A foreign will, once proved and deposited in a court of competent jurisdiction, or a properly authenticated copy of the will and letters of administration will be recognised by the Indian Courts.

How to get power of attorney to buy property in India from USA? ›

Steps for Creating a Power of Attorney
  1. STEP 1: Write the power of attorney on plain paper. Sign the power of attorney. ...
  2. STEP 3: FOR PROPERTY AND FINANCES. ...
  3. STEP 4:FEES Pay the fee at the Consulate. ...
  4. STEP 5: Once your power of attorney is attested by the Indian Consulate/Embassy you can send it to India.

How much tax does a US citizen pay to sell property in India? ›

Tax implications of selling property in India as a NRI

If you're selling a property as a NRI, the buyer will be required to retain tax deducted at source (TDS) of 20% of the capital gain in most cases. If you've owned the property for less than 2 years, you may need to pay 30% capital gains tax.

Can a US citizen own property in another country? ›

Owning Foreign Real Estate as an Individual

United States citizens should note that they must file Form 8938 if they have significant assets outside of the United States, yet foreign real estate is not required to be reported.

Do US citizens have to pay taxes on foreign property? ›

Do US Citizens Have to Pay Taxes on Foreign Property? All US citizens must file a yearly tax return regardless of where they live in the world. When filing your return, you must report your worldwide income. This includes any gain or loss from selling a foreign property and rental income.

How can I avoid tax on property sale in India? ›

Exemptions from your Gains that Save Tax Section 54F (applicable in case its a long term capital asset)
  1. Purchase one house within 1 year before the date of transfer or 2 years after that.
  2. Construct one house within 3 years after the date of transfer.
  3. You do not sell this house within 3 years of purchase or construction.
Mar 27, 2023

Can an American get an Aadhar card? ›

Under section 3 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, only a resident is entitled to get Aadhaar. Therefore, the provisions of Section 139AA quoted above regarding linking of Aadhaar to PAN or the requirement of quoting the Aadhaar number in the return shall not apply to a non-resident, who is not eligible to get Aadhaar.”

What is the American equivalent to Aadhar card? ›

Aadhaar is the Indian version of America's Social Security Number (SSN) but contains a photograph and can also serve as an address proof.

Can I fly India with Aadhar card? ›

Valid passport. Election photo identification. Valid driving license. Aadhar or m-Aadhar card.

Do I need to pay tax if I buy a land in India? ›

Property is considered a capital asset and Capital Gains Tax is levied on the gains arising from the sale of property. Such gains are calculated after adjusting the inflation rate, transfer and renovation charges.

What happens if NRI sells property in India? ›

When an NRI sells property, the buyer is liable to deduct TDS @ 20%. In case the property has been sold before 2 years(reduced from the date of purchase) a TDS of 30% shall be applicable. NRIs can claim exemptions under Section 54, Section 54 EC, and Section 54F on long-term capital gains.

How much land can you own in India? ›

Maximum of 59.95 acres of agricultural land can be purchased.

How can I avoid NRI tax in India? ›

When NRIs invest in certain Indian assets, they are taxed at 20% on the income earned. If the special investment income is the only income the NRI has during the financial year and TDS has been deducted, then such an NRI is not required to file an income tax return.

Can Indian born US citizen buy property India? ›

Yes, a Non-Resident Indian can buy property in India. This can be residential land, homes, or flats in India, but not agricultural land, plantation, or farmhouse properties.

Do Indians pay taxes on property? ›

From the Indian General Allotment Act - " Allotted Indian lands held in trust by the United States are an instrumentality employed by the United States for the benefit and control of this dependent race, and so are immune from state taxation." Trust status is what provides immunity from state taxes.

What are the rules for NRI to buy a property in India? ›

There is no restriction or limitation on purchase of property by NRI in India. Also, NRIs do not need any special permission from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In fact, RBI has issued general permission to all NRIs. However, NRIs do not have permission to purchase farmhouses, agricultural land, or plantation land.

Can NRI move back to India? ›

When a Non-Resident Indian returns to India for good, their status changes from being 'non-resident' to 'Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR)'. RNOR is basically a transitional status that's given to an NRI returning to India before they become a full-fledged resident.

Does OCI pay tax in India? ›

AN OCI's foreign income and interests from non-resident rupee bank accounts are exempted from being taxed. However, all their income from Indian sources shall be liable to Indian taxes. This is because taxability in India is not determined by the country of origin.

What countries can an American own land? ›

Countries Where U.S. Citizens Can Buy Property 2023
  • Anguilla.
  • Barbados.
  • Bermuda.
  • Cayman Islands.
  • Mexico.
  • Turks and Caicos.

Can you sell property if you are not a US citizen? ›

To both buy and sell property in the U.S. as a Resident Alien, you'll follow the same process and tax laws as U.S. citizens. You'll have to pay capital gains tax to the U.S. government, and probably similar taxes to your own home government as well.

How much US property are owned by non US citizens? ›

USDA reports that foreign persons and entities held an interest in 40.8 million acres of U.S. agricultural land in 2021, accounting for 3.1% of total privately owned land (Table 1). These data cover agricultural land and nonagricultural land.

Which country gives citizenship after buying property? ›

Portugal, Spain, and Greece are popular countries where you can buy a property and get residency among investors who want to become residents of the EU. As European residents, investors get liquid assets and become eligible to travel within the Schengen Area without visas.

Can US citizens buy property in China? ›

The answer is yes, foreigners are allowed to purchase property in China! The essential requirement is that you have studied or worked in China for at least one year on a residence permit. Foreigners are allowed to only own one residential property for dwelling purposes.

What countries can foreigners not buy property? ›

1. What are the restrictions on foreigners buying property in California? There are no specific restrictions on foreigners buying property in California.

Can a foreigner own property in India? ›

Foreign Embassy / Consulate as well as Diplomatic personnel in India are allowed to purchase / sell immovable property in India other than agricultural land / plantation property / farm house provided (i) clearance from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs is obtained for such purchase / sale, and (ii) the ...

Where is the best place to buy a house in the US for Indians? ›

Per NAR, California is the most preferred destination for Indian buyers, with 40% of the buyers in California. This is primarily because most Indian working professionals work and live in the Silicon Valley area.

Do you get a green card if you buy a house? ›

Foreign nationals are free to purchase real property in the country, as neither US citizenship nor permanent residence is not a legal requirement for real estate ownership. However, buying a house in the United States does not automatically grant you eligibility for lawful permanent residence (green card).

Do non citizens have property rights? ›

Wondering if a non-US citizen can buy property in the USA? Good news! Anyone can buy property in the US, regardless of their citizenship.

Can a foreigner have land in India? ›

Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin, who are Indian residents are allowed to purchase property in India but have to obtain the approvals and fulfil the requirements if any, prescribed by other authorities, such as the concerned State Government etc.

Who can have Right to Property in India? ›

The 44th Constitution Amendment in 1978 made the Right to Property a human right instead of a fundamental one. As per the Indian Constitution, it is now a human right, and can be enjoyed by all individuals.

Can you buy a house in another country without citizenship? ›

Individual countries have the right to place restrictions on non-citizens who want to own properties. Even if the country you're interested in allows foreigners to buy homes, you may be required to obtain special residence permits or register with a government agency before you can complete a home purchase.

What rights do non US citizens have? ›

Immigrant Civil Rights

In short, anyone regardless of citizenship, residency or immigration status can “have” Civil Rights in the United States as they are protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Can US citizens sell land in India? ›

Can A NRI Sell Agricultural Land In India? If you have land for sale in India, you may only sell it to a resident of India. NRIs are not allowed to purchase or own agricultural land in India. However, if you purchased the land while you were a resident of India, you may sell it as an NRI, but only to Indian residents.

Can I sell my house in India from USA? ›

A non-resident Indian (NRI) can sell their residential or commercial property to either an Indian Citizen or another NRI. The same goes for any foreign national such as UK, USA or Canadian citizens who may have inherited Indian property and now wish to sell their Indian assets.

Do foreigners have rights in India? ›

What are the Fundamental Rights Available to Foreigners? Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 14: Equality before law and equal protection of laws. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.

What is the rule for foreigners in India? ›

No foreigner can visit or reside in any prohibited place, declared as such under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 without the permission of the jurisdictional authority.

Can OCI inherit property in India? ›

The guidelines also state that one can buy any number of residential or commercial properties. However, they are not permitted to invest in farmland, plantation land, and agriculture land. But, they can inherit the agricultural land/plantation property/ farmland.

Can a property be gifted to anyone in India? ›

According toSection 122 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, you can transfer immovable property through agift deed. Like a sale deed, a gift deed contains the details of the property, the transferor, and the recipient. But unlike a sale deed, it allows one to transfer ownership without any exchange of money.

What is the law for property in India? ›

Article 300-A of the Constitution of India mandates that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law, thus embodying the doctrine of 'eminent domain', which provides for acquisition of private property by the Government in public interest.

How much property can a person own in India? ›

For an unmarried individual a person can hold not more than seven-and-a-half acres of land . A joint family with more than 5 members can not hold property of more than 15 acres.

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