Can NRIs and OCI Cardholders Buy a Farmhouse in India?
The short answer is no for farmland and farmhouses, yes for inheriting them. Pick your situation below to see exactly where you stand.
I am an NRI or OCI cardholder and I want to
this property
Good to Know
Five Situations NRI Families Ask Us About
- 01Bought before you moved abroad?
Property you acquired while you were resident in India can usually be kept after you become an NRI.
- 02Selling inherited farmland
Agricultural land, a farmhouse or plantation held by an NRI or OCI can be sold only to a person resident in India who is an Indian citizen.
- 03Taking the money abroad
Sale proceeds of inherited property can be sent abroad from an NRO account within the annual limit, with the tax forms your CA files.
- 04A relative buying "for you"
A resident family member can buy in their own name with their own money. Buying in someone's name while you pay and control it is a benami arrangement, which the law prohibits.
- 05Power of attorney
You can use a power of attorney to manage paperwork for property you are allowed to hold. It does not make a purchase you are not allowed to make legal.
Based on India's foreign-exchange rules for non-residents (FEMA), in our own words, reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice - your residency status on the date of the deal decides what applies, so confirm with a CA or lawyer who handles FEMA cases.
Questions
NRI Farmhouse Questions, Answered
Resident family member buying, or inherited land to sort out? We can walk you through the papers on a call.
Ask Us on WhatsAppNo. Indian foreign-exchange rules do not allow NRIs or OCI cardholders to buy agricultural land, plantation property or farmhouses. They can buy residential and commercial property, and they can inherit farmland.
Usually not. Most farm plots sit on agricultural land, which OCI cardholders cannot buy. Check the recorded land classification - the marketing name of the project does not change it.
Yes. NRIs and OCI cardholders can inherit and hold agricultural land. If you sell it, the buyer must be a resident Indian citizen.
He can buy it in his own name with his own money. He cannot later gift agricultural land to you while you are an NRI, and an arrangement where he holds it for you is benami and prohibited.
A chartered accountant or lawyer who handles FEMA cases. The rules change, and your residency status on the date of the deal matters.
Buyer Resources