What will happen to my property in India when I become an American Citizen?

lilocomotiv

New Member
I am bron in India and just got my US citizenship. I have some properties(Land/House) and bank accounts in India in my name. Everybody in my family is now US citizens. Is it OK to manage those properties while you are a US citizen? Can I sell or buy real estate in India? PIO or OIC will help in this situation? Your expert advice needed!

Thanks in Advance
 
I would do PIO frist since it only takes week and than apply for OIC that I heard taked few months to get.But either way that should not affect you properties back India.:rolleyes:
 
You should have asked this question before you got your USC, don't you think? ;)

Anyway... get a PIO or OIC (OIC gives you the most previlages).

PIO - You cannot own agriculture lands (rest should be OK)
OIC - You can also own agriculture lands along with house, plots, etc.

Go check the following site for more details... http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm

I struggled with this myself, and my interpretation of the current law raises no red flags... I would suggest you read the above link, and let me know what your take is on the law.
 
In the interim/purgatory between USC and OIC, one would hope that you don't face any legal challenges to or decide to sell the property.
 
oh god..what have you done..

Oh man..you lost all your property in India..what will you do now?;)
just kidding

I think there is no problem here unless you own any agricultural land..I suppose an OCI cannot purchase agri land..but if you already owned some land before you became citizen..I dont know the implication then..better talk to an attorney in India..

(Belated)Congratulations on becoming citizen
 
I am bron in India and just got my US citizenship. I have some properties(Land/House) and bank accounts in India in my name. Everybody in my family is now US citizens. Is it OK to manage those properties while you are a US citizen?
---YES
Can I sell or buy real estate in India? PIO or OIC will help in this situation? Your expert advice needed!

Thanks in Advance

The property like home, agricultural land that is on your name before you became US citizen has no problems. After getting US citizen you still can buy/sell , home/house but will not be able to buy agricultural land/farm house on your name. You CAN buy nonagricultural land.

http://www.nriinternet.com/INDIA/NRI information/NRIs to India.htm

http://www.immigrationboards.com/vi...der=asc&start=0
http://boards.immigrationportal.com...3&page=99&pp=15
http://groups.msn.com/r2iclub/general.msnw
http://groups.msn.com/r2iclub/gener...560131397030432
http://groups.msn.com/R2INRIFinanceAndInvestments


Some other useful links:
http://www.manupatra.com/ASP/newsletter 119.asp
http://www.hcilondon.net/visa/visa-formalities.html
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/FAQ_Registration.htm
http://india.gov.in/overseas/nri.php
http://www.indialiaison.com/pio.htm
http://www.banknetindia.com/books/handbook.htm
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/rbi/page3.htm
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/FAQs.htm
http://www.femaonline.com/prohibited_investments.htm
http://www.mha.nic.in
http://hcilondon.net/Overseas-India...p/indexnew.html
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/in...14/annex_h.html
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/NOTE VERBALE.pdf
http://www.publications.parliament....xt/51019w02.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_nationality_law

What can NRIs / PIOs and now OCIs do -

http://iic.nic.in
http://iic.nic.in/piocard.htm

Citizenship related provisions

http://www.indialawinfo.com/bareacts/citi.html

A useful section on GOI website for Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). The best thing abt this one is that it puts all relevant links at one source.

http://india.gov.in/overseas/nri.php

Consular and other issues of PIOs -

http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter27.pdf

What are the rights of PIO card holders ? Review of PIO card scheme -
http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter24.pdf

Original proposal for Dual Citizenship
http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter36.pdf
http://www.samachar.com/features/210605-middle.html
http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter10.pdf
http://indiandiaspora.nic.in


I am an NRI and am trying to build a house in India. Can I buy an acre or two and build a house. The house is classified as garden land and not agricultural land.

John

Answer: As an NRI you will not be able to purchase agricultural land or so-called garden land. You can get the same converted and then purchase it.



One good link on all FEMA related matters is http://www.femaonline.com/index.htm

and specially section related to immoveable property is http://www.femaonline.com/fema/FAQ/...le_property.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Moderator, Please add this to FAQ of USC

Thank you Ginnu, this one's a keeper.

You are indeed a veteran of this site with ~ 11,000 posts!!
 
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