Many of the questions we hear about Dholera come from buyers living abroad. Distance makes every step feel riskier, so here is how the process generally works and where to be careful.
Note: Rules under foreign-exchange and tax law change. Confirm the current position with a chartered accountant and an advocate before you transact.
Can NRIs buy plots?
In general, NRIs and OCIs can purchase non-agricultural residential and commercial property in India. Agricultural land, plantation property and farmhouses are generally not open to them. That is why confirming the land's NA (non-agricultural) status matters even more for an overseas buyer.
Documents you will usually need
- Valid passport (and OCI card, if applicable)
- PAN card
- Overseas and Indian address proof
- Passport-size photographs
- Bank details of the account you will pay from
Your advocate will confirm the exact list for your project.
How payments work
Payments are typically made through normal banking channels — inward remittance from abroad, or from an NRE or NRO account. Keep proof of the source of every payment. Rules on repatriating sale proceeds differ, so ask your chartered accountant about this before you buy, not after.
Buying without visiting
You do not have to fly in for every step, but you should not buy blind either:
- Ask for a live video walk-through of the exact plot, with its number visible.
- Have a trusted relative, or your advocate, inspect it in person.
- Receive scanned copies of title, approvals and the sale agreement and review them with your own advocate.
- If you use a Power of Attorney to sign on your behalf, understand its scope and make sure it is executed and attested correctly for your country.
Common pitfalls
- Paying a large booking amount before seeing documents
- Relying on a verbal assurance instead of the written agreement
- Skipping the tax and repatriation conversation
- Using a Power of Attorney that is broader than you intended
The short version
An NRI purchase is the same as any other purchase, with two extra jobs: verify remotely, and get the paperwork right for cross-border payments. Slow, documented steps beat fast ones every time.