• He held an Indian Passport at any time or
• He or his father or paternal grandfather was a citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955. However this does not apply to citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka or Nepal.

Overseas Corporate Bodies (OCBs) are bodies predominantly owned by individuals of Indian nationality or origin resident outside India and include overseas companies, partnership firms, societies and other corporate bodies which are owned, directly or indirectly, to the extent of at least 60% by individuals of Indian nationality or origin resident outside India as also overseas trusts in which at least 60% of the beneficial interest is irrevocably held by such persons.

Such ownership interest should be actually held by them and not in the capacity as nominees. The various facilities granted to NRIs are also available with certain exceptions to OCBs as long as the ownership/beneficial interest held in them by NRIs continues to be at least 60%

• Investments by NRIs and OCBs are allowed, both, through the RBI route and also through the Government route, i.e., through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
• NRIs and OCBs are permitted to invest up to 100% equity in real estate development activity and civil aviation sectors.
• Investment, made by the NRIs and OCBs, are fully repatriable, except in the case of real estate, which has a 3-year lock-in period on original investment and, 16% cap on dividend repatriation.
• For those proposals that do not qualify under the automatic route, Government approval is granted through FIPB.

No, NRI's do not require permission to buy any immovable property in India other than agricultural / plantation property or a farmhouse.

The approved method of sending remittances into India is through normal banking channels.

Such remittances will be converted by banks at the prevailing day market rate of exchange less bank charges (if any).

Residential status and nature of transaction i.e. capital account transaction (e.g. purchase / sale of shares, property) or current account transaction (e.g. remittance of income on shares, property) are the cornerstones of FEMA. Under FEMA, certain types of transactions do not require RBI permission while others either require prior approval of RBI / Government or it is mandatory to inform RBI of the same.

Yes, a person of Indian origin resident outside India may transfer residential or commercial property in India by way of gift to a person resident in India or to a person resident outside India who is a citizen of India or to a person of Indian origin resident outside India. A Person of Indian origin resident outside India may also transfer by way of gift agriculture land / farm house / plantation property in India to a person resident in India who is a citizen of India.

The purchase consideration should be met either out of inward remittances in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from NTE / FCNR accounts maintained with banks in India.

They are required to file a declaration in form IPI 7 with the Central Office of Reserve Bank at Mumbai within a period of 90 days from the date of purchase of immovable property or final payment of purchase consideration along with a certified copy of the document evidencing the transaction and bank certificate regarding the consideration paid.

Yes. Reserve Bank has granted general permission for sale of such property. However, where the property is purchased by another foreign citizen of Indian origin, funds towards the purchase consideration should either be remitted to India or paid out of balances in NRE / FCNR accounts.

In respect of residential properties purchased on or after May 26, 1993, Reserve Bank considers applications for repatriation of sale proceeds up to the consideration amount remitted in foreign exchange for the acquisition of the property for two such properties. The balance amount of sale proceeds if any or sale proceeds in respect of properties purchased prior to May 26, 1993, will have to be credited to the ordinary non-resident rupee account of the owner of the property.

Applications for repatriation of sale proceeds are considered provided the sale takes place after three years from the date of final purchase deed or from the date of payment of final instalment of consideration amount, whichever is later.

Applications for necessary permission for remittance of sale proceeds should be made in form IPI 8 to the Central Office of Reserve Bank at Mumbai within 90 days of the sale of the property.

Authorized dealers have been granted permission to grant loans to non-resident Indian nationals for acquisition of house / flat for self-occupation on their return to India subject to certain conditions. Repayment of the loan should be made within a period not exceeding 15 years out of inward remittance through banking channels or out of funds held in the investments NRE / FCNR accounts.

Yes, provided the loan has been subsequently repaid by remitting funds from abroad or by debit to NRE / FCNR accounts.

NRO accounts can be held jointly with residents. However, NRE accounts can be held jointly with resident individual with the operating instruction "Former or Survivor".

The mere acquisition of property does not attract income tax. However, any income accruing from the ownership of it, in the form of rent (if it is let out) / annual value of the house (if is not let out and it is not the only residential property owned by that person in India) and / or capital gains (short term or long term) arising on the sale of this house or part thereof is taxable in the hands of the owner.