Buyers Guide

A citizen of India who stays abroad for employment or for carrying out any business for an uncertain period of time is considered as a non-resident. People who are posted in U.N. organizations and officials deputed abroad by Central/State Governments and Public Sector undertakings on temporary assignments are also considered as non-residents. Non-resident foreign citizens of Indian Origin are treated on par with NRI's and are offered the same facilities.

OCB (Overseas Corporate Bodies) are the bodies that are mainly owned by the individuals of Indian nationality or origin resident outside India. OCB includes all the overseas companies, trusts, partnership firms, societies and corporate bodies which are indirectly or directly owed by at least 60% of individuals of Indian nationality or origin resident outside India. However, the ownership interest should be actually held by them and not by the nominees.

NRI's are not required to take any permission of RBI while acquiring any residential and commercial property in India

Reserve Bank of India has given permission to the foreign citizens of Indian origin to purchase immovable property in India for their residential use. Hence, they do not need to acquire any permission.

While purchasing a residential immovable property in India, the foreign citizens of Indian origin are required to file a declaration in form IPI 7 with Central Office of Reserve Bank at Mumbai within 90 days from the date of purchase of that immovable property. They can also submit a final payment of purchase consideration along with a certified copy of document which is an evidence of transaction and the bank certificate of the consideration paid.

Reserve Bank of India has give permission to foreign citizens of Indian origin to sale a property. However, wherever the property is purchased by them, the funds towards the purchase consideration should be either remitted to India or the paid out of balances in NRE/FCNR accounts.

Reserve Bank of India has given permission to foreign citizens of Indian origin to acquire or dispose of a residential property by way of gift from or to any relative who is a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin (in case he is not the citizen of India) subject to compliance with applicable tax laws.

Reserve Bank of India has given permission to foreign citizens to acquire commercial properties in India other than agricultural land/farmhouse/ plantation property.

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