Non-Resident Indians can buy residential property in India largely as freely as resident citizens, with a few specific rules worth understanding before you commit to a purchase in Jaipur from abroad.

Are NRIs eligible to buy?

Yes. Under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations, NRIs and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders can freely purchase residential and commercial property in India. The main restriction is on buying agricultural land, plantation property or farmhouses, which is generally not permitted — this doesn't affect standard apartment purchases.

How to fund the purchase

Payments must be made through normal banking channels — via an NRE (Non-Resident External), NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary), or FCNR (Foreign Currency Non-Resident) account. Cash payments and foreign currency notes are not permitted for property transactions. Most major Indian banks also offer NRI-specific home loans, typically requiring a Power of Attorney (POA) if you can't be physically present for parts of the transaction.

Power of Attorney: a practical necessity

Since most NRIs can't attend every step in person, a registered Power of Attorney authorizing a trusted representative (often a family member) in India to sign documents, register the property and handle possession-related formalities is standard practice. This POA should be drafted carefully by a property lawyer and, depending on your country of residence, attested at the Indian embassy or consulate.

RERA protection applies equally

RERA registration and its buyer protections apply to NRI purchasers exactly as they do to resident Indians — verify any Jaipur project's registration on rera.rajasthan.gov.in before transferring funds, regardless of where you're buying from.

Tax and repatriation

Rental income and eventual capital gains on Indian property are taxable in India, and TDS rules apply to buyers when purchasing from another NRI seller. Repatriating sale proceeds abroad is permitted up to certain limits and documentation requirements under FEMA — this area benefits from a chartered accountant familiar with NRI taxation before you sell or take major decisions.

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