Who is a non-resident Indian (NRI) ?

An Indian Citizen who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vacation outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad is a non-resident. (Persons posted in U. N. Organizations and officials deputed abroad by Central/state Government and Public Sector undertakings on temporary assignments are also treated as non-residents). Non-resident foreign citizen of Indian Origin are treated on par with non-residential Indian Citizen (NRIs) for the purpose of certain facilities.

Who is a person of Indian Origin ?

For the purpose of availing of the facilities of opening and maintenance of bank accounts and investments in shares/securities in India. A foreign citizen (other than a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh) is deemed to be of IndianOrigin, if, he, at any time, held and Indian Passport, or he or either of his parents or any of his grand parents was citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955).

Note: A spouse (not being citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh) of an Indian citizen or of a person if Indian Origin is also treated as a person of Indian origin for the above purposes provided the bank accounts are opened or investments in shares/securities in India are made by such persons only jointly with their NRI spouses.

For investments in immovable properties.
A foreign citizen (other than a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka or Nepal), is deemed to be of the Indian Origin if he held and Indian Passport at any time, or he or his father or parental grand-father was a citizen of India by virtue of the (Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955).

Do non-resident Indian citizen require permission of Reserve Bank to acquire residential/commercial property in India ?

NO

Do foreign citizens of Indian Origin require permission of Reserve Bank to purchase immovable property in India for their residential purpose ?

Reserve Bank has granted general permission to foreign citizens of Indian Origin, whether resident in India or abroad, to purchase immovable property in India for their bonafide residential purpose. They are, therefore, not required to obtain permission of Reserve Bank.

In what manner the purchase consideration for the residential immovable property should be paid by foreign citizen of Indian Origin under the general permission ?

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