Can foreign nationals acquire property in India? - FEMA - FAQ - FEMA

Answer: (a) Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Macau, Hong Kong or Democratic People s Republic of Korea (DPRK), irrespective of their residential status, cannot, without prior permission of the Reserve Bank, acquire or transfer immovable property in India, other than on lease, not exceeding five years. This prohibition shall not be applicable to an OCI. (b) Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin resident in India (except 11 countries listed at (a) above) can acquire immovable property in India. (c) Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin resident outside India can acquire/ transfer immovable property in India, on lease not exceeding five years and can acquire immovable property in India by way of inheritance from a resident. All other acquisitions/ transfers by foreign nationals will require the prior permission of RBI.