Can foreigners buy property/house in India

starstruck

Does the Indian gov't allow Westerners to buy property in India? I know an American who is thinking to move to India and would like to buy a house or an apt.

Haylo

Basically, no they don't allow that, Furthermore they are clamping down on people trying to live in India on tourist visas.

You can definitely give someone some money for their house, and they'll even move out and let you move into the property, but when it comes to registering the sale in your name you simply cannot.

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roopeeman

What a pitty; I thought I could buy the TajMahal!

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Sharmscharms

Haylo, by "clamping down" on people trying to live in India on tourist visas, are you talking about a night-time raid scenario with women screaming, children crying, and the poor tourists behind hauled off to jail? If not, please clarify!

We are in the unfortunate situation of being eligible for PIO cards(in the process of getting them), but my oldest two children (who are stepchildren of an Indian citizen) are not eligible for the PIO card. So we've had to settle for tourist visas for them (they are also not eligible for the entry visa as neither my husband or I will be working in India). I would like to know what hassles we might be up against. Maybe because I'll be a PIO card holder, it won't be as much of a problem with them living with me on tourist visas (as long as we make a run every six months.)

By the way, I thought that with a PIO card you could buy property, just not agricultural land.

curtdfw

PIO cardholders are permitted to own property in India excluding, as you mention, agricultural property.

There are plenty of people that will be happy to take your money (especially in places like Goa) but legally you're up de creek with a tourist visa.

darkside_of_d_sun

^^ After two or three consecutive tourist visa's GOI may refuse to issue even a 3 month visa.

And yes, PIO does allow you to buy property legally in India because once you have a PIO card you are no more a complete alien to the Republic of India, which the people on tourist visa's are.

Cheers,
Shamik

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Haylo

No, I mean the increasing reluctance to issue back to back visas - Kathmandu is now mostly issuing three month visas and refusing many repeat applications.

Most nationalities are only able to aquire six month visas, so getting a ten year visa and leaving the country every 180 days is not an option for many people.

starstruck

what is a PIO card and how does one qualify for it ?

curtdfw

PIO means Person of Indian Origin -- if either you, your parents etc. are of Indian origin, or you're married to an Indian, you can get what is basically a 15-year visa with, among other things, work and property rights in India.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_diaspora

Sharmscharms

I assume that you've had a lot of friends or acquaintances who have been refused a Nepalese visa after having acquired one multiple time previously? Or is it something you have read about?

I'd hate to get to the Nepalese border with my two young sons and be refused a Nepalese visa. Nepal would be closer for us because I'll be living in Ferozepur. If we can't do it from there, then we'll just have to figure something else out.

Haylo

Not at all, Nepalese visas are available on arrival, and as far as I know they are freely available. I don't know anyone who has been refused one, and I haven't seen anyone on here report any problems getting a Nepalese visa.

I was talking about people applying for back to back INDIAN visas at the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

There is a long running sticky thread on the IndiaMike visa forum about applying for Indian visas in Kathmandu, obviously the initial posts which were from 2006 are out of date, but the later posts do have plenty of IndiaMike's experiences, which people may find helpful when making plans.

That's not relevant to you though, as presumably being American you have ten year Indian visas and just have to leave the country and reenter every 180 days.

Cmefly

Can anyone give me information regarding buying property in India for foreigners?
I'm interested in buying, but I'm not sure if foreigners even can buy, since there is no immigration possibilities for us.
What are the rules for buying, any information is appreciated.

Thanks very much.


Moderator note:
I've moved your query to this thread - and check out the other threads listed at the bottom of the page here.

dzibead

Cmefly, the short answer to your question is that for all practical purposes foreigners cannot buy property in India. There are narrow exceptions in the case of foreigners who are able to establish legal "residency" by, for example, long-term employment. But otherwise, it's not permitted.

Here's what the Reserve Bank of India website has to say about the subject:

"Q.6. Can a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India purchase immovable property in India?

A.6. No. A foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India cannot purchase any immovable property in India. But, he/she may take residential accommodation on lease provided the period of lease does not exceed five years. In such cases, there is no requirement of taking any permission of or reporting to Reserve Bank".

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Cmefly

dzibead, Thank you for the reply !
Just found all the other question about the same issue.
I kinda thought it won;t be possible, now I will buy elsewhere...And still travel to India !

Thanks again !

dzibead

Sounds like a sensible plan, Cmefly!